Sadly, in my rSWC system, I had to cull a plant because the peppers are going crazy and crowding out the other plants. I built the system around the GH Waterpower mag drive pump, so I worried that it might be a bit too powerful for the plant root systems. When I pulled the lemon balm out, I was pleasantly surprised to see a root system that thrived in the system that I designed.
Here is a recipe for the best organic potting soil that I have used. It is only 3 ingredients: compost, coco coir, and perlite.
First, lay out your compost and pick any sticks or undigested clumps out.
Then, add an equal amount of coco coir. For those that overwater your houseplants, use a coarser grade of coir. My favorite coir is a really fine grade called Canna coco that comes in 50L bags.
Then, add a sprinkling of perlite across the top. This looks like a lot, but it mixes in to aid in drainage and water retention.
It has extended release nutrients from the compost and great water retention. It is easy to handle and works great. It works great with a fertilizer like Flora Nova dilluted to 1/4 strength every other watering.
This Mandevilla seems to love my organic potting soil.
Most folks are familiar with the spider plant that reproduces with runners that look like spiders hanging from a web. I was over at Ann’s Air Gardens and found a link to an interesting and comprehensive FAQ on spider plants.
Here is a patio tomato that I used Canna Boost on foliarly. It is only supposed to grow 12-16″, but it is 16″ and only the summer. The bloom set is amazing compared to my other patio tomatoes.
This is my dog, Ella. She is the reason I can’t have a garden inside of the fence.
She looks like trouble, eh?
I had no idea what color these were going to be. Sorry Max, they were a deep shade of purple, not red. What an interesting color for random poppies.
Here are my heirloom Cherokee Purple tomatoes.
I think that I have been battling a weird virus called Pepino Mosaic virus that comes from South America that is spread from Burpee seeds. I have been getting tomato deformities like meristems growing out of the middle of leaves, double blooms, and megablooms, like is pictured at the top of this tomato. I don’t use any herbicides or pesticides other than neem, and it is all new seed stock. The tomatoes that I have gotten so far this year are delicious, but because of my concerns about tomato viruses, I don’t think I am going to save any seed this year.
The tomatoes are taking over the entire garden. I will probably give them 2 more square feet each next year.
Despite a few early season headaches, the peppers are doing well.
This salad bush cucumber is being dwarfed by his tomato brethren.
I had a couple of poppies come out of nowhere next to my garage. I am excited to see what color they are going to be.
I am really impressed by my Autopots system. I am amazed how much they have grown since the last time I updated a month ago. Canna coco and nutrients are great in the Autopot system.
Here is my Cherokee Purple heirloom tomato. Notice how the garden is far away from the beast in the background.
This is a green pepper. They usually are more stretched than this, but this one is growing compact and bushy.
I have lots of patio tomatoes this year, so I did an experiment and fed this one Canna Boost foliarly. As you can see, it is a lush green and the bloom set is amazing. No other patio tomato that I have outdoors is that far along in maturity.
And this is Ella, staring at a squirrel.
Guinness released a one-time Anniversary Stout to celebrate its 250th year in business at St. James Gate in Dublin. I was interested to see another variation on their famous stouts.
I poured the Anniversary stout into a pint glass. It looks like black motor oil with a decent amount retention of beige head. The lacing is heavy and broken. It smells roasty, like coffee, dark chocolate and molasses. Taking a sip, this is much lighter bodied than the traditional stout. It tastes like dark toasted malt with a hint of fruit. There is a bit of a bitter bite in the finish. It is smooth drinking, full-bodied, with a lively and definitely heavier carbonation than Guinness’ other offerings.
Guinness Anniversary Stout is a good session beer, but nothing to write home about. It’s not something I would usually pick up, but I am glad that I got to try it. I paid $8.49 for a 6-pack.