So far so good in the garden

Growing up in central Indiana I ate tomatoes like apples in the summer. So imagine my shame in an inability to grow tomatoes. Until now, I hope.

The raised vegetable bed we put in six weeks ago is starting to show signs that we may actually have fresh tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash and cucumbers before long. The carrots planted by seed are coming up, about an inch now. And the radishes planted by seed are about 2-3 inches tall now.

Some of the plants show signs of being chewed on, but not so much that I’m resorting to pesticides yet. If I can just keep away those giant grasshoppers that forage in my flower beds last year, the vegetable garden should be fine.

It started out a little rough, which is why I think there was the initial insect taste-tasting episode. Insects are attracted to plants under stress. It was my fault then. We used top soil amended with composed manure, which I thought would provide enough nutrients. When I finally realized a couple of plants were looking a little pale green, along with chewed on, I added some quick action fertilizer three weeks ago and hit it again last week. The plants look much healthier.

I planted the radish seeds in a circle around the squash, and around the cucumber for good measure. We learned in our Master Gardener 2009 class that this will help keep the squash vine borers away.

And like the good little MG wanna-be that I am, I am waiting to mulch the vegetable bed until the temperature rise. We also learned this will allow the soil to heat up, which is what the vegetables like.

With the rain so far (loud knocking on wood) I’ve only had to water once or twice. A raised bed will need more frequent watering than an in-ground bed, but so far with all the rain the plants are doing just fine.

That brings me to another subject. Anyone who leaves his automatic sprinkler system running when it is raining should go immediately to the nearest corner and hang your head in shame.

I know you’re out there. A couple of you live on the route of my slow shuffling.

As one who regularly breaks mechanical things with a single glance, I can understand the hesitation in reprogramming the automatic system over and over. However, there is a simple device you can add that will cut off the water for you during rain showers _ a rain senor.

We learned in class that other states require the rain sensor for every sprinkler system. And in Texas watering during a rain shower means a stiff fine.

Another thing while the soapbox is already out: just because you can water three times a week, doesn’t mean you should. With the exception of newly planted lawns and some fussy recently installed plants, an inch of water each week is plenty.

Buy your own rain gauge instead of depending on media reports. You know how rain showers often skip around, pouring down on south Augusta or Columbia County while ignoring the Hill area, for example. Also, know how long you need to run your sprinkler system to get that one inch. Set out same sizes containers, like empty tuna cans, around the yard and time how long it takes to get an inch.

Your water bills will be lower for it. And the garden gnome won’t have to resort to some gnome-like behavior with your sprinklers.