Vertical & Sack Gardening 2015

This is a picture of my garden labors in 2015.  The scallions are actually leeks which have been thinned.  The purple thing in the middle is one of my turnips which I'm trying for the first time.  Why, you ask?  That my friend relates to the cooking and eating revolution that I've been undergoing for some time now.  We'll leave it for another day.

Note the radishes?  I just planted them ...seems like yesterday.  Which brings about the most important piece of advice I can give to you and that is "Ground Temperature"  I didn't realize the importance of G-temp. until i Purchased a thermometer.  That goes back to my attempts to bake bread..another story for another day.  Suffice it to say that you shouldn't plant anything until your G-temp  is at least 55* and a warm forecast for at least the next two weeks...In Spokane, WA., the spring temps are cool and variable.  It's normal for the sun to come out with 70* days for a week, and everyone gets out and plants, only to see their plants germinate followed by the deep freeze for 3 weeks.  Remember the air temperature varies greatly but the G-temp is steady.  I planted radishes in may only to see them succumb to low temps and weeds.  The ones pictured were planted middle of July and jumped out of the ground to take their place next to cucumbers, cluster tomatoes and carrots.
I have a very tiny yard and a good garden spot is hard to find.  My garden is 2x30ft between the garage and house, plus, a 10x6 spot in front yard. The only other sunny spot is my driveway.  This is why I'm experimenting with vertical and sack gardening.  The sacks are oat sacks that are perforated at the factory for aeration plus they are dark and absorb heat.
To start roll the sacks down and fill with about 4 in of soil.  Plant your potato (make sure it hasn't been treated with spud-nip) they won't germinate.. The idea is as the potato grows you unroll the sack and keep filling it with compost until the sack is full hopefully with new potatoes in August/September.  My bags are deforming but who cares, they'll only be used for one summer...I have high hope for my potatoes, both red and yellow.  I have 3 sacks sitting on a small 4x6 patio.  I have one sack in the driveway. I'm also growing multiple potatoes in a 30 inch tree planter.  You will be amazed at how much your plant and worms will eat.  I can't wait to see how many pounds of potatoes i will harvest.  I don't even have to dump them.  Just slice the sides.  Ok, i admit I'll need help rolling over the tree planter pot.

The vertical garden is another experiment.  I have trouble growing in small pots...it seems you either have root rot or you forget to water them, so I've selected 5 gal containers.  They're free if your willing to scrounge.

Backside of vertical garden

This summer I've only got 6, so they're stacked 3-2-1. To prepare them I'm drilling 3, 1" holes drilled vertically up the side and one hole on the bottom edge.  This is so i can check them for dampness (stick your finger in the hole). When you start they won't need much water, but in august when they are mature and ready to fruit..you'll have to water them every day.  If it rains hard they will drain immediately and keep the soil damp not drowned.  In the picture below, you can see how I've stack them.  Next summer, I'm hoping to stack them 5 high and create a hanging garden.  I'll need 15 total buckets! I'm going to fill them with herbs, flowers and hanging plants like cucumbers.  If your going high you better have concrete underneath!

front side (sunny side) of vertical garden  

In the backside picture, you can see the large black tree planter I've filled with potatoes.  I started with about 4 in of soil and put four potatoes equi-distance apart.  I use to worry about overheating the soil but i understand that plants love hot soil.  I've been keeping track and haven't gotten close to 85 F. my worry point. Whats happens is, as the weather warms my potatoes have grown and they are now shading their home.  I may paint my 5 gal containers black to absorb the spring sun.  The most important thing to remember is the difference between morning G-temp and afternoon G-temp.  The smaller the pot, the more heat loss overnight.  Plants need warm soil.  So, the longer it takes the pot to warm up,   the longer  before the plant will start growing.  This is why the large planter does better, it holds its' temp.  It is essentially a raised planter, but with a higher G-temp.
In the front side picture, you can clearly see one of my potato sacks. as i said this sack started only about 6 in high and I've been adding to the sack as the potato plant grows.  Now it has approximately twice as much volume as the 5 gal. buckets.  I've been trimming the plants back to stimulate the potato growth.  Again, we'll have to wait to the end.  The red planter, is a Mexican style planter.  You normally see them bracketing sidewalks with flowers etc. I like this planter, it has thick porous walls that retain the heat.  The thick walls seem to absorb water also, so that is a plus.  I'm growing a zinnia and a pepper plant.  The zinnia is the last of my zinnias to flower ( I'm still waiting,   The pepper plant, on the other hand has outgrown the zinnia and is he only pepper-plant to produce a pepper so far.  I'm not sure why? but the logical course is to dedicate my large black planter to pepper plants next summer.  If i want more heat i can put a clear plastic bag over it.

Summer squash/black planter 2014

This leads to the conclusion that i may be able to grow okra or better still watermelon.  The picture of the large squash hanging in/from the ladder is a picture from last summer.  It actually grew three of these squash.   So, watermelon may do well in the large black planter.

Orange zinnia

The rest of the pictures are of my zinnias.

Pic of rose, violet and orange zinnias

yellow zinnia

harvest 08/10/2015 : leeks etc.

 I really love zinnias, they are super tough flowers that can compete in the garden.  I also love the way they develope.  They open and put out a row of petals, so you know the color.  Then they put out another row, and another, and another until they're fully grown which is about 4 in.  the whole process takes about a month..   I get to know my zinnias on a personal basis and if you cut them , they will last about a week.  They're really great and the bees come back every day to pollinate them.  Helps keep the bees away from my other plants that i have to dust for mites or aphids.  Zinnias come in a variety of colors including yellow, pink, rose, violet and even orange.  In the background you can see a plant with large leaves.  This is a tobacco plant that was given to me this spring.  As it grows taller, i keep harvesting the leaves.  When cured the leaves take on a beautiful brown patina.  They smoke well?, so I'm going to be rolling some cigars this fall.  Thank god for the Internet!
I love my garden, it keeps me busy, and i love being part of the crawler society of retired or disabled people.  I also enjoy watching paint dry..you'd be amazed at what you can see by sitting still.
PEACE OUT !