Increasing Plantable Area in a Raised Bed Garden Continued (potatoes)

Over the past year we have instituted many strategies in our garden in order to plant more, yield more, and harvest more.

The photo above is one of our raised beds. We planted 3 rows at the base of this bed and probably planted between 15-25 potatoes here (way more potatoes than the recommendation in most planting resources). This area spans 6 or so feet along the length of the bed. Consider these potatoes our control group. We will judge the success of the bin method off of the growth that occurs here.

Compare that raised bed to these containers shown above. The black container on the left is a compost bin with the lid removed. Next to it are two old metal garbage cans. We loaded the bottom foot of each of these with compost. Dropped 20-30 potatoes into each bin. Applied a foot or so of hay or straw. 

All blue.

Fingerling potato

Not sure what this potato is. We didn't mark the bins. 

As the potatoes grow, we add more hay until the potatoes grow to the top. Then we harvest. The only problem that I see with this method involves mice. We planted potatoes in bags last year and the little field mice ate them all! 

Compare the planting of potatoes in the ground versus a bin:

The bin holds the same amount of potatoes as 6 linear feet of bed space.

The bin allows for very tall plants, thus increasing yields.

When the plants are finished growing, we can simply dump out the bins instead of digging up the potatoes as we would from the ground.

Have you grown potatoes this way? What are your thoughts?

Featured on KXLY Blog

When we had our plant sale a nice gal from KXLY came by. She took some photos, asked some questions, and said to keep an eye out for a blog post about us. Sure enough.

http://spokanecounty.kxly.com/news/pets/halpern-homestead-deals-loss/47436

There Goes the Neighborhood!

This past Feburary we had an eagle visit the homestead. 

This past Saturday a Blue Heron came to visit.

It appeared as though the bird was trying to land in our small pond. It happens to be loaded with gold fishes right now. My dad thinks that's what may have brought him over to visit. I was in the greenhouse when he landed in the tree. He flew away when I went into the house to get the camera, but came back a short time later.

Either way, it was a beautiful sight and we welcome a return visit in the future.

He flew away when I tried to get a closer look.

See you later heron.

Do you have any exciting visitors at your place this time of year?

Thanks for reading!

Worst Farmer Ever

When I was a kid, I dreamt of becoming a veterinarian. I found an injured bunny when I was 10 and tried my very hardest to nurse it back to health. I put the little guy in a crate and watched it slowly die. I was devastated. That was my first experience death.

Since we began our journey through the country life, I have had a significant increase of these experiences. The first chicken we lost was a barred rock named Dolly. She was attacked by a dog and we had to put her down. Others followed suit through tragic or unexpected events and I felt myself handling death better.. When rhonda (our very first chicken) died last summer in my arms, I felt myself taking a step back in my progress.

Again, I healed and again, we lost another pet. Sophie the goose was one of a kind. This time I was vengeful and just wanted to kill the coyotes that took her. Then just as I begin to heal from her, I lose my first puddy tat.

He was so beautiful. He had the markings of a tiger and a coat so soft.

From the moment he arrived, he took a liking to me. He would 'knead' me and cuddle into my neck. I welcomed his affection, even though he would cause my skin to break out in hives.

He was so curious.

And he was always seeking contact with his humans.

Just a few days ago I was playing with him in the field. Today, I am without him. My heart physically hurts. We buried him yesterday. He didn't even look like himself. He didn't even feel like him. Is that strange?

Why do we allow ourselves to love someone so freely, when the pain of losing them is difficult? I think it's because the time we have with them is so worth the pain we feel when they are no longer with us.

So, here is to my boy Henry. I love you and I miss you. I may be the worst farmer ever, but I dont think I would want it any other way.

Tomatoes Are Now Planted!

It is time for tomatoes. We planted the outdoor tomatoes this past Sunday.

Aren't they tall?

This is probably the best thing I have loaded into the wheelbarrow this season. Some of these tomato plants are nearly 3feet tall. These are the most impressive tomatoes we have ever grown.

This one is loaded with blossoms.

We planted 12 in total. 9 outside and 3 in the greenhouse. 6 different varieties. 

Unfortunately, the weather decided to get a little wet and cold on us and we had to cover the tomatoes up.

There is a lot of potential food being protected here.

All tucked in for the night.

How are your tomatoes doing?

Cats In Awe and a RIP

Why are these cats on the table? We don't eat cats so there must be a reason for this behavior.

It must be something good if I am able to photograph up close, these two typically photo shy boys.

Is it a beautiful young female cat?

Or a nice ball of yarn?

Perhaps a bunch of squeaky little mice!

Nope. Just a bug in the light fixture making all sorts of noise.

Silly cats!

This evening we found Henry laying in some grass next to our dirt road. He had been hit by a car. He died there. We buried him amongst the tall field grasses that he loved to hide in so much. He will be missed. He was The Halpern Homestead's first cat, and a great one he was. He caught mice, he chased chickens and squirrels and other birds, and he really loved his momma!

Potted Pepper Method

The traditional last frost date for the Spokane area is said to be May 15th. So, you should be able to plant tomatoes and peppers on the 15th according to that recommendation. We have found that in our area, this date is not accurate. We have lost warm weather plants to frost as late as June 10th. Because of this, when we do plant our tomatoes and peppers we use great caution. We check and double check the forecast for the week. Then we go for it if all is 'clear'.

Yesterday 5/29/11 was that day. It was beautiful and sunny all afternoon. We are trying a method for our peppers this year that we had some success with last season.

We are planting all of our peppers and eggplant in pots, in the ground. The reason behind this is so that once the flowers are pollenated and we are near the end of the season. We can move the plants inside to the greenhouse. We can extend the growing season by a good month within the greenhouse. We tried this method with a few plants last year and had some success. 

This year we went all out. All 10 of our pepper plants and all 4 eggplants are in pots, in the ground.

To underscore the unpredictability of Spokane's weather.

Shortly after I finished planting, a wind and rain storm came to our area. Strong winds and tropical down pour. Somethings you just can't predict. I guess we should leave the row cover on for a few days.

Least the pees don't mind a little rain.

How is your garden doing?