03-12-2013, 01:04 PM | #1 | ||
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Doug's Garden - A RL Dynasty... of sorts
A little back story here... We had a tree fall on our house right at a year ago. Anyway- long story short we bought a new house in July. It has always been a dream of mine to have a lot of edible food in the back yard. I figured I'd start easy. Hopefully over time the plants will grow, as well as I'll be building beds / hopefully a self watering system, other various things I think I need.
This rl dynasty is more just to follow my own progress, watch the progress of the plants, and keep track of notes / thoughts / ideas. If anyone has advice, words of encouragement or anything feel free to post them. I'm pretty much a complete noob when it comes to gardening so we'll see how it goes. 16 blackberry bushes - for the black berry bushes I took an old swing set left by the previous owner, put some lattice on it so the vines will climb it, and I put some cross boards to be able to hang a hammock inside of it. It turned out pretty awesome, can't wait to relax on the hammock and pick blackberries right off the bush. I ordered 4 of each of the following plants: Product: Tupi Thorny 1 gal. Size Product: Prime Ark 45 1 gal. Size Product: Kiowa Thorny 1 gal. Size Product: Brazo Thorny Finished product: This is one of the types of blackberries planted: I planted these all on Feb 16. So it has been almost a month, all plants are showing signs of growth except 1 Kiowa, I'll give it another week or so as the weather has still been pretty cold. If no sign of life after this warm weekend I'll go ahead and order a replacement. I planted 6 Blueberry bushes: Product: Ochlocknee ( Rabbiteye): Zone 7-10 late season 1 gal. Size Product: Biloxi ( southern high bush): Zone 8-10 mid season 1 gal. Size Product: Jewel (southern high bush): Zone 7-10 early-mid season 1 gal. Size Product: Misty (southern highbush): Zone 5-10 early season 4 inch Size Product: Windsor ( southern high bush): Zone 7-9 early season 1 gal. Size Product: Sunshine Blue (southern highbush): Zone 5-10 mid season 1 gal. Size The beds (were left by previous owner): As you can see to the far right, I replanted a Satsuma the previous owners had- it was in bad shape where it was located, and doesn't appear to making the transition well. I'll most likely pull it up in the coming weeks and plant a new satsuma in its place. One type of the blueberries I planted: I also planted 6 pepper plants, I did 2 to each pot (rather large pots) 2 Jalepeano 2 Bell Pepper 1 Cajun Belle - Bell Pepper 1 Banana Pepper: The cajun belle & banana pepper were actually mistake purchases- someone had put them in the wrong spot in the store, but when I got home and noticed I decided to just keep them. All the peppers were planted this past weekend, March 9th I don't have many pictures of the plants yet, if I get home at a decent time tonight I will try to take a picture of each so I can follow the progress starting from today. Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-12-2013 at 01:07 PM. |
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03-12-2013, 01:24 PM | #2 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Pictures of my actual peppers, planted 3/9
Hopefully I get off of work in time to get some good pictures of the actual plants, for all the different types. |
03-13-2013, 05:41 PM | #3 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Just wanted to get these uploaded, I'll come back later and identify each...
Product: Brazo Thorny Product: Tupi Thorny 1 gal. Size Product: Prime Ark 45 1 gal. Size Product: Kiowa Thorny 1 gal. Size Jalepeano Green Bell Pepper Sweet Banana & Cajun Belle Product: Windsor ( southern high bush): Zone 7-9 early season 1 gal. Size Product: Ochlocknee ( Rabbiteye): Zone 7-10 late season 1 gal. Size Product: Jewel (southern high bush): Zone 7-10 early-mid season 1 gal. Size Product: Biloxi ( southern high bush): Zone 8-10 mid season 1 gal. Size Product: Sunshine Blue (southern highbush): Zone 5-10 mid season 1 gal. Size Product: Misty (southern highbush): Zone 5-10 early season 4 inch Size R.I.P. Satsuma Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-14-2013 at 08:20 AM. |
03-13-2013, 05:53 PM | #4 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Sep 2004
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Very cool.
My parents have a blackberry bush in their backyard that has basically taken over. The blackberries not only killed off my roses, they put a good dent in my mom's ferns, which I didn't think would ever happen. Great eating once they're ripe, though. Have you thought about planting tomatoes at all? My folks did that, too, and had great success with it until they stopped growing them after a few years.
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03-13-2013, 09:10 PM | #5 | |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Quote:
I have a lot of wild blackberries at my hunting camp and I love them, only problem is that they don't get very big and are a pain to pick. Have thought about tomatoes, but I don't eat them, so wouldn't do me much good. I still may though, could get some to mix with my peppers and make a good salsa Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-13-2013 at 09:13 PM. |
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03-14-2013, 08:37 AM | #6 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Added the plant names to each picture.
Also wanted to post this just as a reminder to myself down the road That is the Oasis Complete Gardening System- they are going for around $600 online. Which I couldn't see paying, I'm thinking I could build something similar, for cheaper. This would be a next year at earliest project, if at all. |
03-17-2013, 05:44 PM | #7 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Added a couple more things today- the stawberry pot, was able to plant 8 stawberry plants in it. Garlic Chive? and a few onions. |
03-17-2013, 05:49 PM | #8 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Would like to build one of these in the future... looks pretty simple
http://www.chesapeakecrafts.com/STRAWBERRY_TOWER.php |
03-18-2013, 10:34 AM | #9 |
College Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
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Cool idea for a dynasty.
What is your plan for the self-watering system? I'm currently planning one out for my house in NoVA and am not above stealing ideas that sound good. |
03-18-2013, 11:45 AM | #10 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Something I've just thought about briefly right now, I'm a tax accountant so busy as can be this time of year- but some type of watering system is a must before the summer really gets going- it gets very hot down here in south Louisisna and a month without rain isn't uncommon.
Easiest would be simply bury PVC pipe in the yard to each plant area, then set up a nozzle at each area with a short hose into a spinkler- then connect that to my hose line, when I get home every day turn it on for 15 minutes or whatever is needed, and then turn it off- or hook up to a timer if there is one that would work for what I need. The other is simply just the little hoses that lowes sells, my yard isn't that big so digging to each area wouldn't be that big of a deal. The only hard part would be digging from each bed to the other and burrying the line so it doesn't get damaged when doing yard work... Basically would be one of these timers to hit the 3 areas in my yard Amazon.com: Orbit 56233D 3-Outlet Digital Watering Timer: Patio, Lawn & Garden And then this hose system... Amazon.com: Nelson 50180 Simple Soaker Flower Watering Sprinkler with 50-Foot Tubing, Five Nozzles with Plastic Spikes, Risers, End Plug Set, and Deflectors: Patio, Lawn & Garden Can buy 100 foot line for $10, so that would cover me... I haven't actually touched one of these to know the exact set up, but it looks pretty simple. Amazon.com: Rain Bird Landscape Dripline System 1/4-Inch Tubing - 100-Foot Roll T22-100: Patio, Lawn & Garden Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-18-2013 at 11:47 AM. |
03-18-2013, 11:56 AM | #11 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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I told my wife I was done with planting, but I think one more bed won't hurt...
I'm thinking of a two-tiered bed like this... ________________________________ l l l_______________________________l l l l_______________________________l I haven't decided if I would double up on 2x4s (could maybe use 1x's if they have them treated) to make the front bed 8 inches high, the back 16 inches high, or 2x6s (a lot less work... again 1x's if they have them) but a lot closer to the ground... I think I will do a 12 foot bed, just to make it easy and less cuts. Will probably cut a scrap 2x4 I have laying around into stakes to put into each corner to be able to sink it into place a little bit and give it some good support. |
03-18-2013, 01:40 PM | #12 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Ok, I looked into my sprinkler system a little.
I'm thinking a timer will run me $25-$35. PVC I will probably do one pipe out to the middle of my yard and do a 3 way split there, going to my 3 areas. Then I will come out of the ground in an area I don't hit with the mower (not sure how I want to do that...then come out of the ground and I think it's just a matter of simply putting a sprinkler head on it. I may look into the kind that pop up, and go back down if possible, would make my life easier- not sure how they connect, or work exactly though) |
03-21-2013, 02:18 PM | #13 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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To save on dirt cost and not lose any planting space I came up with a little better design for my bed.
I'll probably make the 2nd bed separate, 3 1x4s high, attached to a 2x4, or 4x4 (imagine the bottom piece missing) then simply set it into place and use a scrap 1x4 to attach it to the other bed and hold it in place. The reason for the two tiered is it'll be sitting up against a fence so I think it would look better, be easier to work in. Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-21-2013 at 02:21 PM. |
03-23-2013, 06:58 PM | #14 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Ok- went ahead and got my bed built, and filled
23 landscape timbers, few pieces of re-bar...a lot of dirt, and a few plants. Total to build was $100 in materials, probably close to another $100 in dirt, and around $50 in plants. Dirt was so much because I wanted to mix some good potting soil in with just cheap top soil. Could maybe save money here, but I'd rather put in a little extra and help them get started right. Laying the foundation Going together pretty easy... Friend showed up, helped out- finished it up really quick Took only an hour or so to build- really went together quick Will get a close up, and pics of each plant to follow tomorrow... been raining all afternoon... |
03-23-2013, 07:19 PM | #15 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
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I don't think we've had a dynasty like this before. Good idea
I have three plants out on the balcony and that's it: oregano, parsley, and sweet basil. Such is apartment life, I guess. SI
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03-24-2013, 09:57 AM | #16 |
College Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
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Nicely done. The bed looks great!
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03-24-2013, 10:41 AM | #17 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Thanks guys- I got a little sun this morning so was able to take some quick pictures of everything to track the progress. I'm going to move to 1 or 2 pictures per post to keep the thread from getting too image heavy and loading slow.
The finished product Very happy with how it all turned out I had a little bit excess dirt... just used it to sort of level the ground in front of the bed. Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:42 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:43 AM | #18 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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I've already ate 4 strawberries- they were really good
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:45 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:44 AM | #19 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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You'll notice I'm one pot short- I took those peppers and moved them to the bed, put the pot on my patio and am going to try to find a "Mosquito Plant" aka- citranella. |
03-24-2013, 10:47 AM | #20 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Satsuma hasn't been replaced yet, it's dead
Misty Southern Highbush Sunshine Blue? |
03-24-2013, 10:47 AM | #21 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Jewel |
03-24-2013, 10:47 AM | #22 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Biloxi
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03-24-2013, 10:47 AM | #23 |
College Benchwarmer
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Location: Louisiana
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Windsor
I really need to get in there and weed the beds soon. Tax season is almost over then I'll be able to put in some more work on everything Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:48 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:48 AM | #24 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Ochlocknee?
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03-24-2013, 10:49 AM | #25 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Brazo
Tupi Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:49 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:49 AM | #26 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Prime Ark 45
Kiowa |
03-24-2013, 10:50 AM | #27 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Lines a bed I had with onions just to see how it would work..
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03-24-2013, 10:50 AM | #28 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Onion Chives
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:55 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:51 AM | #29 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Cayenne Pepper
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:55 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:51 AM | #30 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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No Tag = Cantalope
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:55 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:51 AM | #31 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Watermelon - absolutely no idea how these grow, or how they will turn out. If they start vining too much and take over I'll just trim them back or rip them out
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:55 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:51 AM | #32 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Can't read the tags, pretty sure it's basil
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:56 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:51 AM | #33 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Squash
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:54 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:51 AM | #34 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Parsley
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:56 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:51 AM | #35 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Oregano maybe?
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:57 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:52 AM | #36 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Pretty sure it's a Yellow Bell
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:57 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:52 AM | #37 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Tabasco Pepper
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:53 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:52 AM | #38 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Red Bell Pepper
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:57 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:52 AM | #39 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Not sure, a "sweet" pepper though
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:58 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:52 AM | #40 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Think they called it an orange delicious snack pepper?
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:58 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:52 AM | #41 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Another red
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:58 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:52 AM | #42 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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No clue... some type of pepper
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:58 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:52 AM | #43 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Cajun Belle
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:53 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:53 AM | #44 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Banana Pepper
Last edited by Doug5984 : 03-24-2013 at 10:53 AM. |
03-24-2013, 10:59 AM | #45 |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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And with that I'm done planting for the year- with the exception of my mosquito plant, and my replacement satsuma.
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03-24-2013, 12:18 PM | #46 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
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Very cool dynasty. I'm feeling inspired!
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03-24-2013, 12:46 PM | #47 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
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So, uh- did you just pick plants at random? How did you not know what you were planting
SI
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03-24-2013, 12:48 PM | #48 |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Back in Houston!
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That's sweet basil, looking at the big leaves. Yeah, looks like oregano SI
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Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!" |
03-24-2013, 08:36 PM | #49 | |
College Benchwarmer
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Louisiana
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Quote:
Heh, I knew when I bought them. It was raining when I was planting so I had a general idea of how I wanted to group them- but wasn't sure exactly where each plant ended up where. I'm pretty sure I had them all labeled right except the peppers- that was more of a random lets plant a bunch of different types and see how they turn out. |
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03-24-2013, 08:42 PM | #50 |
Coordinator
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Utah
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This is awesome. I want to plant some small herb pots for indoors, but since my girlfriend is anti gardening I will be the one planting her flower beds this year...she spends, I plant. We will see how that pans out for me.
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