Mobile Greenhouse Project

Building a mobile greenhouse will extend your spring growing season giving your tomato plants or vegetables a head start in early spring! This 10' long x 24" wide greenhouse was built from 3/4" PVC pipes and connectors purchased from Home Depot and Lee Valley Tools. Once it is covered with plastic or fabric it can be secured to the ground with landscaping staples or a bamboo pole secured at each end. The ends can be opened for air flow during warmer days. When summer arrives you can take it apart and store in your basement or shed providing you did not glue the parts.  Opp's did I say don't glue it?  Providing you don't glue it, you can change the configuration of the greenhouse using the parts. A great winter project while we wait for warmer weather!

Organic fertilizer for Tomato Plants

This Organic fertilizer combination will produce strong green plants with loads of flowers producing big, juicy, great tasting tomatoes. Also, the addition of Agricultural Gypsum will reduce end blossom rot; and act as an amendment, conditioner and fertilizer. Once you have worked your soil, mix the Kelp meal, Fish bone meal, Alfalfa pellets or meal and Bone meal in a bucket then spread it evenly on top of the soil. The fish meal is yellowish in colour, therefore distribution will be evident. Work the fertilizer into the soil. This organic mixture quantity is good for 6 to 8 tomato plants spaced 2' apart.

2 cups Kelp meal         NPK  1-0.15-1.5  
2 cups Fish meal          NPK  6-12-0 
2 cups Alfalfa pellets   NPK  3-1-2  
4 cups Bone meal         NPK  4-10-0

Before planting add 1 cup of Agricultural gypsum into hole and mix well. Plant tomato plants as deep as possible and remove any leaves buried below soil level. The plant will produce roots along the buried stem and absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer. Water the hole before placing the plant to ensure a good start. Now stand back and watch them grow!

NPK - Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium

Tomato plants are heavy feeders and if you expect to get an exceptional crop, they need to be feed continually during the growing season. Last fall I harvested an amazing 50" long tomato stem root. I keep it in my root cellar for "show and tell events". The root was from a 7' tall cherry tomato plant that produced over 500+ cherry tomatoes! As you may know, plants need a blend of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) in order to grow. Nitrogen (N) is required for green leaves and develop a strong upper plant structure. Phosphorus (P) contributes to root growth, flowers and fruit development. Potassium (K) is a nutrient that increases crop harvest and enhances quality by contributing to the overall growing functions of the plant. The next time you purchase a bag of soil or fertilizer take note of the NPK ratio indicated on the bag. This information will form the basis in understanding the components in my outstanding Tomato Plant Fertilizer containing 5 organic fertilizers, that will be posted in a future post. Stay tuned!

Calibrachoa annual flower for hanging baskets

The Calibrachoa flowering annual is a must have for all gardeners. This relatively new flower is available as a potted plant at Home Depot, Loblaws Garden Centre or your local nursery. Unfortunately, this hybrid cultivar is patented and seeds are not available to the public at large. Bummer!  On the bright side, Calibrachoa is available in many colours, produce tons of flowers, self-cleaning (no need to deadhead), and love the sun. You can find this flower in the Stokes Seeds gardening catalogue located in the perennial section. In warm climates zone 9-11 (not in Canada) it also grows as perennial! It is similar to small petunias but more prolific and outstanding in number of flowers and rich colours. I use fresh Miracle-Gro Premium potting mix each year and the flowers kabloom! This is my go-to plant for hanging baskets!

DIY Raised Garden Bed

Raised garden beds are really popular because of the contained nature of the plants and when elevated can be easier to weed and nurture. The size can also be customized to the layout of your property and can be easily moved. I purchased two rough cedar boards 1"x 8"x 8' long at Home Depot for about $15.00 and constructed a box 2'x6' capable of holding 3 tomato plants spaced 2' apart. I used 3" deck screws (rust resistant) and pre-drilled the holes to resist the wood from splitting. You can use metal brackets or small pieces of cedar to strengthen the cedar box. If needed, two boxes can be assembled together to make a 16" high bed. In this example I planted climbing beans that grew up a 6' monofilament fishing line against the fence. The results, plenty of beans for the kitchen table!

DIY Fertilizer

This is a great winter project for the DIY enthusiast! Egg shells and banana peels contain calcium, phosphorus, potassium and micro-nutrients that benefit plant vitality, flowering, fruiting and root development. Dry your banana peels and finish the drying process in the oven at 150 degrees F or in the hot sun. Ditto for egg shells. Once the banana peels are very brittle and break, process them in a old coffee grinder. Ditto for the egg shells. The result is a fine ground powder that looks like salt and pepper. Once you have a reasonable volume, mix equal parts of each together in a plastic jar and shake. You now have a DIY fertilizer that can be used when planting your tomato plants in the spring! Mix 2-3 tablespoons into each hole when planting your tomatoes! It's free and it works!

Organic fertilizer rich in Magnesium Sulfate

I just purchased 4 kg of Epsom Salts unscented at the local drug store for $9.99 that I will be using as an organic fertilizer for my tomato plants! As you know, Epsom Salts is widely used for a relaxing mineral bath to relieve sore muscles and aching feet, however, it has been used for centuries as a fertilizer. It is rich in Magnesium Sulfate, a mined product that is not composed of organic life, therefore referred to as inorganic in nature. Research has shown that it enhances photosynthesis thus improves a plant's ability to produce flowers and fruit. Dig the hole for your tomato plant and toss 1 tablespoon of Epsom Salts and mix with soil. You can also water your plants during the growing season with 1 tablespoon mixed with 1 gallon water. Plants love it and it does not change the pH level of the soil.