Compost pile

I started a compost pile in the little rock garden area by the Julie mango tree. I am essentially using the fallen starch mangoes as the green. It is covered with one of the old blue tarps. Just added another layer and included some of the vines growing on the retaining wall. Looking at the fallen mangoes and vines as composting resources certainly makes the mindset different when picking them up.

Making new ollas

This morning I started the process of making some new ollas - the next batch of grow bags are here. In a few of them I used a 1 cent piece to cover the hole at the pot base - a little silicone around the base inside then flex seal on the outside.
After making up the bases a thought hit me - could the copper cause toxicity? Looked it up and it is a thing, so I will also now cover the coins on the inside with some flex seal.

Came up with a different method that does not require fixing anything on the inside when blocking the hole - I just used some electrical tape then applied the flex seal on the outside. May then also remove the tape and apply another layer on the inside. Hope it will have the mechanical strength.

More bags

ordered some more grow bags yesterday - 2, 3 and 5 gal. The 10 gal is pretty large so will try some of the tomatoes in the 5 gal. Also ordered some more irrigation fittings - got 1/4 inch tubing at Peake's a t good price, last 50 ft roll

More transplanting

Transplanted into 4 more grow bags today - all 2 gal bags with small ollas
Bag #s 6-8, pak choi; bag 9 okra from the second batch - no lost leaves.
Also topped up all the ollas from yesterday's transplanting

Post Carnival restart

Getting back into things after the carnival period. Made up a few ollas in the last couple days, including a new design with a single pot and saucer - no bottom hole to block. The white silicone is easier to see when working so I will stick with that. Used electrical tape to hold the 2 irrigation tubes together, then silicone, then flex seal.

Did some transplanting today - need to get some more grow bags. Also need soil / soil mix. I transplanted in a mix of about 40% top soil, 40% soil mix and 10% potting mix. 2 bags will do about 5 of the 3 gallon grow bags.

Another compost layer

Chopped down one of the bushes by the back sink, cut it up a bit more with the cutlass, added some kitchen scraps then made another layer.

Compost turn

Added a little more frozen green to the pile and turned it for the first time - there is some evidence of decomposition. The cardboard I was using as a cover had blown off and the pile was pretty dry. Added some water and re-covered.

First Ollatek planted!

Got some 1 gal grow bags and just planted the first one - 2 jiffy pots, each with 2 chives. Used a mix of the La Vega topsoil on the bottom, soil mix in the centre and potting mix on top. Used the small olla, soaked it well then put it in full sun. Will water for a few days until the roots get through the jiffy pot walls.

Chadon Beni kaput

The chadon beni did not make it - pulled them out of the jiffy pots and they came out without any roots. The pots were pretty dry at the end.
Planted 2 Pak Choi seeds in each pot - oasis cube at the centre.

No Scorpion

Decided against doing the Scorpion pepper - will focus initially on the ones likely to sell better, like tomatoes, ochro etc.

Chadon Beni issues

The chadon beni I had planted seems to be having some trouble - I'm thinking that the jiffy cube may be too moist for them. They initially started out looking good but have deteriorated in the last couple days.

Not too fast

Originally had plans to do cucumber, watermelon etc. but have decided not to bite off too much in the earlies. Will stick with what I have already planted, get comfortable with handling those before expanding.

Online journal

Started using the online gardening journal at growveg.com. I expect to use it for details about the actual plants and use this blog for mainly general topics - trying to avoid duplication.

More grow bags

Ordered some 2 gal grow bags and some irrigation fittings. So I will have 2, 3 and 10 gal to test - will try multiple plants in some of the larger pots.

Olla test

Put together a couple ollas yesterday and filled one to test today - seems to be working well, but I need to be a little cleaner with the silicone I think. Now for the live test!

Germination!

The Pak Choi has germinated! A bit sooner than I expected - the seed pack says germination in 10 - 14 days and this is only the 4th day!

Compost started!

Built the first 2 bins today and made a start - 3 layers of brown, 2 green. Will keep adding.

Compost greens

Went to Bhagwansingh's to pick up the angle and mesh to make the bins - passed by the market and realised that all I have to do is pass by on a Saturday afternoon and I'll get all the greens I could possibly use.

Hoping to go organic

By using my own compost I am hoping to go organic. I also plan to plant companion plants like chadon beni to help control / prevent insect pests. The ollas should help suppress weeds because the surface will stay dry and a well watered plant should be more robust and resistant. Therefore I am hoping not to have major issues with either diseases or pests, and to be able to handle those that i experience with natural remedies.

Compost plans

A major part of this new project will be making my own compost. I am planning 6 bins on the lower level - each 3 x 3 x 3 feet. Hopefully tomorrow I will get the steel and mesh to construct at least the first couple bins.

I've been saving kitchen scraps in the freezer until ready. Once the 6 bins are constructed I intend to check a couple vegan restaurants for their scraps.

The mix for the grow bags might be 50% soil, 50% compost

Seeds planted +

Today probably marks the official start of this new project.

I had ordered some grow bags on Amazon - got those today. Wanted to check out the sizes before deciding on the design of my ollas. Also bought some potting mix and planted some seeds in Jiffy pots - 4 each of the following (all Ferry  Morse):

Peppers: Jalapeno Mild, Grand Bell Mix
Tomato: Supersweet 100 VF Hybrid Pelleted, Red Cherry Large Fruited
Okra: Emerald
Pak Choy: Toy Choy

The intention is to get them in the grow bags with ollas as a proof of concept. The tomatoes are indeterminate so we'll see how large they end up. I got 10 gal bags for the tomatoes and 3 gal for the others.

I also have some Scorpion in some of the Oasis cubes I've had for years. The seeds have also been there for years so we will see.

Back after 4 years

So here we go again! Almost 4 years since the last post!

A couple of weeks ago I decided to clean up the lower level of the yard downstairs, which was completely out of control and un-useable. We are going through a severe dry season and my idea was to grow something down there using a grey water system.

After a lot of online research I had made up my mind to use raised beds and install a drip irrigation system. I then happened upon some information on a couple of things which changed everything - ollas and grow bags.

I am now looking at a commercial project for supplying the market with mature fruiting plants - tomatoes, peppers, herb combos etc. - in grow bags fitted with ollas.