Transplanting 16 plants to a 5' x 12' bed
For each bed, I mix imidacloprid into a 5 gallon bucket, which I carry out to the bed ahead of time. Before I bring the tray of transplants outside, I mark off the bed and dig a divot for each plant.
On a cool and overcast day, the watering can wait until the entire bed is transplanted. If it's hot and sunny (like today), then I water after every 4 transplants. Two cups of water per plant will usually last at least a couple of days, sometimes a week, depending on conditions.
If the angry birds (usually starlings) pluck even one plant for nesting material [A pox upon your nest!], then I will cover every entire bed with Agribon AG-15 floating row cover for two or three weeks.
Today, I carefully weeded, then marked-off all the beds. After lugging 16 pounds of water out to the garden 3 times, I was able to transplant all three beds of my Corojo 99 (48 plants). I chose these to be the first (and the Guinea pigs), for two reasons: 1) I have 8 extras of Corojo 99 and 2) these three beds are the farthest from my hose. So these are the most tiring to do. In terms of energy savings, hauling the hose all the way out there, vs. a bucket with 2 gallons, carried three times is roughly equivalent, but the bucket is less of a hassle, and doesn't have to be re-coiled and hung.
This evening, I may transplant my 8 Little Yellow fellows (a dark-air variety) to their half-bed. But I have to say that this 71 year old fart is worn out already. [I feel the same as when I backpacked from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch in 2006--no pain, just zero remaining energy. "What? I have to lift the water all the way up to my mouth to drink?"] Our temps were in the mid 80s today. When I came back inside, after 3+ hours of work, I drank a 1/3 cup of pickle juice, followed by about 1 quart of water, 2 chocolate-dipped peanut butter wafer bars and a large glass of milk. Now I'm just sitting, watching adolescent bunnies chase each other around the un-mowed grass.
[Physiological note: If you become dehydrated from perspiration (or severe, watery diarrhea), electrolytes help a lot, but they are more easily and rapidly absorbed in the presence of sugar. So Gatorade that is sweetened with real sugar to taste like Kool-Aid is a near-perfect treatment.]
I do believe that most younger and fitter home growers could complete all 128 transplants in one tiring day. It helps to do this in the morning and evening, skipping mid-day, but I did morning and mid-day beneath a clear sky. Not a brilliant choice.
Bob
For each bed, I mix imidacloprid into a 5 gallon bucket, which I carry out to the bed ahead of time. Before I bring the tray of transplants outside, I mark off the bed and dig a divot for each plant.
On a cool and overcast day, the watering can wait until the entire bed is transplanted. If it's hot and sunny (like today), then I water after every 4 transplants. Two cups of water per plant will usually last at least a couple of days, sometimes a week, depending on conditions.
If the angry birds (usually starlings) pluck even one plant for nesting material [A pox upon your nest!], then I will cover every entire bed with Agribon AG-15 floating row cover for two or three weeks.
Today, I carefully weeded, then marked-off all the beds. After lugging 16 pounds of water out to the garden 3 times, I was able to transplant all three beds of my Corojo 99 (48 plants). I chose these to be the first (and the Guinea pigs), for two reasons: 1) I have 8 extras of Corojo 99 and 2) these three beds are the farthest from my hose. So these are the most tiring to do. In terms of energy savings, hauling the hose all the way out there, vs. a bucket with 2 gallons, carried three times is roughly equivalent, but the bucket is less of a hassle, and doesn't have to be re-coiled and hung.
This evening, I may transplant my 8 Little Yellow fellows (a dark-air variety) to their half-bed. But I have to say that this 71 year old fart is worn out already. [I feel the same as when I backpacked from the South Rim of the Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch in 2006--no pain, just zero remaining energy. "What? I have to lift the water all the way up to my mouth to drink?"] Our temps were in the mid 80s today. When I came back inside, after 3+ hours of work, I drank a 1/3 cup of pickle juice, followed by about 1 quart of water, 2 chocolate-dipped peanut butter wafer bars and a large glass of milk. Now I'm just sitting, watching adolescent bunnies chase each other around the un-mowed grass.
[Physiological note: If you become dehydrated from perspiration (or severe, watery diarrhea), electrolytes help a lot, but they are more easily and rapidly absorbed in the presence of sugar. So Gatorade that is sweetened with real sugar to taste like Kool-Aid is a near-perfect treatment.]
I do believe that most younger and fitter home growers could complete all 128 transplants in one tiring day. It helps to do this in the morning and evening, skipping mid-day, but I did morning and mid-day beneath a clear sky. Not a brilliant choice.
Bob
