Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

Mary Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells

And pretty maids all in a row.






Monday, July 2, 2012

Harvesting & Failures

I am learning so much this year. What works in containers in South Carolina and what doesn't work as well.  We are having an unusually HOT summer earlier than normal. 

Lesson 1
The Sweet Corn in the pots did not fare well. It started out growing well, then once it got about 1/3 the grown size it started to turn brown and became deformed. 

Stunted & Deformed Cord
 The corn in the raised bed aside the porch in a shadier place is growing well. Next year all corn will be over there and not in a container.

 Lesson 2
The Pole beans need more room to climb than what I strung up around the containers. I have purchased a flexible trellis for next year to use near the back side of the house. This will be used for the Pole beans as well as Cucumbers.

Lesson 3
The Tomatoes need to be in a shadier place. Morning sun with mixed afternoon sun is enough in South Carolina.

Lesson 4
Stagger the seeding of the Zucchini and Summer Squash so it doesn't all come at once.

Lesson 5
Lettuce & Spinach seems to be a Spring crop. Start earlier & stagger.

Lesson 6
The Brussel Sprouts need deeper containers.

Lesson 7
Move garden to other side of the patio where it will receive less afternoon sun.

I plan to start my plants in the greenhouse in February, and plant as early as March 1st depending on the weather and frost dates. I can keep them on the screened porch before I plant outside.

As of think of more lessons that I have learned I will post them.

Huge, Beautiful & Tasty Red Peppers