Week 10 (part two) - Attack of the Tree Squirrels!

Time in: 8am

Time out: 9am

On our way to Santa Cruz, we received a phone call from my mom. The tree squirrels ransacked the garden!!

When we came home, we found out that our next door neighbor did a large pruni ng job on their California Pepper tree (Schinus molle). We're pretty sure that a lot of tree squirrel families lived within those sawed off branches. In turn, they probably panicked and attempted to search for food anywhere they can. Thankfully, because of the chicken wire, the tomatoes were untouched!

We also needed to replace the chili pepper flakes since their potency probably dulled out after a few weeks of watering.

Next Week's Tasks:

• Get more chili pepper flakes...It's on!!!

• Expand the chicken wire
  

• Maintenance

Week 9 - Stakes not Steaks

Time in: 5pm
Time out: 7pm


With the gracious help from my handy-man step father, Steve, we were able to find a way to prepare stakes for the tomatoes. At no cost!


We did this by dismantling a rickety old trellis we had (it may have been my older sister's if I am not mistaken).

Jared helped in the process by removing all the rusty old nails that held it together.

My dad then cut it down to an even 4 feet.

Steve and Jared secured the stakes into the ground, we decided on two per tomato plant.

And...Wallah!


Next week's tasks:

• A 4 day trip to Santa Cruz!!!

Week 8 - Spring Break

Time in: 10am
Time out: 2pm






With the generous help of my mom, we were able to fertilize the tomato plants with worm-gro. We scattered 3 scoops under each plant. It may have been too much as the worm castings are quite concentrated in nutrient value (1 scoop probably would have sufficed). Soaking the tomato patches will help to leach the extra microorganisms out of the roots and ground.

I also picked out two climbers for the other side of the shed. A light lavender and a white clematis.



Here are the steps I took to help guarantee the success of these climbers ( I got the information in a book all about Clematis they sell in my place of work):


Step 1: Soak root balls for at least 1/2 an hour

Step 2: Dig a hole 2 or 3 times larger (about 2 x 3 ft/60 x 100 in. deep) than the root ball. Fill
bottom with pottery shards or sticks for about 8 inches. This will help with the aeration
and drainage of the soil.

Step 3: Backfill the hole gently with garden compost.

Step 4: Make a circular dam with compost and fill with water. Let water drain naturally.










Here are some other miscellaneous images from the garden





Next week's tasks:

• Add the rest of the drippers where they are needed

• Make stakes for the tomatoes

• Plant legumes (Christmas Lima)
  

Week 7 - Drip Drip Drip

Time in: 5:30pm
Time out: 7:30pm


This week, we extended the drip system to include the veggies we planted in 5 gallon containers at the side of the shed.

We also extended the drip to include the area on the other side of the shed by running a line under the deck. Plans are currently being made to plant 3 to 4 climbers in this area.