Sorry for the break, I have been....busy. I know that isn't an excuse, but I just haven't been into it. In the Middle of April we had a meeting at work, about how things aren't easy but they were going OK (maybe that isn't what was said at all but that is the way I remember it). A few days later at the end of April they shut down our Red Oak operation and laid off/forced retired 200 here at Des Moines. I really didn't feel like doing much of anything blog wise after that. I have been keeping up at run fat cam run if you are interested in following along there feel free. Now that I am done feeling sorry for myself onto the tomatoes....
So Jamie Lou and I have Kerry, Tom, James and Peter to blame for the 2009 Great Tomato Incident. They gave Jamie Lou upside-down tomato hangers for her birthday. and long story short the 2 tomatoes we got after everything was all said and down ran us about $50.00 each. A lot of cash for 2 bad tomatoes. This year we decided to grow the operation you see. While again putting up 2 upside-down tomatoes (which we will tend to much more closely this year) Jamie Lou wanted and herb garden. So never one to ease into anything this weekend we made a 12 foot x 12 foot herb garden for her.
The tomato crucifix from last year still stands and seems strong still (I must still say, Thad stay away from it. No fires.). Since grass doesn't really seem to grow under teh tomatoes it seems the logical place for the herb garden.
First we framed it in with green treat 2x6's. This allowed us to level the ground there at least a little. Once we got the wood in the ground and secured we took all the sod off that did exist and tried to put it else where in the yard. I am sure it won't make it, but at least we tried. Once the sod was off we tilled the soil about 4 inches down. Once tilled we tried to level it out a little better than it was.
Next step was to amend in some good top soil. 500 pounds of good black dirt was dumped in and again moved around. But not to be out done, we then brought in another 500 pounds of fertilized planting soil to be worked into the mix too. If you look below you can really see the difference in the two (and compared to above, the 3) soil types.
Below is the final results of plants being in the ground. There are peppers, sage, basil, lavender, thyme, marigolds and more I think. I think left will be a few more "hot" peppers, maybe 1 Thai pepper and 1 habanero. The stones were added to give a little bit of a place to walk and the soaker hose hopefully will aid in keeping it all wet enough.
So Jamie Lou and I have Kerry, Tom, James and Peter to blame for the 2009 Great Tomato Incident. They gave Jamie Lou upside-down tomato hangers for her birthday. and long story short the 2 tomatoes we got after everything was all said and down ran us about $50.00 each. A lot of cash for 2 bad tomatoes. This year we decided to grow the operation you see. While again putting up 2 upside-down tomatoes (which we will tend to much more closely this year) Jamie Lou wanted and herb garden. So never one to ease into anything this weekend we made a 12 foot x 12 foot herb garden for her.
The tomato crucifix from last year still stands and seems strong still (I must still say, Thad stay away from it. No fires.). Since grass doesn't really seem to grow under teh tomatoes it seems the logical place for the herb garden.
First we framed it in with green treat 2x6's. This allowed us to level the ground there at least a little. Once we got the wood in the ground and secured we took all the sod off that did exist and tried to put it else where in the yard. I am sure it won't make it, but at least we tried. Once the sod was off we tilled the soil about 4 inches down. Once tilled we tried to level it out a little better than it was.
Next step was to amend in some good top soil. 500 pounds of good black dirt was dumped in and again moved around. But not to be out done, we then brought in another 500 pounds of fertilized planting soil to be worked into the mix too. If you look below you can really see the difference in the two (and compared to above, the 3) soil types.
Below is the final results of plants being in the ground. There are peppers, sage, basil, lavender, thyme, marigolds and more I think. I think left will be a few more "hot" peppers, maybe 1 Thai pepper and 1 habanero. The stones were added to give a little bit of a place to walk and the soaker hose hopefully will aid in keeping it all wet enough.
Out next debate is on how to top dress it. Jamie Lou wants newspaper and mulch. I would maybe say just mulch, but am really just fine with the way it is. We shall see... Getting done around 6PM last night we were at the stopping point (physically more than anything) and called it good. So here is to hoping 2010 tomatoes are MUCH better than the 2009.
