Slow Poke Farm

06/24/2024

Friday morning, I was out early to put shade over the larger pepper plants due to the continually oppressive heat here. Thanks to the excess length of the tomato tunnel shade cloth, I was able to tie it to the shade structure to give them that help. (We've noticed end rot on our bell peppers. Hopefully, the additional shade will help with that issue.) Next task, I measured and mapped out the infrastructure out back. I had ordered much larger graph paper to produce a new and more detailed map of everything. Once I had enough data, I sat down to sketch out the basic details and dimensions. Next, I'll get it more defined and then add more fine points. Afterward, each area will have a larger scale map sketched and then individual details added.
The additional pieces of the raised bed watering system arrived later Friday. Saturday morning, I was up early again to beat the heat of the day. I was able to get the elbows cut into the main radiator line to make it a complete line from the hose bib all the way around the yard. All stock tanks that are planted had drip line put in and punched into the main line. Once all was connected, I was able to add that zone to the master watering program and set it to water. I checked for leaks and problems and found a couple leaky elbows and tightening them fixed the problem. I found a new issue immediately afterward, every line I punched into the main line was dripping where the transfer barb went into the main line. I was initially worried but realized the line needed to come up to full pressure in order to push the transfer barbs against the wall of the main line.
After a short break, we made a run for some lumber, potting mix, bucket, lid, borax and more pruning shears. I needed to build better shade support for the last 2 stock tanks in the line because they needed more space. Despite the heat and afternoon heat, I got it built and installed.
The gladiolus we planted last spring are finally flowering and we're seeing more squash out front.

06/09/2024

More changes and projects. A whole new watering system was supposed to be installed yesterday but, parts didn't arrive as scheduled. Only the extra radiator line and pressure reducers arrived. It's ok because there were other things that needed to be built for our raised beds. We get too much hard sun and heat ALL summer long and last year proved to us how vital shade is in West Texas. Since we've committed to try to maximize our space and efforts, 2x2x6 and 2x2x4 stock troughs were brought in to use as raised garden beds. We put them in spaces that would have been, otherwise, almost unusable. Due to these factors more automation of watering was necessary.
Shade structures were necessary for a couple spots because of the extreme heat and since I couldn't get the watering system installed, I worked on the shade mounting brackets and the cloth itself.

06/05/2024

More planned growth in the garden so more work to come. We've nearly completed the moving of the stock troughs we're using for garden beds and have plotted more improvements for watering as well. I've ordered all new timers for the berries as well as the garden. They'll all be able to be changed via wifi as well as Bluetooth or manual operation. The ones for up front have dual output control and the one for out back has 4 outputs. This gives me huge flexibility for my garden and raised beds. I've also ordered all the parts to install 2 different radiator lines for the raised beds so I can run crops that may have differing watering needs. The last output is most likely going to run to the greenhouse for misters. Hopefully, this and plans for shade coverings over the raised beds will enable us to see my dad this summer.

05/31/2024

Lots of rain and hail in big storm last night. Turned off watering for the evening last night and most likely will leave it off until tomorrow. We seem to have escaped with no plant damage so that's amazing. Thank you God. Our chaos tomatoes look amazing and it appears we may have chaos cucumbers.
Sadly Fifi's grave has to be better secured due to the rains.

05/28/2024

Things have been busy and quiet at times the last month. May has featured hotter weather, a couple big storms, lost seedlings, new hibiscus bushes and trees, more stock troughs, harvested beets, last of radishes, elephant garlic, 2 types of sweet onions, a couple purple bell peppers, a zucchini, a spitfire pepper and the turnips.
Since we lost so many pepper seedlings, we've made the decision to purchase a few pepper plants that we put in the garden.
As I noted back in April, we started seeing tomato plants popping up all over the garden. I'm referring them as chaos tomatoes, they're doing quite well. We've also found chaos squash plants near where we planted last year.
The berries are doing OK and squash that were buried in flower beds are doing amazing. We found a fruit on at least a few. Cilantro and dill continue to get stronger, cucumbers are struggling this year due to a change of venue. We've seeded more that will end up out back once they come up. Asparagus beans and pinto beans were transplanted to ground as well as the last surviving tomato seedlings and Basil.
String trellising will be one of the next steps for the tomato plants that are under the shade structure and various other things will be tested, including trying a couple in stock troughs.
Bought a large quantity of Einkorn wheat berries and grain mill so we can make our own breads.

Thank you God for your continued blessings.

On a sad note, our junior apprentice gardener in training, Fifi the dragon, left her mortal bonds and crossed the rainbow Bridge last night. This has been a difficult weekend but we will persevere. Losing 4 legged family members isn't fun or easy. Rest in peace dear one.

04/30/2024

Sorry for the lack of updates lately. Things are going on behind the scenes and have been busy. Lots has been going on. Will post pics soon

04/30/2024

04/16/2024

Was out back checking on the beets, Radishes and gladiolus when we found several chaos tomato plants peeking up at us from row of Beets. (Tomatoes were there last year.) Found another one a few rows over. Will be fun to monitor their progress. We will let go, let God on these guys until beets are harvested.
On another note, checked on the biggest radishes of each kind and pulled up the biggest one of each. I'm quite pleased with these ones but will wait about a week longer to pull up more.

04/15/2024

Slow weekend and temps are climbing. Picked up a new hibiscus tree and 3 Hollywood hibiscus shrubs/bushes. Had to put shade cloth over the new stock tanks because even with late afternoon and evening sun, mint was dying. Maybe more pics later. Made some home made fries but used waygu tallow and they were amazing. Friday night was game night with the kids so wings accompanied the fries.