May Garden

Things to do

Things to BUY:

- 6 more 8ft. 1x2 in. poles, for tomatoes  (1.25 each x 6= $7.50)

- 4 ft. mesh fencing, that needs to be dug a ft. deep, for rat control. (ehh around $10)

- they only eat my PEPPERS

- Hose, Nozzle, & wheel knob faucet handle (ours is somehow missing!) 

(H= 15, N=10, WKFH=.50=====$25.50)

- One Lrg. bag of Garden soil ($10), 

- Two bags Potting soil, Im going to yard sales looking for pots for the flowers. ($12)

My BUDGET: $65.00 

Hopefully I can keep to my budget, I'll post my receipt afterwards.

Things to DO:

- Plant- Zucchinis, Peppers, Eggplant, Melons, & the rest of the Tomatoes.

--- and the flowers, I have a ton, but no where to plant them yet

- Get the bed for the Soy Beans ready and find where I put the Inoculant.

Finals Week

Newly Planted TOMATOES. 

TOMATO SUPPORT:  I Decided to go with 8ft. 1x2's, I think it will work. 

I dug a hole about 18 inches deep, put the pole in and then anchored it with garden pebbles at the base.

They look great I just hope they last the summer.

By the way: My spacing isn't correct, they should be a lot more spaced out, It got a little cramped half way down the line.

My Strawberries that are doing great, I already have 5 little green guys growing.

Sienna Lounging.

Behind her is the first row of Tomatoes, a row of nine. (Only 5 planted so far)

The tall poles are the five I planted, the teepee on either side is for the Roma Tomatoes 

Roma is the only variety I'm growing this year that is Determinate

 The other 4, Mortgage Lifter, Sungold, Rainbow Cherry, and Black Krim are all Indeterminate.

The difference????

Determinate- bush types which are usually early bearing and do not need staking, this happens because they are genetically controlled & their terminal buds set fruit and stop the plant from growing 

Indeterminate- are the later-maturing varieties that are taller and need staking.  

I do little 5 ft. bamboo pole teepees for my Determinates help them along.

Sometimes the fruit gets to heavy for the vine. (I baby them)

I have been so sick for the past week, worst timing.

So in the past, to sum it up real quick

- I lost my job, now I have two!

- Been going to the park

-Trying to convince Chris to move back

-Finishing up the semester

-GARDENING

Sienna

Recent Shows

So I've been working all week, Thursday was New Found Glory (see above), what a huge crowd.

and 

the lamest show ever, the AP tour, 5 bands, so bad. 

Im really just not into any of that music.

ugh.

Watering!

Nozzles, hahaha, from This Old House website.

Im Getting a Garden Hose!

I know that sounds silly and ridiculous.... what was I using to water my garden before you ask?

THE 2.5 gal. WATER JUGS IN THAT PICTURE

Last summer I had to transport my water from my kitchen to the garden using those drinking water jugs.

I sliced the side off and used the spout as a makeshift watering can.

It was so bad, I mean it worked, but you try making 3-4 trips out your kitchen, open a door, down the stairs,  & out another door, all while making sure not to spill the water or let any of the 3 cats or 1 dog out of the house!

But this year I finally talked to my landlord, who took away the hose because homeless people were using it to clean their cans every week, and without hesitation he said sure.

So as of this week I will have my own garden hose.

For everyone who has one don't take it for granted.

I have to figure out what type of nozzle I want, I am so psyched.

Phosphorus deficiency

Left leaf, first true leaf, purple with Phosphorus deficiency.

Right leaf, second set of true leafs, purple fading thanks to using Earth Juice, MicroBlast.

Healthy tomato plant a week later.

Micro-nutrient Deficiency

I use 

Earth Juice, MicroBlast

When my seedlings get their second set of true leaves I start using this liquid fertilizer in my water routine.

A little here and there makes a huge difference.

It's also really easy to identify Phosphorus/ Micro-Nutrient Deficiencies.

A little purpling on the underside of tomato leaves is the true sign.

*Keep in mind, purpling could also be from under/ over watering and lack of light.

Check this out for other Tomato plant problems:

Tomato Problem Solver

hardening off seedlings

My seedlings are under those old window screens. (2 of them for today, then only one for tomorrow)

The weather is amazing.

Hardening off seedlings:

Last year was my first year growing from seed and when it came time to setting them out I had no idea what I was doing.  I thought I was going to kill them all by burning them, over watering, under watering...... what ever could happen I was sure I was going to do.

but

It's so simple.

On a day, like today, when it's hot enough, for what I have growing right now & the current temperature, I can put all of my seedlings outside.  

-Eggplant and Peppers need 60-65* to go outside

-Tomatoes I usually put out when its above 50-55*

Heres some advice:

- water in the morning & either from the bottom or above and only the soil (if the leaves/stems are wet or have water droplets on them they will fry in sun, literally!)

-place seedling trays in the shade/ partial shade for the first few times they go outside.... so lets say Day 1: seedlings out for 4 hours in shade, Day 2: seedlings out for whole day in shade, Day 3: 4 hours in sun maybe with screens over (dilute the uv rays) then the rest of the day in the shade...... and so on until the nights are warm enough for them to stay out 24/7 in complete sun.

I know it sounds crazy, but I have a schedule where I mainly work later in the day giving me time to bring them in or out for the first few days, it's also helpful to start on a weekend, like this one.

Heat wave day one

It was almost 70* today.

I put some of my seedlings out today to catch some sun, the sun wasn't that intense so I put them in the sun, no burning or sun damage.

Sienna soaked it in.

So much to to in the garden

I figure I need:

-some more tomato support, last year I used 6ft. teepees, they were alright, but not tall enough (my tomato plants were 8 1/2 ft tall). This year I am using the 8 ft bamboo poles/ 1x2 wood poles, I think they will work better.

June 2008, 3 bamboo pole teepee, each pole has its own tomato plant.

-garden soil, the whole lot was covered with those cement stones, I have dug up more this year and now I need more soil.

-potting soil, I am using one of my old grills to grow my lettuce in this summer. I don't trust the critters on the ground with my lettuce. 

I'm hoping everything on my list will just show up in my yard, someone.... anyone.....

Compost Bins

This is a really good deal for Boston residents.

So I found this on the City of Boston website, while looking for the holiday recycling schedule.

The City of Boston is offering a discount on Compost Bins and Kitchen Scrap Buckets.

Compost bin (a similar to above)
$45 (almost half the suggested retail price) 
You can fill a compost bin with 12 bags of leaves. Bin size is adjustable. Within a year, your yard waste composts into 200 lbs of highly nutritious dirt. 

Kitchen scrap bucket
$10 ($7, with purchase of a compost bin) 
Kitchen scrap bucket has a handle and lid and holds 7 liters. It's a clean and convenient way to collect food scraps for your compost bin. 

I am so excited for this, they also list specific dates to stop by community centers throughout Boston that will be offering the compost bins.

I'll in JP on May 12th picking up mine.

Ratatat

Went to see Ratatat with Josh and Jena at the House of Blues 

A few dark & stormies and my night was set.

Also went to see 

Of Montreal

last night was sooo good.

I love free shows!

So I have this theory...

that on average in the month of April, it feels like, for every one nice day there is there are just as many horribly rainy days.

Today is one of them, it poured last night, was gorgeous this morning and is now rainy damp chilly and dark out.

Weather

Just to tease myself, my garden 2008

This is my second year gardening in Boston, more specifically Allston, and I'm pretty sure I didn't put my seedlings out in my garden until at least May 15th in 2008, the nights were chilly for most of the month.  Even that was a struggle, I used soda pop bottles as cloches and some empty buckets to cover my tomatoes and peppers on nights that dropped below 45*.

What I've realized in the past two day of comparing 2008 to 2009 is that the nights starting April 1st have been 3-5 degrees warmer than those of 2008.  Such good news!

That means putting my seedlings out may come earlier than expected.  I hope.

My goal is to have my seedlings out between May 6th- 9th........ 

Puppy Love

The high temperature for the day was 66*

Sienna and I went to the park, like we do everyday

Today was extra special, she met Taj.

The 5 month old bully who is now her boyfriend.

I think Sienna was frustrated that he is almost as big as her and half her age.

Everyone Should See.....

The Visitor

Such a good movie.

I watched it last night, telling myself that I'd start it and finish it today

but

I was up until 2 am finishing it

Egg & Cheese

Egg & cheese on an everything bagel,

with jalapeno cheddar and the classic yellow american cheese

&

onion, ketchup and BBQ sauce.

The picture is blurry but it was too good of a sandwich.

Worst Couple Ever.

Taleen and Orion.

They love each other and then hate each other.

I walked in on them having a breakup fight.

Just a little odd.

Taleen looks like she is going to smack him in the face for calling her a whore.

Tuesday

A very busy Tuesday.

-Heather & Nicholas' Taxes

-Low batteries in smoke detectors at 4am!

-Belgian Waffles (with blackberries)

-Energy Efficiency Inspection by National Grid

-Dog Parking

&

-a ton of COFFEE

by the way, if you don't know Nicholas Beaven.... you should

I wanted to put the video on here but it won't let me.....

 so click on the link and see Nic play at the Hootenanny in Allston (2 houses from mine).

Heres a link to the review in the Boston Phoenix from April 1st Rootin' tootin' Hooten

Garden Tuesday

This is my progress so far.

11 people, 1 washer and dryer

So normally my apt. (the 5 of us, me, Jenni, Heather, James, & Jenny B.) have our own free to use washer and dryer.

It's wonderful.

but.

The dudes upstairs broke their washer.....

so

11 

people 

are

sharing 

a 

washer!!!!!

Where did all my laundry detergent go?

I know this sounds petty

but

I AM BROKE!

Strawberries

Looking at my Strawberry plants reminded me of an illustration from my 1940's gardening guide.

Last Post for Today, I PROMISE

Sienna is getting so big and her crate has been taking up so much space..... 

just about 3.5 ft x 2.5 ft, its like having another bed in my room...... 

soooooooooooo

I created a space just for her, SPACE SAVING IDEA!!!!

I removed the door to my 2nd closet 

placed one of the hallway gates up to keep her in

&

WHAM

a 5ft. x 3ft. CRATE

That doesn't take up any extra space.

I Love it.

Grow List

Here is what will be growing in my garden and raised beds-

2009 Grow List

VEGGIES:

-Envy Soy Bean

-Spaghetti Squash

-Turks Turban Gourd

-Lolita Summer Squash

-Sugar Baby Watermelon

-Howden Pumpkin

-Mesclun Lettuce Mix

-Globe Artchoke

-Hot Pepper Mix (jalapeno/habanero)

-Bell Pepper Mix (red/yellow/purple)

-Clemson Okra

-Dusky Eggplant

-Siam Queen Thai Basil

-Roma Tomato

-Sungold Tomato

-Black Krim Tomato

-Mortage Lifter Tomato

-Rainbow Cherry Tomato

FLOWERS:

-Alyssum (3 varieties)

-Aster

-Shasta Daisy

-African Daisy

-Helichry Sum

-Cosmos

-Marigold

-Zinnias (3 varieties)

-Nasturtium 

-Gypsophila

-Morning Glories (for Heather)

-Sunflowers (9 varieties)

WILD FLOWERS- over 20 kinds from 3 mixed packs.

April Seedlings

My Seedlings.

Top: a mess of micro-greens, testing to see how long they take to grow before I plant seeds outside

Middle: Artichokes, greens, Nasturtium, Tomatoes.

Bottom: Peppers, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Basil, Lettuce.

April Garden

This is the current state of my backyard/ garden.....

in 40 days you won't recognize it!

The bottom photo is my STRAWBERRY plant.

He is already going nuts with all this rain and sunshine, I am so excited.

Just about 3 weeks ago he was 2 tiny little green leaves and I thought he wasn't going to make it, but he has pulled through.

In the past week....

I have also:

- seen Bloc Party

- started some more gardening things, clearing leaves, staking the front garden....

- fallen head over heals for a boy

- realized I won't be able to afford rent soon

- applied for Food Stamps

- went on a really great date

- went to a Hootenanny 

- saw Morrissey, Live & Shinedown in one weekend, UGHHH (live and shinedown are really bad)

----- but I got paid for it!!!!!!

all of which I have not been photographing. i know im lame.

Work Party

Photo credit to Justin Ball

[thats me on the floor & Maya standing over me]

This is what happens when you:

Find out you are being sued by your dad

Get locked in the basement for over an hour

Break atleast 5 glasses at once & a jar of tomato sauce 

&

Take a World Civ. Midterm in one day

THE RESULT:

Going to a work party 3 houses down the street and getting trashed in front of all your coworkers!

&

BTW I puked outside on the sidewalk half way between my house and the party, GROSS>

Apples TO Apples

Apples to Apples from 3/17

and 

Justin & Heather from 3/22

BEASTIE BOYS

Work is amazing.... this is us cabbing home, the driver blasted Beastie Boys for us!!!!!

Longest Weekkkkkk

Dog park with Sienna and of course the lovely Nala.  She got so big over winter... enormous.  

and...... the cutest cat ever..... Sophie, I did some cat sitting a week or so ago and this is her.

I also worked 5 out of the 7 Dropkick Murphy shows, Bloc Party, and 2 nights of The Pogues!!!!!

so much fun.

and

there is a boy.... handsome and sweet, the full package. (my little secret)

Sienna & the Seed Collection

I laid the seeds out to take a photo and Sienna walked over and plopped down directly in the sunny spot.

Here are my seeds for this season, they finally came in the mail on Monday and I planted my Peppers, Eggplant, Marigolds, and a few others on March 10th. 

Compost Bucket

hmm this week.....

Sunday- Kevin decided he didn't like us anymore and moved out. (not really, he only moved in to stay for the month, he/ we just didn't realize how great it was going to be)  I totally spent sunday afternoon doing stupid things around the house (filling in holes/ garden nonsense). 

  Ohh and had an awesome dinner for 11 people at my house. Eggplant Parm., music, apples to apples and garlic bread.  There was supposed to be some BIG LOVE, but I felt bad because Josh couldn't come. *im saving it for him

Monday-   hmmm.  Common was good. 

Tuesday- I really don't know if I did anything too significant..... I fed Jena's cat. Went to WFM with Jenny B. & Heather. Walked home with Johnny. 

Wednesday- Background nonsense at work *House of Blues* , then I picked up stuff at school. Fed Sophie.  Then went home and rearranged my room.  Aaron eventually came over and we watched Girl 27, a semi interesting documentary.  

Dog Park

Kevin, James, me & Sienna at the dog park....

It was an amazing 60 degrees and Kevin's last weekend here so we went to the park and let Sienna get really dirty.