My 2010 gardening plan

[tamago23]

This year is as ambitious as some previous years, but with a lot more know-how and planning going into it. This year I'm trying three different techniques: using self-watering planters (SWP), square-foot gardening, and companion gardening

Comments

[gentlemaitresse]

Are there other blueberries in the area for yours to cross-pollinate with? I don't think blueberries self-pollinate, or at least not very well. That's why we planted several, of two different varieties.

[tamago23]

Tophat is a container hybrid, so it's designed to be self-pollinating. The whole self-pollination issue is why I'm not going to bother trying raspberries or blackberries in containers though. :/

Most of my stuff I pollinate by hand, because that greatly increases the yield. So plants like tomatoes and strawberries, I'll use a soft paintbrush and go from one flower to the next. But I don't want to assist with even more pollination than I'm already assisting with. :)

[gentlemaitresse]

I figured with everything else you must have already had this covered. I'd just never heard of self-pollinating blueberries before. Then again, I am fortunate to have plenty of space for regular outdoor in-the-ground gardening. :-)

Good luck with your garden, and I'm hoping for plenty of photos!

[tamago23]

I can't WAIT until I have a backyard space. :) Although this year elixxir, who lives fairly close to me, is letting me come over and plant stuff in her backyard! Of course the products will be pretty much consumed by her family (three adults & three kids, so they'll have no problem consuming any consumables) but it'll nonetheless be fun to see how things do in the ground. :)

[elixxir]

Hell no woman - it's a 50/50 split on consumables or it's no go!! When you consider our 3 kids look at veggies like poo and Kay would rather eat dirt it's really only Fratboy and I that are excited about home grown veggies. Though I am hoping that by watching us plant and seeing them grow the boys will be more interested in eating them.

But this here is exactly why I haven't gardened successfully yet. How in the hell do you figure all that out? It's like a PhD in agriculture or something. SO INTIMIDATING!! But I did buy some asparagus bulbs last weekend and a strawberry patio planter. And some flowering fertilizer and some top soil but not much cuz I have no earthly idea what I"m doing. :)

[tamago23]

Well, I can't say I'd say no to sharing in the consumables. ;) A lot of the veggie varieties I get are things that should specifically appeal to kids. For example, the carrots are black (like this), which kids tend to find more interesting than regular carrots. The tomatoes we're growing are mostly multi-colored cherry varieties, and even the bell peppers are mini - the peppers are about 2" tall when full-grown. The pumpkins should get the kids interested, especially since you can carve your name into a growing pumpkin and then it'll scar over and the name will still be visible once it's full-grown (and they can easily be turned into pies). Sugar snap peas are delicious straight off the vine/raw - my boys LOVE them that way (I do give them a quick rinse). Aunt Molly's Ground Cherries are cherry-sized fruits that taste like sweet pineapple, and they come in a paper husk