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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
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STARTING A GARDEN IN THE EAST CAPE
Hola, i am starting a small vegetable and flower garden in the east cape and maybe now is not the time to do so due to the heat and humidity. i
already have a raised bed and will also have a container garden.
is there information available as to what plants do well and what plants can be grown throughout the year, their care and watering and feeding, etc. ?
i also already have 50% shade cloth if needed.
i already bought a bunch of different seeds for what i would like but am not sure what is possible to grow.
i thank you in advance,
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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gnukid
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Hmm you can benefit from a covered structure, such as a simple square palapa frame with flat top and use cover material that lets partial sun through
in Summer and can removed in Winter. if you prefer.
There is some rain through the Summer and early Fall so its a great time to start a garden and there is still lots of time in the growing season which
is extended on the East Cape compared to Northern climates.
Consider a visit to La Ribera Organic garden and MireFlores to get some ideas from local gardeners.
Tomatoes, Melons, Sunflower, Squash, Carrots, Onion, Beans, Corn, Peppers...
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mulegemichael
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..put your seeds away for the summer and plant in the fall...early...another tip; we blend all of our organic waste up into a slurry and lightly mix
it into the existing soil....it's like instant compost!...just put all you salad trimmings, eggshells, coffee grounds, etc into a blender, mix it up,
and pour it onto your garden area...it's really magic...do this all summer and when you get ready to plant in the fall, the soil is ready with tons of
organics...that's the key down here; organic matter in the soil..
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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Bob and Susan
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our stuff is growing just fine right now
green and healthy
plants ONLY need water and some "miracle grow"
lots of tomatoes lately
water is comming from the washer out back
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wessongroup
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Thanks for the information on your areas growing conditions.. it all helps
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Hook
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Seriously consider having a structure over it to keep out varmits and ESPECIALLY the birds. Use netting or some type of light wire on the structure.
The birds wait till fruits and veges are near ripe and then they hammer them.
Personally, I'd wait till fall. You wont need shade cloth again until the end of April for most things. And summer chubascos can wreak havoc on
crops, the shade cloth and any supports. The netting, too.
At the recommendation of Don Jorge on this board, I am right now working some sand, gypsum, alfalfa and some compost into my soon-to-be raised garden.
I'll then cover it with clear plastic sheeting and stake it down so that the summer sun will naturally sterilize the soil. I'll then remove it in late
October and get started.
There's a large chicken farm about a half a mile from my house, so chicken manure is cheap.
I'm with mulegemike................wait till fall.
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Mexitron
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Planting right now would entail using lots of water too. Why not set up a drip irrigation system this summer, then plant in the fall.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
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Hola, i thank you for your input but unfortunately, i'll be leaving in october and won't be returning until about mid february or so. i'll do as hook
suggests and add mulch and cover it over with plastic in hopes of sterilizing the soil.
is there information available as to what plants do well and what plants can be grown throughout the year, their care and watering and feeding, etc. ?
i'll also be going to the organic farm in la ribera seeking answers and possibly more seeds. would anyone possibly have an email address for them ?
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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Cardon Man
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The heat of the summer takes it's toll but with ample water and some shade you can keep on growing. We have all sorts of chiles, herbs ( basil,
cilantro, mint ), acelga ( swiss chard ), and others growing even now. Tomatoes have been tougher to keep up this time of year. Lettuce was growing
but got increasingly bitter as summer progressed.
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gnukid
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Western Garden book is very helpful, but practical experience is better. I find that the sandy soil is great with additions of compost. Late Summer
tends to be excellent as there is more water and more Sun.
http://www.sunset.com/garden/
Buena Fortuna Gardens in La Ribera are easy to find as you enter la cuerva exit to Cabo Pulmo/La Ribera I recall. Gabriel Howearth has been the mentor
there, he leads tours and can answer many questions. He had an email address at gabriel@alwaysseeds.org
The email is here but they might not be very responsive to email...
Kitzia Danel has been teaching there recently you can reach her here
luz.holistica@gmail.com or try 624 1683225
more http://www.rawpermaculture.org/2010/04/mexico-retreat/
Height of the grow season now!
[Edited on 7-29-2010 by gnukid]
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David K
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Regular, uniform irrigation will create the healthiest plants... slow, drip irrigation on a repeated schedule... daily until plant matures then 2-4
times per week depending on climate.
A battery powered timer if your electric source isn't there or reliable is the way to go.
The best way to water vegetable gardens or planter beds is with emitterline (also called 'dripperline). A polythelyne tube with emitters pre-installed
at regular intervals (every 12" for example). 1/4" emitterline can run up to 33 feet from the point of connection. 1/2" emitterline can run up to
200-300 feet (depending on the starting pressure). Do NOT use 'laser drilled tube' or the sweat-soakerhose. Neither has a long life nor uniform water
distribution.
I wrote quite a bit on irrigation for the Baja home garden in this forum a year or two ago...
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Mexicorn
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Start by making compost out of your throw away bio waste. Also that green shade stuff they sell at home depot in rolls makes great shade but does not
fare so well in the wind.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
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Hola, thank you for rejuvinating my initial post. i now have an 8 x 10 area raised garden and need to amend it as advised and create some shade for it
as it gets full baja sun. i'll be planting it more next year around march.
thank you again,
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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gnukid
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Walking Buena Fortuna La Ribera in March
I like a large fresh grapefruit
Go Bananas
[Edited on 7-30-2010 by gnukid]
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BajaBruno
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Nice photos, Gnukid. Maybe impractical examples for Da Rat's space, but nice photos.
Christopher Bruno, Elk Grove, CA.
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gnukid
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Roof top and wall gardens are a great choice, make boxes of plywood lined with plastic and a drain away from the roof-plastic bins or buckets with
drain holes can work too.
I had luck with winter crops which include winter squash, tomatoes, corn, beans, cilantro, spice, and lettuce. The winter is dry and windy in the
south with a shorter day so you need full exposure and watering systems. Put household compost in the bottom of the container and fill with soil/sand.
Sometimes sandy soil becomes compacted so anything you can do to open it up and aerate with rich bulky alternatives like compost is good even a pipe
with holes inserted into the container, or styrofoam could help. Compost is the gold of the desert. Or you can fill buckets of water and compost to
pour over the plants.
In a friends house on the east cape we bury compost in a different spot every day, it breaks down quickly and the plants love it. The ranches are
happy to give you some chicken manure and goat manure and ask around for guano-they might deliver or trade something. I have a friend that puts his
garden plants under upside buckets with holes for protection from elements-sun, wind and animals. The yard looks like a mess but under every bucket is
a healthy vegetable.
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wessongroup
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Some great photos, of finished goods.. really good use of "space" ... outstanding
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
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Hola, i thank you for all the feedback. i'll be going to home depot for some shade cloth but am going to wait until i return in march to do the garden
thing and will follow the recommendations given to me.
BIEN SALUD, DA RAT
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DENNIS
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Plant cactus.
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BAJA.DESERT.RAT
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WANT FOOD !
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