How Does Your Garden Grow?

[DanZac]

A radio thing about a guy's year of food self sufficiency:

Growing Solo - One Million Calories - BBC Sounds

Max Cotton's year of food self-sufficiency in Somerset.

www.bbc.co.uk

Thanks for sharing that one.
It was a nice bit of easy listening and thoroughly recommended if anyone's got an hour to waste.

 

[RaceDiagnostics]

Dinner!

Courtyard garden and veg plot blooming.

 

[Onoff]

Half following @DAPPH 's instructions I planted 4 butternut squash seeds in a Pret, carboard salad bowl that had a clear snap on lid.

Neglected them, they got chewed but two battled through. Put in a 20L tub. Beans in the other two tubs:

https://flic.kr/p/2q7qDpp

Trying to train them up the poles:

https://flic.kr/p/2q7qdUm

 

[DAPPH]

Half following @DAPPH 's instructions I planted 4 butternut squash seeds in a Pret, carboard salad bowl that had a clear snap on lid.

Neglected them, they got chewed but two battled through. Put in a 20L tub. Beans in the other two tubs:

https://flic.kr/p/2q7qDpp

Trying to train them up the poles:

https://flic.kr/p/2q7qdUm

In previous times the wind caught staked in pot climbers and tipped them over when the plants became sails . Now for most of the heavy curbits etc. I simply unroll storedc away when not in use pre cut lengths of stout pig wire fencing to which I've made hooks on one cut edge so I can run the fence round a tub having at least a foot clearance all round then as the plants grow feed the tendrils in and out the wire
keeping them low and manageable . I've got one outside tubbed Ukrainian tomato plant that is needing the supporting stake roped to one of these curbit rings before the Cooking fat the cat has another go at catching bees & butterflies on it

They grow like crazy if you get some dried pelleted chicken muck . wear some decent rubber gloves as it's evil stuff in cuts or open sores etc .
Put a single cup of it in a rose free ( the spray head bit ) watering can , let it stand a few hours to break down , stir it well , then carefully without getting any of the elixir on the plants or fruits add a pint or so the tub soils. It's good for strawberries too but deffo avoid the berries and greenery as it can give you ecoli or similar if used like this . don't use on root crops as they grow like cows udders having many roots on them . Found it OK to use on very baby herbs that will weather a month or so before cropping and not give bacterial upsets to tums & bums Do wash them off & let them stand in salty water for five minutes or so & rinse off a few times before eating them .. Milton baby bottle satirizer made up as the directions can also be used on veg & fruits as a safe sterilant when rinsed off too .

 

[RichardM]

Carrots have been disappointing so far - the dog prefers shop bought ones this year!
On a positive note blackberry foraging is going well.

 

[Onoff]

Now for most of the heavy curbits etc. I simply unroll storedc away when not in use pre cut lengths of stout pig wire fencing to which I've made hooks on one cut edge so I can run the fence round a tub having at least a foot clearance all round then as the plants grow feed the tendrils in and out the wire
keeping them low and manageable .

I've got a roll of this wire, green plastic coated mesh. Holes are circa 4"X3":

https://flic.kr/p/2oNoHkZ

I'm thinking of cable tying a square of the same mesh on the bottom of the 4 sides to make like a basket. The tub sat dead centre of this square.

 

[Onoff]

@DAPPH like this? Cleared and levelled a bit of dirt. Positioned the frame and moved the tub onto it. Got to put the last side on it. I've a foot clearance all round the tub to each side.

https://flic.kr/p/2q7MFQg

https://flic.kr/p/2q7UxHZ

What now? Cut the cable ties that I attached the stalks to the canes with? Then attach to the new mesh?

 

[selectedgrub]

 

[Kram]

Mango from couple days back. It has since straightened up and started to unfold the leaves.

 

[Sergei Slovenija]

Almost dislocated my arm. I need to remake this dull drill, adding a piece of drill bit and a piece of spiral. And probably using a hammer drill with a side handle would be a smarter solution than a cordless tool.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Kram]

Almost dislocated my arm. I need to remake this dull drill, adding a piece of drill bit and a piece of spiral. And probably using a hammer drill with a side handle would be a smarter solution than a cordless tool.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

Try gentle pressure and keep pulling up to clear the bit. It works better atleast on a petrol one.

 

[Sergei Slovenija]

Try gentle pressure and keep pulling up to clear the bit. It works better atleast on a petrol one.

The problem is not in clearing the soil. The problem is in the drill bits. It is a blunt piece of pipe. It cannot cut into dense clay so that the auger thread catches and starts working. And a screwdriver without a side handle is definitely not for dry clay, you can break your arm.

 

[Kram]

Yes you could do with a long handle extension and second handle. Tbh its asking a lot from a drill, it will be geared far too fast. Petrol ones are fun, one of my favorite tools!
Wear a knee pad and rest the drill body against it to stop rotation.

 

[Kram]

Mango is making good progress, the photo above was from Thurs 1st Aug and heres yesterday and today. About an inch per day?

Unsure if it wants full sun or shade while its a sapling?

 

[Sergei Slovenija]

Yes you could do with a long handle extension and second handle. Tbh its asking a lot from a drill, it will be geared far too fast. Petrol ones are fun, one of my favorite tools!
Wear a knee pad and rest the drill body against it to stop rotation.

I need to plant seedlings in 6x6 cm peat pots, a petrol auger is too big. The root system needs to develop in depth and get stronger in the first year, for my plantation of perennial medicinal plants. Deep holes are needed dia ~80 mm.

 

[Sergei Slovenija]

Mango is making good progress, the photo above was from Thurs 1st Aug and heres yesterday and today. About an inch per day?
View attachment 459651
View attachment 459652

Unsure if it wants full sun or shade while its a sapling?

Oops

Growing mango trees can be a rewarding experience if you understand their specific needs for light, shade, and watering. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you grow mango trees successfully:

## **Light Requirements**
Mango trees thrive in full sun and require at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce flowers and fruit. If growing indoors, place the mango tree near a south-facing window to ensure it gets enough light. However, for optimal growth, it's best to move the tree outside during the summer months[1][4][7].

## **Shade Considerations**
While mango trees prefer full sun, young seedlings should be protected from intense, direct sunlight until they mature. Using a shade cloth can help prevent stress and damage from excessive heat[2].

## **Watering Regime**
The watering needs of mango trees vary depending on their age and the local climate:

### **Young Trees**
- **Initial Weeks:** Water every other day to help establish roots.
- **After Establishment:** Reduce to once a week[5][8].

### **Mature Trees**
- **General Watering:** Mature trees are more drought-tolerant but should be watered deeply every two weeks during dry spells. Ensure the soil dries out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot[5][6].
- **Flowering and Fruiting Stages:** Increase watering frequency during these stages to support fruit development. Avoid watering 2-3 months before the flowering season to encourage better flowering and fruit set[6][8].

### **Seasonal Adjustments**
- **Dry Season:** Deep watering every two weeks.
- **Wet Season:** Minimal to no additional watering, depending on rainfall[5][6].

### **Pro Tips**
- **Mulching:** Apply mulch around the base of the tree to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.
- **Soil Moisture Monitoring:** Use a soil moisture meter to avoid overwatering and ensure the roots receive adequate oxygen[5][6].

## **Soil and Drainage**
Mango trees prefer well-draining soil, such as sandy loam, with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. Good drainage is crucial to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot[4][7].

## **Temperature and Humidity**
Mango trees thrive in warm temperatures (above 21°C or 70°F) and prefer humidity levels above 50%. If growing indoors, mist the tree regularly to maintain humidity and avoid placing it in drafty areas[4][7].

By following these guidelines, you can successfully grow and care for a mango tree, whether indoors or outdoors, ensuring it receives the right amount of light, shade, and water for healthy growth and fruit production.

Citations:
[1] https://www.marthastewart.com/how-to-grow-a-mango-from-seed-7563704
[2]

[3] https://www.worldagroforestry.org/sites/default/files/users/admin/mango-planting-manual.pdf
[4] https://www.thespruce.com/grow-mango-seeds-1902625
[5] https://greg.app/how-often-to-water-mango/
[6] https://wikifarmer.com/mango-water-requirements-and-irrigation-systems/
[7] https://www.lovethegarden.com/uk-en/growing-guide/how-grow-and-care-mango-trees
[8] https://nhb.gov.in/pdf/fruits/mango/man006.pdf

 

[Morrisman]

Birds. I have a bird feeder in my garden, that I stick new feed balls in about once a week. Except suddenly they’re not being eaten. Same balls I always use, but the ones in it now have been there a couple of weeks and hardly been touched. Have all our feathery friends migrated?

 

[DAPPH]

I've got a roll of this wire, green plastic coated mesh. Holes are circa 4"X3":

https://flic.kr/p/2oNoHkZ

I'm thinking of cable tying a square of the same mesh on the bottom of the 4 sides to make like a basket. The tub sat dead centre of this square.

Make it a circle they are much stronger only need three ties , it's easier to roll and they can be unrolled & stored flat against a wall , under a plank or left in rolls and stacked two high in a corner area . A few years ago I made two rolls the same size pi D to give a metre drum , cable tied them one on top of the other and grew runner & french climbing beans up them as the rolls stood just inside of my raised square foot veg beds . IIRC two runner beans every four inches over the diameter gave us loads of beans . The rolls were staked with guy ropes to stop them becoming sails on windy days.

The peas in the pictures are on a 1.5 mtr high hoop of wire with a four foor base staked with two six foot garden stakes down the middle

The runner beans are four beans each pole on 2.5 mtr length of 20 mm 1.5 mm thick walled alu tube as a triabgle top end plugged A threaed rod inth top and set in a small trianglr of alu wioth upswept wings so it sits well in the four square foot bed . sunk down a bout 15 inches on each leg . as the beans grew around the poles the anchoring of the poles increased . It has not happened so far, over 8 years or more , for the wind to rip them out.

The skinny black carbon fibre poles carrying home collected seed ( 6 yrs plus ) climbing stringless French beans on the other hand have often been torn out by strong winds as the poles are slippery and the beans cannot cling to them well for a good anchoring .

Now to try and make my recently taken pictures jump from my camera over the computer & onto the thread

 

[Onoff]

Make it a circle they are much stronger only need three ties , it's easier to roll and they can be unrolled & stored flat against a wall , under a plank or left in rolls and stacked two high in a corner area .

Ta. How much bigger than my blue tub should the wire cage be?

At the mo there's about a foot all round.

One thing I think is that in the pot, the soil level is about 18" off the ground so they haven't got much mesh height left to climb up.

I don't get either how I'm going to access any fruits that grow in the middle in order to support them.

 

[DAPPH]

Nick a pair of tights from someone down the pub and cut them into hammock strips for supporting your fruits ,tied across the mesh or on rods across the mesh .

By extending up another ring you get six feet or so run the tendrils round & up the ring anti clock ( to follow the sun ) .

Last year we had two of the black 25 litre planters in each ring and stuffed a cut down its length six foot length of roofing baton with bench routed off corners for a pole( makes the sawn baton nice & smooth ) , then popped one in each of the tubs to the floor and cable tied to the top edge of each ring ,

Accessing fruits is easy . pick them through the mesh using secateurs scissors or a sharp knife if needed if small enough or temporarily separate the rings and take them from the opening then cable tie them back together.

In the bottom picture is a black tub and a smaller white tub inthe same rolled 3.5 mtrs (roughly pi x D ) of the pig wire . This year because warmer weather was nearly two months late in arriving we have grown a lot less stuff that we'd hoped to do . It will still give us a few things we wanted such as tiny chilli peppers , massive Ukranian tomatoes in our glasshouse , loads of strawberries which have just flowered and are starting to form fruits