So, got the main drip system in place now. It is now functioning for the main garden, two flower beds, the center path (which has grass) and the two trees in the back yard. Works wonderfully!
The well wasn't working so great. Flow and pressure kept fluctuating. Think the pipe was too large. So, dropped a 3/4" pipe with foot valve last night. Haven't hooked it up yet but have high hopes for it.
When it was running at full flow and pressure, it pumped out enough that it would be too much for the drip system for the main garden alone. Think it should be good with the entire front and back hooked up.
One of the good thing about the drip system is that it will be great for direct seeding. Can keep the ground moist more consistently. I currently have ten tomato plants but had hoped for more. So going to try direct seeding some. Don't see any reason that shouldn't work, since I've had random tomato plants come up last year and this year where I had not planted them.
Even hooked up to the municipal water supply, I've seen great results in a short time. Corn sprouts which looked quite stressed shot up several inches in under 24 hours. Melon and pumpkin vines popped up which were not there the previous day.
Going to go against common advice and plant corn near the tomato plants. Giant blue corn. Maybe they won't draw the same pests as other strains, which is the reason advised for planting separately.
Saw first evidence that the mantis eggs actually hatched. While pulling weeds, saw a tiny mantis in the garden yesterday! If I saw one, I'm sure there are lots more I haven't seen. Daughter has found a lot of baby ladybugs, so waiting for them to mature. I have not seen much damage from aphids yet this year and have not had to treat for them at all. That's a good indication that something is keeping them at bay. I may have to order more beneficials once the growing area is enlarged but going to hold off on that decision for later.
Lots to do. Gonna get to it!
The well wasn't working so great. Flow and pressure kept fluctuating. Think the pipe was too large. So, dropped a 3/4" pipe with foot valve last night. Haven't hooked it up yet but have high hopes for it.
When it was running at full flow and pressure, it pumped out enough that it would be too much for the drip system for the main garden alone. Think it should be good with the entire front and back hooked up.
One of the good thing about the drip system is that it will be great for direct seeding. Can keep the ground moist more consistently. I currently have ten tomato plants but had hoped for more. So going to try direct seeding some. Don't see any reason that shouldn't work, since I've had random tomato plants come up last year and this year where I had not planted them.
Even hooked up to the municipal water supply, I've seen great results in a short time. Corn sprouts which looked quite stressed shot up several inches in under 24 hours. Melon and pumpkin vines popped up which were not there the previous day.
Going to go against common advice and plant corn near the tomato plants. Giant blue corn. Maybe they won't draw the same pests as other strains, which is the reason advised for planting separately.
Saw first evidence that the mantis eggs actually hatched. While pulling weeds, saw a tiny mantis in the garden yesterday! If I saw one, I'm sure there are lots more I haven't seen. Daughter has found a lot of baby ladybugs, so waiting for them to mature. I have not seen much damage from aphids yet this year and have not had to treat for them at all. That's a good indication that something is keeping them at bay. I may have to order more beneficials once the growing area is enlarged but going to hold off on that decision for later.
Lots to do. Gonna get to it!
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