Pics of Second time Around

[cadetfarmer]

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Couple pics of corn and cabbages, planted 7/24/2010, and maters that the local garden center gave me and I set out 7/10/2010

Cadet Farmer

[Diz Jr.]

Looking good cadetfarmer
How long of a growing season do you have there? Will the corn make it?

[cadetfarmer]

I planted like type corn last year on Aug. 2 and it made, so I believe it will.
Most years I pick Maters until Nov. 1, or there abouts.

I have been experimenting with double cropping here for 3 years now, and have had better luck with my fall crops than with spring.

I am originally from northern Illinois, so this idea of a long growing season still worries me, even after 25 years.

Cadet Farmer
I am also kinda stubborn, once I get an idea I usually don't quit.

[cadetfarmer]

about 180 days, in answer to your question.

[ACecil]

Your garden looks great!

[Diz Jr.]

Thats interesting cadetfarmer
I need to work me up a spot in the spring and do a small garden. I plow a couple for others but never do one for myself.

[cadetfarmer]

One thing to remember, the hotter it is when you plant, or transplant, the more water you need. I always water in the evening or very early morning, to avoid evaporation.

Remember though I start my fall garden in July, and it gets 100deg. here in July and Aug. with little rain, very stressful for young plants. When they get started though it is amazing how fast they grow.

Always gotta remember, 90 day crops. First frost here comes late Oct. or early Nov.

Just some of my observations, and things I read;
Cadet Farmer

[T-Mo]

Since I'm just less than 100 miles due east of you, we have the same type weather. My dad used to put out large gardens, but it was always in the spring, which means most of the crops were ready for harvest July and August. He would have tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupe, lettuce, green beans, peas, corn, squatch, potatoes, etc. Come late summer we would be stringing beans, shucking corn, picking tomatoes, etc. and my mom would start canning everything.

That's been over 30 years ago and most of what I learned I've forgotten. The only garden I've planted was about 3 or 4 years ago and it did okay, but I got lot to learn here.

[cadetfarmer]

TMo.

When I was growing up in Illinois, my Dad used to actually plant sweet corn with his 290 JD planter and H Farmall, usually a couple 2 or 3 acres. We also had another acre or so of the usual Maters, beans, peas, cabbage, carrots etc.

Then another half acre of melons, not to mention 100 head of cattle, 100 or so hogs, the odd 1,000 chickens, some alfalfa, and 50 or 60 acres on corn and oats.

Did I mention my Dad also worked 40-50 hrs. a week as a welder.
He always said idle hands are the devil's work shop, so he kept us bussyy.

Now my brother and I only have 2 acres or so between us, diveded up between 4 different places, and might pickup another acre next year.

I guess we are not restorers, we have too much fun playing with our stuff.

Cadet Famer May God Bless this U.S.A.

[T-Mo]

Cadet Farmer,
Our dads could be brothers. My dad was providing for his family at age 8, growing crops, hopping on the train to go to the biggest town to sell the crops. He worked 40 hours a week, and at times overtime, drove 60 miles a day to work and back and then come home and work till dark. He did this until he was 65 when he retired from the rail road. He expected me and my brothers to work just as hard, working in the garden, cutting and chopping wood, etc. He had two to three acres worked up for a garden. He always wore long sleeved shirts over an t-shirt and always wore overalls. He never complained about the heat, nor the cold - just went out there and did it.

I wish I was half the man my dad was.