Cardiff Garden Blog

 In an effort to grow more sooner I recently purchased a heat mat and seed starter kit. The heat mat helps regulate the soil to the correct temperature required for germination.  The plastic dome over the seedlings helps regulate temperature and humidity. It holds 72 seedlings and fits the heat mat perfectly.  The above picture was taken approximately 5-7 days after planting. The column A and column G where both squash/pumpkin vines.  I've labeled each row to easily identify each seed/plant.  I've also documented on a journal what date each were planted and their germination times.  This picture was taken 3 weeks after planting. I've already transferred the pumpkin/squash vines and the 6 packs in the foreground are tomatoes and peppers.   I'm using a tupperware container to make sure I don't spread soil and water all over my living room. The two lights I am using were bought at Home Depot.  Each was $50 and ca...

 With every backyard garden you will encounter some kind of unwanted pest.  In my case I feel as though I've encountered them all. Most recently it was this guy and his unwanted friends. I've caught 3 skunks so far. They can't resist my bait (pork bone from pulled pork in slow cooker).  One lucky skunk got away when he busted out the back of the trap. These two were picked up by some lucky pest guy. They were digging around in my garden looking for grubs and other bugs. Lucky me I didn't get sprayed while snapping these pics.  Here's hoping I don't see anymore of them.

 I've been working to try and re-direct the grapevine away from my garden boxes into two seperate directions. One leads over the alley into a neighbors yard and the other goes towards the north end of the alley.  This is an attempt to help expose more sun to my garden boxes and help tame the beast.   I've tried to tangle and weave them together to make one giant vine that crosses the alley like a bridge or trellis. The hopes is one day I'll be able to remove the support wood and it'll stand on its own.  Something tells me that might be a while. The 2nd support beam to the right is made of an old sunflower I grew 2 years ago. Still working strong as a garden tool.  Recycle right.  Somehow I don't think this alley will look this green in the heart of summer. Tried something different here. I took all the very long leads of the vines and arranged them into a giant hoop or circle.  In hopes of it holding its form into a weird unnatural s...

So for the first time in 3 years of having the boysenberry vine I did something probably very healthy and growth promoting for the vine. I removed all dead and dying plant material. All the dead leaves branches and vines were weeded out. I found there was a ton of leaves at the very base of the plant that took some time to remove. I found a weird white fungus growing under it and can't imagine it was that healthy for the plant. I'm hoping with the dead material removed it will help revive the plant from it's winter slumber.  I've also freed up room for a crowded Hibiscus plant that needed the space desperately.  Did my best to weave the vines throughout the stairs so that they have some support.

  I try to grow peas every year. Last year I had limited success. I'm guessing it was due to over using a particular patch of real estate for the same crop. They say you are supposed to mix up planting locations so that they nutrients are all used up. I've been picking twice a week and they are delicious.

  I planted the bean plant you see in the foreground last weekend. Took approximately a week for them to pop up.Two plants behind it you'll see some peas popping through as well.  These will do well near the fence for support.