The first hint of frost at the Fermilab garden was October 17. I noticed on the 18th that one of Jim W's plants had been nipped. However, by okra was not particularly hurt by this. So this frost was very well localized!
October 21 is then the first frost data (see http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KDPA/2011/10/21/DailyHistory.html). The following day had a low temperature in Aurora of 0C exactly.
I just got back from my garden, and the tomatoes and peppers are done.
The growing season is officially over.
(But we still have collards, beets, turnips and leeks, of course.)
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
Compost pile & Jerusalem Artichokes
Yesterday, we completely emptied our compost pile at home--the first time ever, I think. We got well over a half bushel of Jerusalem artichokes!
We put the new dirt into our home garden.
We put the new dirt into our home garden.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Thoughts/plans on spacing
Our rows are spaced this year (2011) as follows:
Observations
For the tomatoes, we need at least 60 inches, possibly 70, between tomato row centers. Similarly, we don't need to put so many plants on one row. This year we have 12 plants per row--adjacent cages are touching in some cases. Next year: 8-10 plants per row (only).
(I believe that the number of tomatoes you get is proportional to the planted area, not the number of plants.)
The okra rows definitely need to be farther apart. I have been unable to get my tiller between the rows this year. 50 inches might be enough (an extra foot), at least it will be enough early in the season.
I could have planted the peppers more compactly. 15 plants per row is quite sparse. This could almost be doubled and the plants still wouldn't touch.
Summary for next year (2012)
- Tomatoes: 50-58 inches (center-to-center)
- Peppers and beans: 38-42 inches
- Okra: 38 inches
- Others: 38-44 inches
Observations
For the tomatoes, we need at least 60 inches, possibly 70, between tomato row centers. Similarly, we don't need to put so many plants on one row. This year we have 12 plants per row--adjacent cages are touching in some cases. Next year: 8-10 plants per row (only).
(I believe that the number of tomatoes you get is proportional to the planted area, not the number of plants.)
The okra rows definitely need to be farther apart. I have been unable to get my tiller between the rows this year. 50 inches might be enough (an extra foot), at least it will be enough early in the season.
I could have planted the peppers more compactly. 15 plants per row is quite sparse. This could almost be doubled and the plants still wouldn't touch.
Summary for next year (2012)
- Tomatoes: rows are 60-70 inches apart; plants are 45 inches apart (center-to-center), which is about 10 plants per row.
- Okra: rows are 50 inches apart
- Everything else: rows are 40 inches apart.
- Peppers: 25 pepper plants per row.
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