Dgbama 2014 grow blog

[DGBAMA]

Serious question, opinions needed. The patch runs east to west lengthwise. Should I plant long rows? Or lots of short crosswise ones?

 

[Brown Thumb]

Use a sun chart for solar electricity for your area it will give you the best sunlight.

 

[Mad Oshea]

I would say long, and plant the Orientals and Turkish on the west end due to heat tolerance. If You are not sure about the out side edge- Plant more. LOL It will be less work long is why I said it. Water from the high side (JOKE) Less problem and a lot less water work on long rows as well. Side to side will be a problem on the whole thing start to finnish. Good Question.

 

[deluxestogie]

In terms of maximizing the sun exposure, I would suggest:

• plant in double rows, with the plants staggered (in-row spacing between the two staggered rows)
• plant in long rows
• place an aisle between each pair of staggered rows
• plant shorter varieties to the south of taller varieties (just categorize as short, average or very tall)
• consider a single north-south aisle in the center, for easier access to the center of the plot

Bob

 

[leverhead]

For the last two years my rows have been East-West, this year it's going to be North-South. For me, shorter rows are easier to get stuff out of at harvest.

 

[Mad Oshea]

In terms of maximizing the sun exposure, I would suggest:

• plant in double rows, with the plants staggered (in-row spacing between the two staggered rows)
• plant in long rows
• place an aisle between each pair of staggered rows
• plant shorter varieties to the south of taller varieties (just categorize as short, average or very tall)
• consider a single north-south aisle in the center, for easier access to the center of the plot

Bob

Alot to think about and I agree. On harvest I pull out the blade and"BATTLE"! LOL

 

[Mad Oshea]

I tend to forget Your irrigation needs there. I have to water every thing in the ground I plant. Or it will be dead in a day. I'm in the dead-sert. DU. It is a different type of everything on a grow as well as cure to kiln and store what I do. Sorry.( still fun)

 

[DGBAMA]

In terms of maximizing the sun exposure, I would suggest:

• plant in double rows, with the plants staggered (in-row spacing between the two staggered rows)
• plant in long rows
• place an aisle between each pair of staggered rows
• plant shorter varieties to the south of taller varieties (just categorize as short, average or very tall)
• consider a single north-south aisle in the center, for easier access to the center of the plot

Bob

Thanks Bob. That is exactly what I planned, except the access row N/S in the middle which is a good idea.

The west end shades first in the afternoon due to trees; so I planned to put my cigar varieties at that end.

 

[DGBAMA]

The retaining wall rain collector works. Need a bigger container.

 

[DGBAMA]

The starting table is looking like a jungle.. Need to plant soon.

 

[Knucklehead]

Very nice seedlings. How's the patch coming along? We seem to be getting some rain every few days. I moved mine back outside yesterday, then had to put them back under the truck camper today due to rain.

 

[DGBAMA]

My friend reports the new patch looks great. Good rain but no flooding. I will have a look tmro. Crazy weather has me thinking one more week before planting.

 

[Rickey60]

I think the cold weather is over for our area. I planted my veg garden this week. I would plant some of my bacca but they are not ready yet. They are about 3 weeks away.

 

[Knucklehead]

Mine just need hardening off and a good forecast. Prediction is for mostly cloudy with occasional rain for the next several days so I don't know how much hardening is going to happen until we get some sunshine.

 

[grgfinney]

DG you are going to have a jungle of baccy soon as you get some decent weather and they get in the ground

 

[DGBAMA]

Got the big patch ready to plant today. Settled on three double rows with lots of room between. Also divided the patch in the middle crosswise for access; thanks Bob for the suggestion.



Plants are growing like crazy. Ready to be put in the ground.

 

[Knucklehead]

That is some good looking dirt! Are you waiting for these storms to pass? I almost started planting today but the forecast looked awful.

 

[DGBAMA]

That is some good looking dirt! Are you waiting for these storms to pass? I almost started planting today but the forecast looked awful.

James Spann is giving warnings already. But the NWS only says thunderstorms, with no notes of severe weather. Temp forecast is fairly stable and wind forecast fairly low. Not sure. Definitely don't want freshly planted seedlings doused with 3"of rain. But this IS Alabama, my side of the street may not even get wet. Lol.

 

[BarG]

Better safe than sorry, give it till the weather clears.

 

[DGBAMA]

I put off planting till next weekend due to threat of severe weather, but I did finish getting the weed cloth laid, do the big patch is 100% ready and waiting for plants.

Pic does not do justice to the size (no tractor, just a walk behind tiller, shovel, and rake). Settled on 3 3' rows, 120' long. 5' between rows.