Zones 8, 9, 9a, 9b?

[Shellie]

Whatcha ladies up to?

I have been prepping my SFG and have plans to build 1-2 more beds this weekend. I found a local source of brand-name pre-made Mel's mix and it's a steal at $15/bag which isn't very frugal really at all but has turned out cheaper than buying the components separately. I need to get a tarp so I can get into my compost bin...the top doesn't look great but it opens from the bottom...maybe there's something good waiting for me down there!

So far I've planted store-bought tomato plants for things I didn't start early enough inside....tomato, red and yellow bells, zucchini and yellow squash, cucumbers. I think I'm going to start a second crop of squash and cukes indoors, as well as melons. I am toying with the idea of picking up a few broccoli and melon plants now as well. We had squash, cukes and melons growing well into our summer heat last year so I'm hoping to get 2 plantings?

Last year our melons did not grow beyond softball size but I sorely overplanted and neglected to thin. Going to be a more responsible gardener this year even if it hurts to snip down all those cute little extra plants!

[Erinz]

Well my gosh I JUST got my tomato and pepper seeds started today and I don't feel THAT behind? I did mean to get them in a few weeks ago but when I go out to my garden and check for tomato volunteer seedlings I don't see any and those always do GREAT so I'm not worried! I'm trying to only buy a couple of starts here and there of things I see and buy on a whim haha.

Zucchini and other summer squashs have a long season to grow here so I don't even think of starting them for a few more weeks and always direct seed. You may want to direct seed a few when you transplant to extend your season.

I'm getting excited for planting season, it's crazy to think the beginning is upon us! Cool!

[Erinz]

Forgot to say have you looked into finding well composted compost to use instead of the mix of stuff? I don't sfg but over the years have started just using straight (mostly green) compost in my beds and topping them up with fresh every year. The plants love it. Will surely cost less and be less wastefull than all those pricey BAGS!

[Shellie]

Well I'm near Phoenix so you likely have a little more leeway than I. Last year my tomatoes really slowed down by mid-May and although they set fruit a little longer than I was told they would, it was only a few tiny ones per plant and they never grew beyond 1.5" or so. The plants I grew from seed and put out in the garden in early March did not do well at all--no fruit. I was bummed...I love tomatoes. LOL

I figured if I wanted to start planting mid-February as I think I'm supposed to (ha...could be wrong, who know!) I'd have had to start them inside late January. Of course it will be up to 115 degrees here by June and while I have seen people be successful with tomatoes in dry heat, I haven't yet figured it out!

But you're right, I should direct-sow some squash to try and extend my season...that's a great idea! I'm getting ready to put in carrot and radish seeds as well.

I picked up some broccoli plants (couldn't resist)...they are 45-days so I have a chance of getting something before it's too hot. My friend here planted her broccoli in November and had a bumper crop mid-January! I was so jealous because we eat a ton and I want my own! (I didn't do a fall or winter garden and regret that.)

And on the compost, yes, I need to find a good source. We bought bagged manure last year and it created a serious fly problem (it was supposedly cleaned but the flies still liked it). I'm been doing the 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 blended compost and 1/3 peat thing for SFG but this is not gardening for the frugal-minded imnsho. I really want to switch to mostly compost. I have a bin and it's been sitting since last summer but we haven't stirred it enough. Hopefully when I open the trap door at the bottom, there will be some good stuff in there. I really want to get a drum-style with a handle for turning!

[Erinz]

Shellie have you ever tried using some tan colored shade cloth and making some hoop covers or making a trellis over your beds? (OSH sells it as do other hardware stores I believe) That may really extend your season and give everything a little shelter from that intense sun. My little bro lived in Scottsdale for a few years so I know what you mean on 115! yikes!

This year I had a little baby (that's my excuse anyway) so I didn't get my broccoli and fava beans in on time and I SORELY missed that harvest this winter. Next year, right?! let's put it on our calendars now! haha!

[Shellie]

Shade cloth is a great idea--I've seen it at Home Depot a bunch of times. I wonder if I could just bend long PVC pipes to make loops to lay it over? Hmmm...I've got to do that this year. I have my tomatoes and herbs in pots but I could build a little structure on the patio for them to sit under. As it is we're looking at building a raised bench type of thing for my pots because our dog has been digging up the herbs and flowers! Bad doggy!! What kind of a god digs in pots? LOL