PlanterTomato Vegetable Gardening

How to Add A Home Office, Studio, Gym or Other Structure To Your Garden

Renovating a home is a major expense and it can really disrupt your life. Depending on where you live, getting the proper building permit can also be a major headache.  If you would like a little extra space to create a home office, artists studio, hobby room, wood shop, honey house, kid play house or home gym, there are a number of companies that sell kits that allow you to build these structure relatively inexpensively compared to traditional renovation and without many of the hassles.

In many urban and suburban areas, traditional construction requires local government review of plans, permits, inspections etc.  Navigating the process requires some experience and probably is best left in the hands of a professional contractor or architect.  However, most communities will allow you to put a "shed" on your property without permits and inspections.  And this is where the fun begins because a number of companies now sell building kits that qualify as sheds under local zoning rules, but are really beautiful small spaces that look like traditional housing additions.  Here's the scoop....

While the rules will vary from community to community, most communities don't require a permit or inspection if the structure is less than 120 square feet.  In my community in Northern California the rules also stipulate that you not run electricity or water to your shed. (Some communities put restrictions on the number of "habitable" buildings that can be put on a particular piece of land.)  What all this really means is that these sheds aren't really practical as long-term living spaces for guests or elderly relatives but they are great for pretty much every other use you can think of.  You probably could get away with letting house guests stay in one of these sheds for a few days if furnish it with a sleeper sofa.

In my area the weather is so temperate that a structure like this could be used 2 or 3 seasons of the year without heat.  However, I suspect that by adding a kerosene space heater you could make it a habitable space even in the dead of Winter without violating any zoning rules.

If you search the Internet, you can find a number of companies selling shed kits in a variety of styles from traditional to quite modern (see photos below).  Price are generally $70-$100 per square foot based on the ones I've seen ($8-12,000 for a typical small space).  That's pretty cheap when you consider that new construction costs over $200 per square foot in many suburban communities and renovation is generally even more expensive.

If adding a structure to your garden is of interest to you, check out some of these companies:

MetroShed

Shedshop

Modern Shed

Modern Cabana

Top 5 Ideas For Earth Day That Save You Money While Saving The Planet

Here are five things that you can do that will help you save the planet while also improving your garden and putting some cash back in your pocket.

Five Ideas For  Earth Day:

1. Create a Compost Pile & Improve the Yield of Your Garden - Instead of throwing vegetable scraps and yard waste into the garbage, turn these materials into compost. Gardeners benefit from composting because it creates nutrient rich humus that can be used in the to improve the yield of their gardens. Gardeners also save money because they don't need to buy packaged compost or other fertilizers. Composing is good for the environment because it lowers pollution. Materials that are composted don't need to be transported to the dump, so no fossil fuels are used to dispose of them.  Composting also reduces the amount powerful greenhouse gases released into the environment. When organic material is placed in a landfill it gets buried where it can't be exposed to oxygen.  Without oxygen, the materials decomposes anaerobically and produces methane gas.  In contrast, when organic materials are composted at home, they do get exposed to oxygen because the compost pile is turned and because worms and other critters help aerate the soil. Organic matter decomposed in a compost pile does produce carbon dioxide which is also a greenhouse gas, but carbon dioxide is less damaging than methane. Carbon dioxide is only about half as damaging as methane. So given the choice between producing either of these gases, we are better off composting at home than sending organic materials to the dump.  To learn how to build a compost bin, check out my posting How to Build A Compost Bin, and How To Compost.    
2. Reduce Water Consumption & Save on Your Water Bill - There are many ways gardeners can reduce the amount of water they use in their gardens; you can replace hand watering with drip irrigation, use a barrel to catch rainwater, or mulch to reduce evaporation of water applied to your garden. If you buy municipal water, lowering your water consumption also means lowering your water bills. Lower water consumption benefits the environment because less water has to be taken from fresh water sources that are habitats for fish, birds and other critters that need the water as much as we do.  If you would like to create a drip irrigation, check out my prior posting Drip Irrigation Made Easy.  
   
3. Create A Vegetable Garden & Eat Healthier - If you are only doing ornamental gardening, Earth Day is a good opportunity to begin planting edibles.  Vegetables from your own garden are the freshest possible and generally way better than what can be purchased from a grocery store because you can select varieties that are bred for taste, not how well they withstand shipment.  If you are concerned about GMO's, growing your own veggies ensures that the food you eat has not been modified. Starting a vegetable garden also helps the environment because you are sourcing your food locally versus having it transported over long distances that requires the use of fossil fuels.  Growing your own, also means that you can control the soil amendments and pest control products that get applied to your garden and select ones that are low or no impact.  If you need help planning a vegetable garden, check out my prior posts on Free Garden Planning Software, How To Grow Tomatoes In Containers, and Growing Tomatoes in Containers four systems compared part one and part two. 
   
   
   
4. Reduce or Eliminate Harsh Pesticides From Your Garden - If you are using harsh pesticides consider using beneficial insects such as nematodes, lady bugs and lace wings to keep harmful pests at bay or switching to an organic pesticide like those sold by Safer Brand. The best reason to reduce or eliminate harsh pesticide from your garden is that these chemicals have been linked to all sorts of human health problems from brain damage to cancer.  As many of you know, pesticides don't discriminate between the "good guys" and "bad guys." They are just as likely to kill butterflies, bees, birds and beneficial insects like lady bugs and preying mantises as they are to kill aphids, earwigs, and thrips.  The most environmentally friendly pest control is to use beneficial insects such as nematodes to destroy japanese beetles or lace wings to devour aphids.  You can attract beneficial insects by providing good habitat for them, or by purchasing them from your local garden store or from a mail order specialist such as Arbico Organics. Beneficial insect will control but not completely eliminate pests.  The idea is to keep the population of bad bugs in check and to limit the damage they cause. Beneficial insects are the safest and most environmentally safe way to protect your garden but they are also more expensive and results take longer to manifest. If you prefer using a pesticide, use an organic one. Organic pesticides may be safer depending on the product used. Organic pesticides are ones where the active ingredients are derived from a natural sources rather than being synthesized out of chemicals in a lab. But that doesn't necessarily mean that organic pesticides are safe or less toxic to fish, wildlife, beneficial insects or you.  Consider organic pesticides as a step in the right direction.   Photo by Giles San Martin
5. Plant A Tree & Save on Your Energy Bill - Planting a tree  in the right location can save you money on your energy bill.  Deciduous trees can shade your home in the summer and lower your cooling bill. You should plant a deciduous tree (one that loses it leaves in Winter) in a location that will shade the east facing side of your home from 7 to 11 AM and/or the west facing side of your home from 3 to 7 PM. Plant a tree that will reach a mature height of 25 feet about 10-20 feet from the east and west facing sides of your home.  If you live in a place that is particularly cold and windy, you can also plant trees to provide wind protection and save on your heating bill.  You want to plant evergreen trees and shrubs upwind of side of your home you're trying to protect. In addition to saving money on energy bills, planting a tree is positive action you can take to protect the environment this Earth Day.  Trees lower global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide gas in the environment. While all plants can offset global warming to some extent, trees suck up more CO2 because of their size. The best tree varieties to grow are those that do well in your region of the country and require the least amount of maintenance.     

Photo by Bruce Martin

Background on Earth Day

Earth Day was the brainchild of Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. Nelson witnessed a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 and the experience moved him to create a "teach in" on the environment. The first Earth Day event was held the following year on April 22, 1970. It united various groups that had been protesting against water and air pollution, toxic waste dumps, oil spills, loss of environment and animal extinctions.  Over 20 million Americans participated in the first Earth Day, meeting across the country in parks, streets and auditoriums to show support for the environment and advocate for change.  

If you are interested in learning more about Earth Day or attending an Earth Day event this year, check out the Earth Day Network web site.

Happy Earth Day to everyone from PlanterTomato

QR Codes Let's You Adopt A Tree

According to Springwise.com, the Department of Transportation in the District of Columbia is now allowing citizens to adopt a tree.  The program is called Canopy Keepers and uses a novel high-tech approach to sign up gardeners.  As the city plants new trees, it tags them with a QR code. Passersby scan the code with their smart phone and this takes them to a web site where they can sign up to adopt that particular tree.  Canopy Keepers receive a free watering bucket in return for their help watering the tree.

How to Choose The Right Tomato Stakes For Your Garden

In this posting, I cover the pros and cons of various tomato staking systems so you can choose what's best for you.

Wooden or Bamboo Stakes 

These are made of a single piece of bamboo or wood that the gardener drives into the ground with a mallet or sledge hammer.  They can be purchased in 6 to 8 foot lengths. Gardeners also have the option to make their own stakes from aluminum electrical conduit that can be cut to the appropriate height.  As the tomato vine grows, it is attached to the stake using nursery tape, clips or other binding materials.

• Pros -  Cheap (About $1 each for a 7 foot stake). Very easy to store at the end of season.
• Cons - Yields from tomato plants grown on stakes are lower; tomato plants produce numerous vines from that are each capable of producing flowers and fruit.  Stakes can only support one or two vines.  So tomatoes grown using stakes need to be constantly pruned of any additional vines that the plant produces.  With fewer vines, the plant will also produce fewer tomatoes.  In addition to the labor involved with pruning, gardeners need to be vigilant about securing the vine to the stake with nursery tape and clips.  In other words, there's lower labor upfront with cages, but you pay for it later on.

Metal Spiral Stakes

These are metal rods that have been twisted into a spiral.  The spiral allows the gardener to wrap the tomato vine around the stake as the plant grows, following the spiral pattern of the stake. While the "spiral" does provide additional support, these stakes still require nursery tape or other material to securely support the tomato vine as it grows.

• Pros - Similar to straight stakes, spiral stakes are relatively cheap ($5 each) and easy to store at end of season.
• Cons - Difficult to use a mallet to drive these stakes into the ground because of their spiral shape, so they must be pushed in by hand. Generally, only available in short lengths so they are only good for determinate tomato varieties. Require use of nursery tape to hold vines to stake. Some spiral stakes are coated in plastic to prevent the metal from rusting.  Over time the sun light can cause this plastic to crack and then the stake rusts.  This doesn't really effect their usefulness but they are less attractive when rusty.

Store Purchased Tomato Cages

These come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Some are cylindrical, some square and some cone shaped.  More expensive models can be folded. Cages of this type have wire tines at the bottom.  To set them up, you push the tines into the ground.

• Pros - Easy to set up. Can accommodate multiple vines from each tomato plant. Require less use of nursery tape or clips than stakes. Non-folding models are relatively inexpensive ($3-$10). Folding models are easy to store at the end of the season. 
• Cons - Wire tines can easily be damaged when pushed into the ground.  As a result, most cages are not very durable. Can be difficult to pick fruit on the inside of the cage.  Generally come in small sizes (3 feet tall) so they are only suitable for determinate tomato varieties. Non-folding models are more difficult to store at end of season. Folding models are more convenient but also very expensive (+$20 each). 

Do-It-Yourself Cages

These are cages you make using 6 inch wire mesh designed to reinforce concrete construction projects. You can buy the mesh in rolls or sometimes in panels from stores such as Home Depot or Lowes.  To create the cages, you roll the mesh into a cylinder and then hold the cage together using wire ties. Depending on the material you use, these cages can be either 5 or 7 feet in height.  You can build large cage that will last for years and they will cost only $10 each. (For more information about how to build these cages, see my posting How to Build Tomato Cages: Big, Sturdy & Cheap).  

• Pros - large enough to accommodate indeterminate tomato varieties. Relatively cheap compared to store purchased cages.  Much more durable than store purchased cages because of the mesh is made from stronger material. Can accommodate multiple vines from each tomato plant so yields are good.
• Cons - You need to buy, cut and assemble them.  Don't fold, so they are harder to store at end of season. Will rust (Doesn't impact usefulness but does impact appearance) Can be difficult to harvest fruit on the inside of the cage. Need to anchor cages with an additional metal stake to support the height of the cage.

Electrical Conduit Trellis

This is also a do it yourself project.  You build a long metal frame out of aluminum electrical conduit and then hang wire mesh panels from the conduit. You can make these by cutting either 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch conduit to the height that you want (remember to add 6 inches for the section that will get hammered into the ground).  Then cut a piece of the same material to the length that you want for your trellis. Place a 90 degree elbow fitting on the top of both ends of the conduit that is hammered into the ground.  Now attach the top bar by sliding each end into one of the elbow fittings and tighten the screws on those fittings. Once this is done, you can hang mesh panels from the horizontal section of conduit using zip strips, metal ties or string. In the photo below, you'll see that I constructed mine a little differently because I plan to cover this structure with plastic and use it as a greenhouse during the Winter. In my case, I built a hoop houses and then hung mesh panels from the central beam. Whatever design you choose, tomatoes are then attached to the mesh panels using nursery tape or plastic clips.

• Pros - Tall enough for indeterminate varieties. Panels can be removed at end of season and stored flat. Can accommodate multiple vines from each tomato plant. Easy to harvest tomatoes. Relatively inexpensive when compared to folding tomato cages.
• Cons - Most labor intensive of the options. Makes most sense for gardens that are growing lots of tomatoes in long rows. While mesh trellises can be moved, they are clearly less portable than cages or stakes.

  

Photo: Image of the elbow fitting and connection between a vertical and horizontal piece of conduit used to make a tomato trellis.

Photo: My tunnel house with panels hanging from the central beam.

Cherry Blossom Viewing & Tips for Growing Cherry Trees

Cherry Blossom Festivals In Japan

Cherry blossoms reach their peak in Tokyo and Kyoto this week.  The traditional Japanese practice of viewing flowers, or Hanami, dates back to the Nala period in Japan (approximately 700 AD) when the members of the imperial court would gather to view the flowers, write poetry and feast in the shade of trees in full bloom.  Pretty refined stuff.

"Under the Cherry Trees" by Kunisada 1852

In recent times, Hanami has taken on more of a party hearty character with plenty of sake and beer to aid in the enjoyment of the flowers.  Family and friends stake out places in Japan's parks and gardens hoping to get the best vantage points to enjoy the flowers and set up a picnic. Such gathering are similar in character to American celebrations like Memorial Day or Fourth of July but in Japan they are done on a communcal scale.

In 1991, my wife and I were students in Japan and visited Ueno Park in Tokyo during Hanami. As we walked through the park, a group of drunken students who we didn't know insisted that we join them in their hanami celebration (see below). I suppose, nothing livens up a Hanami party like foreigners that don't speak the language all that well and who don't really know why they've been invited.  It was a bit strange at the time but is now a fond memory of our time in Japan.

One quick cultural side note....Many readers probably know that it is standard Japanese practice to remove your shoes before entering a home or temple. However, this practice extends to many other venues.  In the photo above, you can see how people have placed tarps and cardboard on the floor to make a clean area to sit on during their Hanami celebration.  You'll also note that they have removed their shoes and placed them just outside them outside the seating area. Even tipsy, Japanese exhibit good manners.

Cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle, photo by Quasipalm

Hanami occurs in Japan from late March through early May depending on the year and region with the country.  If you plan to visit that country in the Spring, check out this link on the Japan-Guide.com web site that forecasts when the flowers will be in peak bloom each year in key cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Nala, and Sapporo.  

Tips on How to Grow Fruiting Cherry Trees

As far as I can tell, Japanese Hanami parties are conducted under ornamental cherry trees, but cherries that produce fruits also are quite showey when flowering.  My Sweetheart cherry tree was in peak bloom in late March and my Bing cherry went into bloom at the end of last week.

Tips on Growing Cherry Trees In Your Garden

If you would like to put a cherry tree in your garden, here are some tips to help you choose and grow them:

• Hardiness Zones - Cherries grow best in cooler climates. Tart cherry varieties do well in zones 4-6 while sweet cherries grow well in zones 5-7.  Gardeners in warmer climates will find cherries a challenge.  I live in zone 8 and have not had much success so far. I'm giving my trees another year or two.  If they don't produce well, I'll have to throw in the towel and switch them out for another type of fruit.
• Soil - Cherry trees need good drainage.  If you have heavy clay soil like I do, it's probably best to get a dwarf variety and plant it in a large container like a half wine barrel. (FYI, A mature dwarf cherry should produce about 10 quarts of cherries each year. While a full size tree can produce 40 quarts)
• Planting Season - Cherries should be planted in early Spring.  Bare root trees should be ordered in January and February.  You can also buy potted trees from your local nursery later in the season but the selection is likely to be much more limited.
• Cherry Varieties - Cherries come in sweet and tart varieties. The sweet varieties are eaten as fresh fruit while the tart are generally  used for making pies, preserves and juice.  Some common tart varieties include: Montmorency, North Star and English Morello.  Common sweet varieties include: Black Tartarian (dark cherry), Bing (dark cherry), Sweetheart (dark cherry), Stella (dark cherry), Gold (yellow cherry), Ranier (yellow cherry), and Sweet Ann (white cherry). 
• Self-Fertile and Cherries that Require Pollinators - Most sweet cherry varieties require a second cherry tree be planted nearby in order to ensure pollination of the blossoms. Sometimes this tree can be of the same variety, but frequently, cherries that require pollination need to be crossed with a cherry tree of a different variety.  If you are only going to have one of two trees in your garden, it's best to grow varieties that are self pollinated (see list below).  If you have room for a cherry orchard, then you can choose pretty much any veriety you like as long as you pair it with an appropriate pollinator.  You can find a partial list of such pairings at the RainTree Nursery web site. It's also easy to find other pairings by doing a Google search on the name of the variety that interests you plus "pollinator."
• Self-Fertile Cherry Trees: Stella, Lapins, North Star, Sweetheart, and Van are all self fertile sweet cherry varieties. Tart cherry are all self fertile.

You can buy bare root cherry trees from Raintree, Trees of Antiquity and other suppliers.

Happy hanami to all. 乾杯 (Cheers)!

Chef Fabio's Brunch Egg Recipe & Fresh Egg Test

With Easter and Passover just around the corner, eggs are on everyone's mind.  In the below video, chef Fabio shows how to tell if eggs are fresh and then gives his recipe for "Pissed Off Eggs."  You can check out the video to see the test and the recipe.

If you keep chickens at home, the "test" for freshness is pretty irrelevant.  I know my eggs are fresh!  The recipe name is silly and probably just to draw attention.  That said, it looks interesting and worth a try for those who have chickens or just love eggs for brunch.  The recipe includes a generous amount of jalapeno peppers, so it's probably not one the kids will love.

Anyway, happy Passover and Easter to all.

NY Times Reports Chicken Keeping on the Rise

The Dining & Wine section of yesterday's New York Times featured an article on the trend towards keeping chickens in backyard gardens.  If you are interested you can read the article at Straight From the Home Coop.

Eggs to Be Sold In Packages - May 1929

Its now so common to see eggs sold in cardboard cartons that its easy to assume that they were always sold that way.  Below is an article written in May 1929 that shows what I assume to be one of the earliest attempts to sell eggs to consumers in packages.  Note that the cartons are not the ones we are familiar with today. Rather, they are wrappers designed to protect individual eggs that are then placed in boxes that look like wine boxes.

I don't know if these cartons ever really made it to market.  Just a few months after the article was written, the stock market crashed and the U.S. was thrown into the Great Depression.  That might have put a bit of a damper on things. If anyone knows about these cartons, please post  a comment.

Thanks to Modern Mechanix for posting the article.

EGGS TO BE SOLD BY THE PACKAGE

INSTEAD of asking for a dozen eggs, housewives will buy them by the package just like breakfast food if the new method of packing shown above becomes popular. Eggs are individually packed in corrugated cardboard jackets and shipped in cartons which keep their contents practically unbreakable.

 

Scientists Report Breakthrough In Human Genetic Engineering

According to a report today in the journal Axiom, researches at the University of Warburg have reported a major breakthrough in genetic engineering of farmers and farm workers.  A five member team led by Dr. Fritz Gottlieb have successfully modified human genes by implanting them with genes taken from Agrobacterium Sp. CP4. This gene conveys resistance to the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup).

"This is the most important discovery of the last ten years," said Dr. Gottlieb, "factory farms will now be able to spray fields with Roundup without requiring that workers wear protective clothing or leave the fields during sparying."  According to the study, humans modified with the gene can now be drenched with glyphosate without incurring noticeable side effects. This is seen as a major step forward in farm productivity because weeds can be eliminated without the suspension of other farm activities. 

Trials on farms where the humans have been so modified have shown a 15% increase in corn production. Detailed test results are not expected to be released due to confidentiality agreements barring Dr. Gottlieb's team from sharing information with the broader scientific community.

While its too early to come to any conclusions, there appear to be other beneficial effects of genetic engineering of humans.  "Roundup Ready" people are also showing promising signs of resistance to European corn borers, cutworms and flea beetles.  

Reported April 1st 2012.