Costco offers the Lifetime 60072 Dual Compost Tumbler, Black for $150 (as of 2013) (two 50-gallon drums). The price is $250 on Amazon. This price is for store purchase. The single composter is $150 at Costco online (one 80-gallon drum): http://www.costco.com/composters.html
Instructions (PDF):
http://www.lifetime.com/AssemblyInstructions/60072-1152.pdf
7-part assembly videos:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKkTQU-5nLU
Batch composting is the fastest and most efficient way to produce high quality compost, and this two-bin tumbler from Gardeners.com makes it easy. Fill one side with kitchen scraps and yard waste, then stop adding materials and let it "cook," turning it every few days to speed up the decomposition process. In the meantime, add new scraps to the other side. When the first batch of compost is finished, remove it and repeat the process, letting the other side cook. This dual composter is similar to but not the same as the one from Lifetime/Coscto described above.
The proportion of green material to brown is more crucial in a closed tumbler than in an open pile. If you don't add at least 40 percent browns, you'll end up with a slimy, smelly mess instead of compost. If nothing else is available, keep a bag of leaves or a bale of straw handy and use it as necessary to maintain the balance. Source: Compost Tumblers - Mother Earth News, 2003 http://bit.ly/18I5gJE
Dual-Batch Compost Tumbler | Buy from Gardener's Supply http://bit.ly/WPPP2y
You can turn common household waste into nutrient rich food for your vegetable and flower gardens in just 4-8 weeks. See this Home Depot video:
References:
Compost for Vegetable Garden Planting Beds » Harvest to Table http://bit.ly/Zz3nx3
Making A Tumbling Composter Work For You | Planet Natural http://bit.ly/176Qv5p
Composter Connection - How to Compost | Planet Natural http://buff.ly/1sG4qHI
Related:
Start To Grow: DIY Easy Compost Bin http://buff.ly/1qfxnyQ
Composting for Serious Gardeners http://buff.ly/1SMDCqI - 2016 guide
How to grow peppers anywhere, even in the coldest states of the US
Growing Hot Peppers in colder areas made easy by Pepper Joe. Great news for New England, the Pacific Northwest and the Heartland and upper Michigan....even Alaska. Here's the tips to get red ripe Chiles all summer long.
Container gardening is becoming wildly popular. And no wonder with it's many advantages. Pepper Joe walks you through growing Hot Peppers in containers. A recent survey on their Facebook page shows that 60% of our gardeners grow in containers either exclusively or to supplement their traditional garden or raised bed garden.
Container gardening is becoming wildly popular. And no wonder with it's many advantages. Pepper Joe walks you through growing Hot Peppers in containers. A recent survey on their Facebook page shows that 60% of our gardeners grow in containers either exclusively or to supplement their traditional garden or raised bed garden.
Seed Starting - Burpee videos
Seed Starting Video 1 - How to Start Vegetable Seeds at Burpee.com http://bit.ly/11JSHQP Seed Starting Part 2
Seed Starting Part 3
Red Russian/Siberian Kale: Sweeter than traditional varieties
This rare kale variety has red-purple veins on slate-green, wavy-margined leaves. Cool weather intensifies its color.
The grey-green leaves turn purple in cold weather. This delicious grey-green kale is pretty enough to plant among the flowers. It is much larger than regular kale (2 to 3' tall), the stems are purplish and the leaves are shaped like big oak leaves and colored a velvety gray green. The purple colors become richer after frost, when the flavor becomes sweeter. Surprisingly, the big leaves are very tender and delicious. Plants may be left outdoors all winter. Frost improves flavor
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Biennial
Days to Maturity: 50-65 (Spring/Summer), 70-85 (Fall/Winter)
Hardiness: Hardy
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm
Outdoor Growing Temp: 0°F - 80°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 45°F
Tolerates light frost and hard frost
Needs summer shade
Hardiness Zone" 3-11
How many Kale plants to plant in an EarthBox-type SIP?
Kale can get pretty large and one approach is to plant 3-4 per side (6-8 total with fertilizers down the middle). Chard can be planted 5 per side (10 total).
Does it grow indoors?
Yes, kale can be grown indoors under grow lights.
A Tougher Breed of Kale that's more suited to the Florida climate: Highland Kale (aka Ethiopian Kale or Ethiopian Blue Mustard), Brassica carinata. Florida Survival Gardening: http://buff.ly/1xk1HIn
References:
Kale: Red Russian Overview - Plant Guide http://bit.ly/Vcu6i8
Red Russian Kale at Burpee.com http://bit.ly/14PaeUF
http://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-kale/
http://www.harvesttotable.com/2008/04/russian_red_kalerussian_red_ka/
http://rareseeds.com/russian-red-or-ragged-jack.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4mKPAyOlIk
http://www.mysquarefootgarden.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/kale.pdf
http://blog.growthisnthat.co.uk/everything-need-know-growing-kale/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-red-russian-kale-container-22324.html
http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/kale/
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-03-21/lifestyle/35449730_1_lacinato-kale-varieties
http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2013/02/video-wednesday-growing-kale-indoors.html
Growing Cool Weather Kale | Veggie Gardener http://bit.ly/WPQ1Pf
Kale, Kale, and More Kale - The Greening of Gavin http://bit.ly/1oYlUna
The grey-green leaves turn purple in cold weather. This delicious grey-green kale is pretty enough to plant among the flowers. It is much larger than regular kale (2 to 3' tall), the stems are purplish and the leaves are shaped like big oak leaves and colored a velvety gray green. The purple colors become richer after frost, when the flavor becomes sweeter. Surprisingly, the big leaves are very tender and delicious. Plants may be left outdoors all winter. Frost improves flavor
Ease of Growing: Easy
Grown as: Biennial
Days to Maturity: 50-65 (Spring/Summer), 70-85 (Fall/Winter)
Hardiness: Hardy
Growing Conditions: Cold, Cool, Warm
Outdoor Growing Temp: 0°F - 80°F
Min Outdoor Soil Temp: 45°F
Tolerates light frost and hard frost
Needs summer shade
Hardiness Zone" 3-11
How many Kale plants to plant in an EarthBox-type SIP?
Kale can get pretty large and one approach is to plant 3-4 per side (6-8 total with fertilizers down the middle). Chard can be planted 5 per side (10 total).
Does it grow indoors?
Yes, kale can be grown indoors under grow lights.
A Tougher Breed of Kale that's more suited to the Florida climate: Highland Kale (aka Ethiopian Kale or Ethiopian Blue Mustard), Brassica carinata. Florida Survival Gardening: http://buff.ly/1xk1HIn
References:
Kale: Red Russian Overview - Plant Guide http://bit.ly/Vcu6i8
Red Russian Kale at Burpee.com http://bit.ly/14PaeUF
http://bonnieplants.com/growing/growing-kale/
http://www.harvesttotable.com/2008/04/russian_red_kalerussian_red_ka/
http://rareseeds.com/russian-red-or-ragged-jack.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4mKPAyOlIk
http://www.mysquarefootgarden.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/kale.pdf
http://blog.growthisnthat.co.uk/everything-need-know-growing-kale/
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-red-russian-kale-container-22324.html
http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/kale/
http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-03-21/lifestyle/35449730_1_lacinato-kale-varieties
http://washingtongardener.blogspot.com/2013/02/video-wednesday-growing-kale-indoors.html
Growing Cool Weather Kale | Veggie Gardener http://bit.ly/WPQ1Pf
Kale, Kale, and More Kale - The Greening of Gavin http://bit.ly/1oYlUna
How To Start Seeds - The Home Depot video
How to start seeds at your home. Starting seeds can maximize your plantings while minimizing your costs.
Plants Container Gardening (video)
Bonnie Plants Container Gardening with P. Allen Smith. The plants fall in 3 groups, here is an example of all 3 with herbs:
- thriller - basil
- spiller - sage
- filler - parsley
- thriller - basil
- spiller - sage
- filler - parsley
Fertilizers: you plants need more than NPK
"NPK" stands for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium.
Nitrogen: encourages foliage growth.
greeN
Phosphorous: encourages root and flower growth.
2 letters - ph ("f") - flowers/roots
Potassium - Pest resistance
Do plants only need nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium?
No. Feeding plants artificial fertilizers that only contain N-P-K is like raising your kids on a diet of white bread and soda. They will grow, but they will not be healthy. They need more.
“Up, Down and All-Around” is another way to think about NPK and the numbering system for fertilizers. Your lawn needs nitrogen for the leaves’ color and growth, phosphorous for strong roots, and potassium for overall health. Source: Home Depot.
References:
My 7 Most Important Organic Soil Amendments | http://bit.ly/YjPIa4
Why The N-P-K Is D-U-M(b) | http://bit.ly/YjPPSO
Nitrogen: encourages foliage growth.
greeN
Phosphorous: encourages root and flower growth.
2 letters - ph ("f") - flowers/roots
Potassium - Pest resistance
Do plants only need nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium?
No. Feeding plants artificial fertilizers that only contain N-P-K is like raising your kids on a diet of white bread and soda. They will grow, but they will not be healthy. They need more.
“Up, Down and All-Around” is another way to think about NPK and the numbering system for fertilizers. Your lawn needs nitrogen for the leaves’ color and growth, phosphorous for strong roots, and potassium for overall health. Source: Home Depot.
References:
My 7 Most Important Organic Soil Amendments | http://bit.ly/YjPIa4
Why The N-P-K Is D-U-M(b) | http://bit.ly/YjPPSO
Red Siberian Tomato - one of the earliest, cold resistant tomatoes (50 days)
This is a Russian heirloom variety from Siberia. The original Russian name is not known. The plant is capable of setting fruit even at 38 degrees. This is one of the earliest varieties on the market, and it takes only 7 weeks to set fruit when transplanted outdoors. This is popular variety grown in Alaska.
I bought the seeds at Whole Foods for $1.89, 30 seeds packaged by Botanical Interests. Here is the info from the package and their website:
Tomato Pole Red Siberian HEIRLOOM Seeds, Lycopersicon lycopersicum, Item #0053
55 days from transplanting. Indeterminate.
Only an heirloom tomato that came from the climate of Siberia could tolerate the fickle and sometimes cool temperatures that exasperate gardeners in spring. Red Siberian withstands cool temperatures and still sets fruit when other tomatoes have stopped producing! Provide support for vines that reach 6 feet or more. This packet plants approximately 24 plants when started indoors.
Days to Emerge: 5-10 days
Seed Depth: 1/8”
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 24”
Row Spacing: 3’
Thinning: When 2” tall thin to 1 every 24”
When to sow outside: Recommended for mild winter climates only: 1 to 2 weeks before average last frost and when soil temperatures are at least 60° F.
When to start inside: RECOMMENDED. 6 to 8 weeks before average last frost.
How to transplant
Prevent the shock of transplanting your tomatoes. Set your potted tomatoes outdoors in a protected area for one week before transplanting them into the ground, or in an outdoor container. This way the plants will become acclimated to the temperature changes throughout the day and night. Make sure your tomato plants are watered thoroughly 12 to 13 hours before transplanting.
Use heat-transmitting mulches when tomato plants are transplanted to keep the roots warm. Other possible covers are plastic sheeting (around plants) or row covers. Plastic tomato tunnels work well, in coastal areas especially, to protect tomatoes from cool night air and any light frost. Tunnels or covers can be removed after the tomatoes have been transplanted approximately for weeks or when temperatures run in the 80s during the day.
When to harvest
Harvesting: Harvest tomatoes when fully colored and firm. About 1 month before the average first fall frost, clip all blossoms and any undersized fruit off the plant. This will steer all the plant’s remaining energy into ripening what’s left. If you have a lot of green tomatoes near the end of the season, and a frost is approaching, pick them and store them indoors in a single layer away from direct sunlight to ripen.
What to expect from the fruits
The fruits are 9-12 oz, consistently large and uniformly shaped, with a sweet flavor, meaty but also juicy. Fruit color is sometimes pink (not red) despite the name, Red Siberian Tomato.
The 'Siberian' produces clusters of small, bright red fruit about 3 to 5 ounces (85 to 142 g) each. Plants will set fruit even in low temperatures of 40° F (4° C). This is a good variety to grow while you are waiting for later varieties to mature. It is perfect for containers and smaller gardens.
References:
Tomato Pole Red Siberian HEIRLOOM Seeds | Botanical Interests. http://bit.ly/YjOlIt
Red Siberian - Tatiana's TOMATOBase http://bit.ly/YjOvPV
14 Tomato Plants To Try | Heirloom Grape Cherry http://bit.ly/YjOyvh
How to Grow Short Season Tomatoes | eHow.com http://bit.ly/YjOBqT
Red Siberian Tomato: Hanna’s Tomato Tastings 2011 http://bit.ly/YjP10i
I bought the seeds at Whole Foods for $1.89, 30 seeds packaged by Botanical Interests. Here is the info from the package and their website:
Tomato Pole Red Siberian HEIRLOOM Seeds, Lycopersicon lycopersicum, Item #0053
55 days from transplanting. Indeterminate.
Only an heirloom tomato that came from the climate of Siberia could tolerate the fickle and sometimes cool temperatures that exasperate gardeners in spring. Red Siberian withstands cool temperatures and still sets fruit when other tomatoes have stopped producing! Provide support for vines that reach 6 feet or more. This packet plants approximately 24 plants when started indoors.
Days to Emerge: 5-10 days
Seed Depth: 1/8”
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 24”
Row Spacing: 3’
Thinning: When 2” tall thin to 1 every 24”
When to sow outside: Recommended for mild winter climates only: 1 to 2 weeks before average last frost and when soil temperatures are at least 60° F.
When to start inside: RECOMMENDED. 6 to 8 weeks before average last frost.
How to transplant
Prevent the shock of transplanting your tomatoes. Set your potted tomatoes outdoors in a protected area for one week before transplanting them into the ground, or in an outdoor container. This way the plants will become acclimated to the temperature changes throughout the day and night. Make sure your tomato plants are watered thoroughly 12 to 13 hours before transplanting.
Use heat-transmitting mulches when tomato plants are transplanted to keep the roots warm. Other possible covers are plastic sheeting (around plants) or row covers. Plastic tomato tunnels work well, in coastal areas especially, to protect tomatoes from cool night air and any light frost. Tunnels or covers can be removed after the tomatoes have been transplanted approximately for weeks or when temperatures run in the 80s during the day.
When to harvest
Harvesting: Harvest tomatoes when fully colored and firm. About 1 month before the average first fall frost, clip all blossoms and any undersized fruit off the plant. This will steer all the plant’s remaining energy into ripening what’s left. If you have a lot of green tomatoes near the end of the season, and a frost is approaching, pick them and store them indoors in a single layer away from direct sunlight to ripen.
What to expect from the fruits
The fruits are 9-12 oz, consistently large and uniformly shaped, with a sweet flavor, meaty but also juicy. Fruit color is sometimes pink (not red) despite the name, Red Siberian Tomato.
The 'Siberian' produces clusters of small, bright red fruit about 3 to 5 ounces (85 to 142 g) each. Plants will set fruit even in low temperatures of 40° F (4° C). This is a good variety to grow while you are waiting for later varieties to mature. It is perfect for containers and smaller gardens.
References:
Tomato Pole Red Siberian HEIRLOOM Seeds | Botanical Interests. http://bit.ly/YjOlIt
Red Siberian - Tatiana's TOMATOBase http://bit.ly/YjOvPV
14 Tomato Plants To Try | Heirloom Grape Cherry http://bit.ly/YjOyvh
How to Grow Short Season Tomatoes | eHow.com http://bit.ly/YjOBqT
Red Siberian Tomato: Hanna’s Tomato Tastings 2011 http://bit.ly/YjP10i
Composting for your Garden - University of Maryland video
This video is brought to you by the Home and Garden Information Center, part of University of Maryland Extension. provides resources and encourages people to start their own food gardens.
http://www.growit.umd.edu/
Mrs Wranglerstar will show you how to make compost:
From Amazon:
Related:
Start To Grow: DIY Easy Compost Bin http://buff.ly/1qfxnyQ
http://www.growit.umd.edu/
Mrs Wranglerstar will show you how to make compost:
From Amazon:
Related:
Start To Grow: DIY Easy Compost Bin http://buff.ly/1qfxnyQ
Triple "L" Concept: Lettuce Lights Living room
3 vegetable growing systems based on living arrangement (click on the link for a larger image).
The triple "L" Concept is summarized by the expression "Lettuce Lights Living room". It means that a lamp in any room could be replaced by a desk lamp with a CFL daylight bulb (75W or 100W equivalent). The lamp illuminates an edible plant in:
- a Kratky Hydroponic container
- a sub-irrigated planter (SIP)
You can start the triple "L" concept ("Lettuce Lights Living room") using products from Amazon.
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