Mouthful of White Grubs

Click on the Picture for a close up...it's worth it!

Sometimes when I am out digging I come across tons of these white grubs. I usually put them somewhere that birds can get at them and then watch the party. I may even have a movie of this somewhere. I guess I unthinkingly assumed that they were bad for the garden. Just now I started wondering if maybe they turned into some beneficial insect, so I looked em up. Turns out they are bad - they eat roots of corn, potatoes, strawberries and other plants, so I will continue with my program.

Here is some more info: http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG271/corn_sorghum/white_grubs.html 

Beer Bottle Raised Beds

From:
http://urbanfoodproduction.tumblr.com/post/2395098664/using-rolling-rock-beer-bottles-to-make-a-raised

Woah! Idea of the year. Raised bed built from beer bottles. Nice one, mate! So...I must admit that this is, in no way, a new idea. In the recent past, I have stumbled past the embodiment of this idea in one of my favorite Seattle neighborhoods and thought, "oh my...that's a bit odd." But then I saw this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/14903992@N08/3457062590/ and after a bit, I have started thinking it might be worth a try. Here's to beer bottles in the garden! Oh...I should add...I will be using 22's. They have greater length and stability. Also, they are delicious.

This is interesting as well: http://www.digginfood.com/2008/11/innovative-raised-beds/

PVC Pipe or Blow Gun?

IMG_1819, a photo by okfuskee on Flickr.

Hmmmm...very tempting. This could change the nature of my relationship with the local squirrel gang.

Polytube or Cloche test case

IMG_1814, a photo by okfuskee on Flickr.

So pvc is very flexible apparantly. I guess I need two more poles of this 3/4" pvc pipe and I will have a decent place to grow lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, etc in the winter. ONly problem...this spot doesn't get much sun in the winter.

The Madness Begins

IMG_1816, a photo by okfuskee on Flickr.

So here's my first PVC structure. The base is clamped to the bed. I will need some adhesive for some of the top pipes; one came loose while I was testing it's sturdiness. What's the purpose you ask? Well...I am thinking that at some point netting will be added to stop squirrels from eating too many tomatoes. I know they can never be totally stopped, but a few years ago I made a much more primitive structure and it actually cut way down on rodent depredations. And then in the fall, some clear plastic can be added to extends the growing season....if the thing lasts that long.

Mostly, it is 3/4" pvc pipe. The longwise top pipes are 1/2". Might be a mistake as they are a smidge wibley. I am picturing some daring squirrels having some fun with those. The only reason that happened was because the three way connectors I used for the corners were 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/2. I probably shoud have made the short upper pieces the 1/2" pipe. Oh well...next time.

Detail of 3/4" pvc pipe clamped to raised bed