Planting tomatoes in a square foot garden

Patio tomato bag planted using a Grow Pot

More bag planting

Two tomato plants fit nicely

Protected from the spring rains

Recently I planted two tomatoes in a square foot garden.  I used the bag planting technique so that the tomatoes would be protected from any diseases existing in the soil.  Locally we get a lot of rain so it's important to provide shelter for the tomatoes or they may get the early blight.  There is still room in the square foot garden for some swiss chard and dill.

Planting potatoes

Picked an early potato, "Satina", in hopes it will produce in our mild, sometimes damp climate. Chitted the potatoes on a windowsill for about 2 weeks, then planted them. Probably planted them to late - May 1st. Filled containers with 4-5 inches of sheep manure and mixed in some all-purpose fertilizer. Placed the potatoes, then covered with 2-3 more inches of sheep manure and watered. I will hill up the potatoes when the shoots have shown quite a bit of growth.

Next stage in protection

Eventually cloches will become too small or the temperature too warm. A next step in protection is to use open topped cloches. These can be made of old plastic pots with the bottoms cut out. If temperatures turn cold again crop cloth can be draped over the tops.

Early season crop protection

A variety of cloches and wire mesh/crop cloth can be used to protect early season veggies from cold, rain, and pests. Pop bottle cloches work well. Peas wrapped with wire mesh then covered with crop cloth seem to like the protected environment. A simple cold frame made with an old window keeps greens sheltered. The goal is to help the fragile seedlings get established. Early in the year starting seedlings indoors seems to work best.

Bag planting spinach starts

Cut holes in the bottom of the bag for drainage

In the top make the cuts for the plants

Spinach starts have been planted (they're hard to see!)

Water with half strength liquid fertilizer

Protect with a mini poly tunnel

Peeking inside

I've heard bag planting is an good way to grow vegetables.  I'm trying it with some spinach starts I grew from seed in the house.  I've protected the plants using a small poly tunnel since we have a lot of squirrels and birds who might be interested in these tender plants (not to mention slugs).

Planting peas in the Earthbox

Snap peas around the tomato trellis

Two small tomato trellises fit well in the Earthbox

Light weight floating row cover provides shelter

The view from above!

Today I replanted the Earthbox on our deck. I had previously amended the soil with compost.  Believe it or not, the garlic chives have come back.  Talk about tough!  I had the snap peas growing inside for 2 weeks and more recently moved them outside into our small greenhouse.  I inserted 2 small tomato cages for the peas to climb up.  The cages also support light weight floating row cover that will provide a sheltered micro-climate for the peas while they get established.

Transplanting peas

Wildlife such as squirrels, birds, and slugs present a challenge in our garden area.  Today I completely enclosed these peas with an A frame of wire mesh. I also wrapped some crop cloth around the wire to create a microclimate for the peas.  Hopefully with this help the plants will be sheltered and have a chance to get established.