Sunday, May 3, 2009

Spring Garden Update

Hi Everyone,

I have officially started to garden again in the garden. I'm getting a late start, mostly because I was unsure of when to start. We've had several cold spells in the Nashville area, lots of rain, and a tornado that came through Murfreesboro (a small town an hour away from Nashville).

It's almost May, so summer is practically here, but I started to plant seeds and transplant seedlings into the garden. I'm still using the square foot boxes, but I'm letting them "go wild" this year--no wooden bars to separate smaller boxes.

We have some herbs and fruit that came back this year, and I'll be blogging about those later this week. I am going to try to blog at least once a week, but depending on my work schedule, I may not be able to blog as much as I did last year. Blogging does take a lot of time, so I'll do my best.

This spring/summer season, I've growing the following in my garden:

* Broccoli
* Black from Tula tomatoes (Heirloom)
* Cherry/Roma tomatoes
* Mr. Stripey (Heirloom)
* Peas
* Red cabbage
* Crookneck Squash
* Onions
* Garlic
* Oregano
* Sage
* Sweet Basil
* Stevia

If Cam and I have more time this summer, we're going to build either raise beds or more square foot boxes to grow even more vegetables.

I know it's getting a little late, but I haven't started any lettuce or spring mixes yet. I hope to be able to do that soon. (Hopefully before the heat comes).

I am extremely excited about all the different varieties of vegetables and mints I've started.

Cutworms are the biggest pests that we've faced in the garden this year. They've cut all of the bush beans seedlings that we planted in the garden, three heirloom tomato plants, and three of the peas that we're attempting to grow.

We didn't have any luck growing peas last year because we planted them so late in the season; it was already June when we tried. But with these cutworms, I am worried they're not going to survive this year either. *sigh*

These are the only pea plants that are remaining:



I think we'll try bush beans again later this summer. To combat these evil villains, we've cut plastic straws into 2-3" sections and wrapped them around the stems. Hopefully, this will work and we can save our remaining plants.

We got the idea of plastic straws after reading this gardening forum:
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tomato/msg0319423621784.html

If you are interested, there are photos of the process on the forum.

Info on cutworms can be found here: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/M1225.html

I've found the U of Minnesota's Website extremely helpful.

-DP

14 comments:

Dawn said...

Welcome back DP! I'm getting my veggie ready too but you are well ahead of me! Cutworms are so gross! Ugh! I shutter to think about them and they LOVE peas. How else to get rid of them? Ewww, straw method would be the best.

Gisele Schoene said...

I guess it is never too late to start, there is always something you can plant according to the season. You have a long list and I hope the cut worms live your plants alone. Indeed, gardening is exciting!

Susie said...

So glad to see you back online D.P. I've thought of you several times and wondered why you haven't blogged. I know what you mean about it taking up so much time. I'm not able to as much as I would like either.

A method I found helpful combating the cutworms is I stick two large nails in the soil on both sides of the stem. That way the worm can't cut into the stem. That has worked for me before. I like the straw idea too. Let us know if that works.

DP Nguyen said...

Thanks Dawn! I hope the straw method works. I absolutely hate cutworms. We didn't have this problem last year, so I was shocked to see the devastation this year.

Hi Gisele, I agree! I hope they go away and cause damage elsewhere.

Hi Susie-I'm glad to be back. I've been so busy with work, and blogging does take a lot of time. And I've been feeling a little bit lazy towards the blogging.

Great technique-I will try it out if this straw method doesn't work. But hopefully it will. I love my new tomato plants!

tina said...

Hi DP, Welcome back and much luck on your garden this season.

Frances said...

Hi DP, we are so glad to see you again. Your garden plans sound great and I think it is still fine to plant the lettuce now, but don't put it off too long. :-) Those cutworms are villains! Hope your straw method does the trick. Our peas were eaten, but the newly replanted ones are untouched. We tried a different spot to throw the munchers off their game. We also replanted in the original location and have yet to see any new plants there. Whatever is eating them may still be at work.
Frances

Roses and Lilacs said...

I'm trying Mr Stripey for the first time this year. Good luck with cutworms!

Nice to have you back blogging.
Marnie

Gail said...

Hi DP. It's good to see back in the blogasphere! Good luck with the planting, maybe the sun will begin to shine again! gail

Skeeter said...

Welcome back DP! I have been off visiting blogs for awhile now myself but trying to get things caught up enough to get back into the groove! Since you are just starting back, I will start with visiting you as I dont have to go back and read old post! :) Good luck on your garden this year! I will be looking for a new family of fruits from you. I will never forget Fred and the gang.lol Hope Luka kitty is doing well...

Dan said...

Can't wait to see year two in your garden! I have read about a few bloggers having problems with cut worms this year.

Carole said...

So glad you are back, DP. Been looking for you. This HAS to be a good year in the making with all the rainfall... at least that's the optomist in me.
Give the beer traps a go for any slugs. I used Yeungling --- sad. A waste. But hey, the slugs died happy.

DP Nguyen said...

Thanks for everyone's warm comments. I am very happy to be back! :-)

Anonymous said...

Welcome Back DP! The straws are a clever idea on combating those nasty cutworms. Good luck with the new veggie garden. :)

nylonthread said...

I just started my garden this year! I'm going to try reading your archive to see what I might learn from your notes. I planted peas, too, and will have to check on the cutworm business. I know absolutely nothing about pests. YET.