Not so organized

I stated before that the garden would be much more organized this year than last. Hmm. Maybe not a lot more organized but still more organized.

I am and will still be experiemnting with different plants as far as planting times and companion planting. It remains true that most of the information available for these subjects has nothing to do with this environment. There have been a lot of people over some time and even now who experiment with growing in arid conditions. Unfortunately, very few have been published under descriptions which come back under valid search terms. When you do find information, it often refers to xeriscaping (great if you want to eat cactus and yucca), selling some product or are targeted at agricultural researchers and people with PhD's. Very little is accessible or useable information. I'm trying to change that as I learn. And trying to express that information in ways that can be used from the small home garden to massive scale farming.

Like the insecticidal soap. If left in water and allowed to dissolve, it would take 2-3 bars of Ivory soap to fill a sprayer truck with insecticidal soap. The downside is that it must be used 1-2 times a week and after each rain. But that's true with most organic insect controls and most will cost much more.

Commercial farmers already know about ammonia but not many home gardeners do. So they pay lots of money for liquid fertilizer when it's already in their cleaning closet.

There's a lot of conflicting information regarding the use of vinegar to correct soil pH. Yet I had good results last year and up to now have not had problems over the winter correcting soil acidity. It has eliminated weeds which I was having a death match with since moving in. Now not one single weed in most areas of the yard.

In my case, as with most desert soil, Potassium is not an issue. Phosphorous is still a problem. I am still seeking a good source which doesn't cost a fortune. Compost made from kitchen waste is allegedly high in Phos but the issue for me and most gardeners is amount. I don't produce enough kitchen waste to result in all that much Phos content. So far, commercial sources are my best option to compliment the compost. Raising chickens again will help but takes time.

Speaking of which, the chicks are now out in the coop. Other than looking confused, they seem okay.

I planted more spinach and some pumpkin seeds. See how they do.