Irrigation System Project. 4.18.2021

 Here is the start of my new irrigation system.  There is still a lot of work to be done, and more parts to buy.

I buried the stretch of 1/2 inch tubing that goes from the tap to the garden.  It's easily depressable, and I don't want to trip over it or mow it, so it's buried in 3/4 inch vinyl pipe that was lying around for years.

Here is the splitter.  We still have access to the regular garden hose.  The irrigation system side also has an anti-siphen valve. 

This drone view shows most of the area I want to irrigate.  I think I need four separate lines, each with its own shut-off valve.  One for sweet corn area, and strawberries.  Corn requires a higher volume output.  One for miniature fruit trees, which I think I'll set up with soakers.  The tomatoes will also get soakers, I think, which is good to prevent soil borne diseases from contaminating the leaves.  The raised beds will get 1/4 inch drippers, which I think will be easier to judge the output.  It will all depend on how I feel about each arm of the system.  Maybe tomorrow or the next day, the section for raised beds will be completed and ready for testing.  There are various complications in each area, which I will work out as I go.

Seedling Update. 4.18.2021

 Here are the current seedlings.  Some of the tomatoes, all of the potatoes, a few of the peppers, the marigolds, and early started lettuce are all planted outside.  Today I up-potted the seedlings of dwarf tomato varieties and kept a few extras.

All that's left to start are some squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers.  If I'm in the mood for it, I might plant some Swiss chard and a few other veggies directly in the garden now, and of course corn and beans in May and June.

Daffodils are Still Blooming. 4.15.2021

It's nice to see that some of the daffodils are still blooming.

 

Grafts Progress Notes. Apples and Chestnuts. 4.16.2021

 Grafts look OK so far.  It's early to see much growth, but the buds are swelling.  These are the top tiers for the espaliers.

These are the new chestnut grafts..  So far so good.

 

Planting Tomato Plants and Potato Tubers. 4.16.21

 It's an unusually warm, even hot Spring.  Days into the 80s, but nights into high 30s to low 40s.  I decided to plant out the rest of the first group of tomato plants.  I am covering them on the coldest nights.

No photos of the potatoes.   They were from Fedco in Maine.  Varieties Algonquin (Early variety), Envol ("The earliest of the early"), Kennebec (my favorite, a very good baker) mid season, and Russet Burbank (Always good) late season.  

This is about the earliest that I have planted tomatoes, and the latest I have planted potatoes.

The Clancy potato seedlings have been doing OK.  There were some freezes, and there are a few frosted leaves, but they seem to be growing well.  I covered them on those freezing nights for protection.