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.