Terrace Square Foot Garden: Summer Planting Diary Week4
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Week4: July 21, 2024 - July 27, 2024
Key Tasks: Thin out chili pepper seedlings, Install supports for chili peppers and eggplants, and apply liquid fertilizer.
Day 21: Sunday, July 21, 2024, Sunny
Observation and Records: Observation Time - 5 PM
The seedling in red circle is different from other 3
Today, Dora pointed out something interesting: we planted only three chili pepper seeds, but we have four seedlings growing in that spot. After a closer look, we noticed that the first seedling to sprout looks different from the other chili pepper seedlings. Any experienced gardeners out there who can tell what this mystery plant is? Or is it just a weed?
We plan to thin the chili pepper seedlings this week, leaving only one. We planted two eggplant seeds, but only one has sprouted, so no thinning is needed there.
We conducted a pest inspection today and found no signs of disease or pests on our vegetables, although we did spot a few flying insects now and then.
Today's Tasks:
Transplanted Vegetables
The soil surface shows signs of drying, but it's still moist deeper down, so we watered as usual.
We also did a pest inspection, with the next one scheduled in three days.
Experience and Insights:
Daily observations and completing everyday tasks are key to successful gardening and bring continuous joy.
Tomorrow's Plan:
We'll continue monitoring the growth of the chili peppers and eggplant, thinning and installing supports as needed.
We’ll also keep an eye on the pumpkins, cucumbers, and bitter melons, hoping they’ll start climbing the trellis this week.
Day 22: Monday, July 22, 2024, Sunny
Day 22
Observations and Records: Observation Time - 5 PM
Day 22: Transplanted Vegetables
The chili pepper seedlings have grown four leaves. We plan to thin them out tomorrow or the day after, and remove the mystery seedling as well.
The eggplant seedling has noticeably grown taller today.
The Bush Beans are growing straighter and faster now that we’ve installed supports.
Our climbing plants—pumpkins, bitter melons, and cucumbers—are also doing well. Hopefully, they’ll start climbing the trellis within the next two weeks.
Today's Tasks:
The soil surface shows signs of drying, but it’s still moist deeper down, so we watered as usual.
Experience and Insights:
Daily observations and completing everyday tasks are the foundation of successful gardening, and they bring continuous joy.
Tomorrow's Plan:
We might thin the chili peppers and remove the mystery plant.
Day 23: July 23, 2024, Tuesday, Sunny
Observations and Records: Observation Time - 5 PM
Day 23 Transplanted Vegetables
Today, the bitter melon and cucumber plants have noticeably grown taller. The bitter melon has a thin vine at the top, signaling it’s ready to start climbing.
We didn’t thin the chili pepper seedlings today; I think they need to grow a bit taller first.
I found about a dozen tiny black flying insects on and around the Bok Choy leaves.
Today's Tasks:
The soil surface is drying out more than before, so I increased the watering. Normally, I water the entire planter box once, but today I watered it twice.
I went online to identify the black flying insects and discovered they are likely Fungus Gnats. I plan to buy yellow sticky traps to deal with them.
Experience and Insights:
Fungus Gnats
Fungus Gnats Quick Facts:
Characteristics: Very small, black, and attracted to moist soil.
Identification: Slow-flying adults, larvae in the soil.
Damage: Adults cause little harm, but larvae in the soil can eat plant roots, leading to poor growth, wilting, and even death.
Control: Reduce watering frequency, keep the soil surface dry, and use yellow sticky traps.
Tomorrow's Plan:
Thin the chili pepper seedlings and remove the mystery plant.
Manually remove Fungus Gnats until the yellow sticky traps arrive.
Day 24: July 24, 2024, Wednesday, Sunny
Day 24
Observations and Records: Observation Time - 5 PM
Day 24: bitter melon's delicate vine
Day 24: Transplanted Vegetables
The bitter melon has sent out another thin vine today.
The Fungus Gnats we noticed yesterday have almost completely disappeared; I only found one and took care of it manually.
I also found and removed a weed next to the Bush Beans.
Today's Tasks:
Given yesterday's appearance of Fungus Gnats and the forecast for rain tomorrow, I decided not to water the garden today. I was prepared to deal with more Fungus Gnats manually but couldn't find any.
I gently guided the bitter melon's delicate vine onto the jute netting to help it start climbing. I also thinned the chili pepper seedlings and transplanted the mystery plant into another pot.
Experience and Insights:
For vine vegetables, you can manually assist them in climbing the trellis.
Tomorrow's Plan:
The next three days are forecasted to be rainy with strong winds. I'll need to keep a close eye on the plants.
Day 25: July 25, 2024, Thursday, Rain to Clear
Day 25
Observations and Records: Observation Time - 5 PM
Day 25: Transplanted Vegetables
The two bitter melon vines at the top have latched onto the trellis. I gently tugged them to ensure they were secure.
Due to strong winds, the pumpkin had toppled over, so I propped it up and guided it onto the trellis.
I only spotted one Fungus Gnat today, which I promptly dealt with.
The chili peppers and eggplants are growing slowly.
The soil is very moist from today's rain.
Today's Tasks:
Due to the rain, no watering was needed today.
Experience and Insights:
Day 25: bitter melon vines have latched onto the trellis
Manually helping vine plants latch onto the trellis is a very effective method.
Tomorrow's Plan:
With rain and strong winds expected over the next two days, I need to keep a close eye on the plants.
Once the rain stops, I'll prepare to fertilize the vegetables.
Day 26: July 26, 2024, Friday, Light Rain
Observations and Records: Observation Time - 2 PM
Day 26: Radish’s Root
I noticed today that the roots of the radishes have started to thicken significantly. According to my research, they should be ready to harvest in about two weeks.
Due to strong winds over the past couple of days, the bitter melon's vines were blown off the trellis. I carefully guided them back onto the trellis by hand.
The Bush Bean and zucchini that were transplanted to another pot during thinning are growing taller but show signs of leaning in the wind.
No Fungus Gnats were seen today.
The chili peppers and eggplants are still growing slowly.
The soil is very moist from today's rain.
Day 26: Transplanted Vegetables
Today's Tasks:
No watering was needed today due to the rain.
I installed supports for the transplanted Bush Bean and zucchini to prevent them from toppling over.
Experience and Insights:
None
Tomorrow's Plan:
With the rain expected to stop tomorrow, I'll prepare to fertilize the vegetables.
Day 27: July 27, 2024, Saturday, Cloudy
Observations and Records: Observation Time - 5 PM
Today, I truly realized how plants are always moving. Here's a set of photos: the left one shows the bitter melon vine before fertilizing, and the right one shows it half an hour after fertilizing. You can clearly see the vine gripping the trellis more tightly.
Fungus Gnats reappeared in large numbers today. The brief disappearance of Fungus Gnats was likely due to them hiding from the rain. Next week, I'll try using yellow sticky traps to manage them.
The chili peppers and eggplants are still growing slowly.
The soil remains very moist from today's rain.
Today's Tasks:
Applied liquid fertilizer to the vegetables for the first time since planting.
Experience and Insights:
Tips for Applying Liquid Fertilizer:
Timing: Apply the first dose of fertilizer 2-3 weeks after the plants have sprouted. In summer, it's best to fertilize in the early morning or late afternoon when it's cooler.
Tools Needed: A watering can with a long spout to distribute the diluted fertilizer near the plant roots, a measuring cup for precise dilution, and a syringe for accurately measuring the concentrated fertilizer. Some concentrated fertilizers only require a few drops to be diluted for use in over 100 quarts of soil.
Fertilizer Selection: For beginners, a general vegetable liquid fertilizer is suitable for home use. With more experience, you can choose fertilizers with different NPK ratios tailored to the vegetable's growth stage.
Frequency: Follow the instructions on the fertilizer packaging. Like eating, it's better to apply smaller amounts more frequently. If the recommendation is every three weeks, you could fertilize weekly but use only one-third of the suggested amount each time. This requires more frequent applications but can be adjusted based on your schedule.
Steps for Applying Liquid Fertilizer:
Calculate the amount of diluted fertilizer needed based on the soil volume in your Square Foot Garden. Use 1-2 fl oz of diluted fertilizer per gallon of soil.
Determine the amount of concentrated fertilizer needed based on the dilution ratio provided in the instructions, halving the amount for seedlings. It's better to start with less fertilizer and add more later if needed, rather than risk damaging the roots with too much.
Dilute the concentrated fertilizer with water according to the calculated amounts, using a measuring cup to allocate the fertilizer evenly across your garden sections, applying it near the plant roots.
After fertilizing, water lightly to help the fertilizer reach deeper into the soil. Avoid heavy watering immediately after fertilizing to prevent over-dilution.
Tomorrow's Plan:
Tomorrow, I'll use yellow sticky traps to tackle the Fungus Gnats. Stay tuned for the results.