2023-02-20: Wave of Inspiration and Knowledge

Monday, February 20, 2023

High: 76.7

Low: 32.4

Mostly Cloudy

Information overload. Inspiration overload. Fear overload.

Today D came and we walked and talked in the yard for nearly two hours. I have a full page of notes, but here is a summary:

Soil is crushed rock. The bagged "raised bed mix" that consists of peat moss, coco coir, and bark doesn't actually contain soil that will last.
Planting into the ground leverages the warmth of the earth, whereas raised beds tend to have colder soil, and air can get into it from underneath.
The hoops are too high on the raised beds. It's easier to provide warmth if the wrapping is closer to the plants.
Native (clay-ey) soil should be added to the raised beds. That is what remains at the end of the day. She pointed out that the soil level of the raised beds drops over time because it is not composed of crushed rock
She recommended pulling mulch away from the base of the tree as an attempt to avoid disease (more on this later)
Plant some native grasses in the orchard to create a meadow. Possible options: Little Blue Stem, Switch Grass, Indian Grass
Broadcast some high-nitrogen fertilizer around the plants covered with wood chips to balance out the nitrogen deficiency that comes from the decomposer's requirements. I almost bought some fertilizer, but I think grass clippings will do the trick.
Keep indoor lights on for 16-18 hours to imitate long days. Not sunrise to sundown.
Cauliflower is best grown as a fall crop. It doesn't get bitter from the summer heat (?)
Root-bound plant starts from nurseries are no good.
Start melons, cucumbers, and squash from seed and then transplant them in about 10 days (before they get root-bound).
Rotate the crops. Don't grow the same thing in the same bed every year.
I can start native flowers and perennials in seed trays in the greenhouse in May (unheated) and plant them in the ground in late summer.
Get a warren hoe
To start a new bed in the ground: 1) cover with black plastic or tarp (cook the grass), 2) dig furrows, 3) cover with leaves
Growing pole beans using tepees made of bamboo in the new bed.
There exists a place called the Weaverville Leaf Dump, where I can bag up leaves for free. Bring a fork and some bags.

I pulled back the wood chips at the base of the fruit trees in the orchard. Two things stood out:

1. A few of the trees had big clusters of larvae. I posted photos on a facebook group and the consensus was that it is black soldier fly larvae. I did some research on it and it seems harmless, and actually beneficial because they are excellent decomposers (thanks Krsna).

2. There was some major canker on two of the peach trees. This led to research about peach tree borer. I'm sure that's what's going on there, and possible with some of the cherries and plums. I am going to dig around some more tomorrow and see if I can remove it and treat the trees. I learned that the jelly-like substance is produced from the tree as a defense mechanism. The "slime" is a sap that the tree pushes out to try to push the borer away.

I found a nice spot to harvest bamboo that doesn't appear to be on anyone's property, with ample space to park the car on the side of the road. Near the fire station.

I also worked on the shelving for the greenhouse. Made some good progress, and had fun doing the measuring, cutting, and screwing.

Noticed the first bud from the figaholics cuttings! It is on the Rigato Del Salento, started 11 days ago.

TODO list:

- In March, direct sow peas ("green arrow") into the patch near the greenhouse. Have them grow in a "band" (no need for a trellis) until it's time to plant sweet potato slips, around late May.

- Lay a tarp and plastic on the area where the new bed will be.

- Harvest some bamboo.

- Start acquiring leaves and grass clippings.

- Mix some native soil into the raised beds.

- Get a quote from a landscaping company to clear the side slope.