Between 265 & 485 SQ/FT Mikes Man Cave

[lakelandcat]

Started my Brussell sprouts and Broccoli. I have dozen of each started. I'm going to start a couple of different ways, the buckets will be in sunlight and hydroponic grow. I want to see if it will shorten the grow. I plan to plant some in a raised bed and others in pots. The racks will be a ebb and flow system for herbs, I plan to run gutter down each shelf, emptying into the next one below. Thats how I plan to water and feed which will be fed by a aquarium pump. Each will be in their own 2"or 3" net cup. 8', 4 shelves I should get some decent yield. I have Basil, Cilantro, Chives, Parsley, and Oregano, I am going to grow tomatoes in the greenhouse when I can get cracking on it. Okra, Lettuce, Radish, Carrot, Green beans, Green Peppers, Yellow Bell Peppers and I need to find some light your *** on fire peppers, will all go in raised beds and I have Gourd seeds I plan on letting them grow up a arch trellis. Gotta get some black eyed peas, scallions, Sweet onion, Potato, Sweet Potato. and prob. add fall veg. later.

 

[Henricogolfer]

Nice looking set up, what are roundish looking things in the grow pots?


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[captain14]

Good luck on the plants this year. My mouth started to water.

I stick to tomatoes and either zucchini or yellow squash myself. Never had any luck with peppers. They always got to be the size of a nickel. May try some green beans again this year.

 

[lakelandcat]

Nice looking set up, what are roundish looking things in the grow pots?


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Thats a lid with a 6" net cup, its like a mesh basket built into the lid. I started my Brussel sprouts from seed and this it week 3. I transplanted into the net cup and filled with clay pellets. Added water 1" below the bottom of the cup and the roots will find the water. I still have to add a air stone in each bucket because airiation is what makes it work. Buckets are painted black to keep down algae. I also glued in a barbed 1/2" 90 and ran some clear 1/2" tube so when the water level drops you can see it in the tube, thats how I know when to add water/food. I have to add nutrients because there is no way to get food through soil. Pellets are clay about 3/8" +/- and can be reused. Lids cost +/-$2, pellets were $15, buckets $3. All together less than $7 for the set up. Fresh Veggies, priceless. Mike

 

[lakelandcat]

Good luck on the plants this year. My mouth started to water.

I stick to tomatoes and either zucchini or yellow squash myself. Never had any luck with peppers. They always got to be the size of a nickel. May try some green beans again this year.

I gotta get my greenhouse built before I can do tomatoes. last time I grew, my plants were beautiful, came out one morning and had been attacked by cut worms. I was amazed how fast they can eat a plant. Root and vine plants going in 2' raised beds, getting tired of bending over. With all the **** they are dusting crops with you never know whats in'em. Mike

 

[lakelandcat]

Found enough downspout and gutter in the scrap pile to make the herb rack, its coming together. Mike

 

[Henricogolfer]

Thanks for the information, looks really interesting.


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[lakelandcat]

Thanks for the information, looks really interesting.


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Glad I can help, if ya got any questions just holler. Mike

 

[lakelandcat]

SCORE I was on my way to do some chores and go to Lowes to pick up some supplies for the hydroponic setup and one of my neighbors was upgrading his windows and put 12 double pain wooden windows on the street, none were broke and I can take one piece of glass and make a frame. So total of 24 windows for the greenhouse. Cost $0, I'll bet there is $1000 worth of windows. The greenhouse just jumped up a level. On a more serious note Mrs. Cat had thyroid surgery yesterday, they had to remove it and a tumor that was about the size of a tennis ball. She's doing fine. She's tough and a fighter, we are positive she will be just fine. Hell she scares me, I know the cancer doesn't have a chance. Mike

 

[Henricogolfer]

Best of luck to your wife and nice score on the windows!


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[Bob Heine]

Mike, you already know this but just a reminder. If your wife needs you to sit by her side and hold her hand, that's your new job one. If your wife would really love to have that greenhouse, that's your new job one. If your wife would prefer to be left alone and stop your fussing, congratulations, our wives are related.

 

[lakelandcat]

Mike, you already know this but just a reminder. If your wife needs you to sit by her side and hold her hand, that's your new job one. If your wife would really love to have that greenhouse, that's your new job one. If your wife would prefer to be left alone and stop your fussing, congratulations, our wives are related.

Thanks Bob, I kid a lot about my wife, she is a very sweet person and Im blessed to be able to love her. Sometimes she keeps things from me so I won't worry, but she knows I always have her back and she has mine. With as crazy as this old world has got, if the only job I had was building the greenhouse I would be happy. Its the little victories like the windows that make it fun and not a job. In reality Mrs. Cat and I are coming up on our 25th anniversary in July and the whole time we have been together we have never had a fight (disagreements sometimes, but thats because Im usually wrong and smart enough to realize it) I do know the three magic words, "your right baby". She is improving every day and I am so thankful for that. As far as fussing goes if I didn't fuss she'd think I had a girlfriend. Mike

 

[Bob Heine]

Mike, to be safe, don't join a gym.

 

[lakelandcat]

Mike, to be safe, don't join a gym.

Was tested + for the covid 12/30, still don't have my stamina back. Found out from others this stuff sticks with you if you get the "sever", same symptoms but they last a month. They say what don't kill ya makes ya stronger. ahhh I feel like I should be supermen after this. Deb had it at the same time and hers only lasted 2 wks. Just finished Income tax had to pay last year for the first time, this year looks like we're getting back a little over $1100. I see a greenhouse in the future. Mike

 

[lakelandcat]

UPDATE ON WINDOWS - If you ever have a bright idea like me and think you are going to separate a double pane window forget it, its not worth the trouble. One busted glass but no flag no foul. Looks like the greenhouse is going to get double pain.

 

[lakelandcat]

Brussell sprouts and Broccoli are going nuts, Romane tomatoes, Bazel, Organo, Chives, are going along nice. Trying to emanate Beefstake, large Cherry tomatoes, Red, Green, and Yellow Bell peppers, Jalapino, Okra. We had a unusual cold spell last night it got down into the 40s. I had to put everything in the Man Cave and put it under the grow lights. I think everyone will survive. Mike

 

[lakelandcat]

One of my neighbors sold his house last month, was on the market 2-3 days bought low sold high. Long story short, the flip crew came in and did a punch list on what needed to be fixed, one thing was a cedar gate. They tore it down and replaced a section that was about 12'. Problem was the post was rotten. They put the old gate and fence sections on the street. SCORE free wood. Mrs Cat got excited until I told her it was fence pickets. Thats one raised bed that will match my fence. Mike

 

[captain14]

At the price any wood is now, that’s a great deal you got today.


My tomatoes and zucchini plants are coming along. Had to add extra water to one yesterday and it bounced back. Not sure if the second one is going to survive. We had 1 1/2” rain between Friday night and early Sunday morning.

 

[lakelandcat]

At the price any wood is now, that’s a great deal you got today.


My tomatoes and zucchini plants are coming along. Had to add extra water to one yesterday and it bounced back. Not sure if the second one is going to survive. We had 1 1/2” rain between Friday night and early Sunday morning.

Finding this fence is like finding Barn Wood. Gonna build tomorrow, I'll post pictures.

 

[lakelandcat]

 

[lakelandcat]

First pic loaded the truck, like Christmas. 2nd pic, after about 3 hrs. of taking out all the screws, I tried to look on the bright side, 90% of the pickets came off clean and I got a box full of screws. 3rd pic I was tinkering with sizes and patina. Ended up with a H2'x W2'x L6'. Last pic. You can't buy patina like that, some of the new wood was the scrap the crew left. I sandwiched the pickets between 2x4 and used 4x4 for the corners. Now I will lay down some cardboard to stop weed growth and fill with all the scrap that would go to waste. This gives me something to compost and food for worms. This is going to be my bed for Brussell sprouts and Broccoli. Last step is to cap the top so I can sit comfortably. This thing is solid as a rock. Very happy with the way it turned out. Total cost so far $0, I used the old screws and had a couple of clips for the framer from a previous job. Only Neg.- Sunburn, dehydrated, weather kinda sucked, temp in the 80s and humidity in the 95% range. Drizzel on and off for two days. Now its time for a Bud and a rest. Mike

 

[lakelandcat]

13 Romaine tomatoes, 3 Jalapeno, 4 Bell pepper, 11 Basil, 3 Oregano, 2 chives 4 Broccoli, and 8 Brussel Sprouts. Still have Radish, Black eye peas, Snap beans, Cherry Tomatoes, Beefsteak Tomatoes, Roman Lettuce, Carrots and Goards. Hence the raised beds and greenhouse. Mike

 

[captain14]

Everything looks good. How long is your growing season in your area? My tomatoes and zucchini are doing well. Several blossoms on the zucchini so maybe 3 weeks for the first harvest for me?

 

[lakelandcat]

I'm in Memphis, our growing season depends on a lot, some years it gets so hot you could fry eggs on the blacktop, some years we get record rain. We have tornados and have to reason with the hurricane season. Normally I can grow well into Oct. Snow is usually not a factor. My hydro system is in the man cave so I can grow all year round. I can start seedlings and clones in Jan./early Feb. I hope the greenhouse will protect somewhat. Going to have a big garden this year but its going to take a year or two to mature. Thats the reason for all the raised beds, our frost line is real shallow. I can cover the raised beds if need be. Herbs are kinda tricky but I can bring them inside. I did some partying in College park when I was in the AF back in 76, don't remember much Capt. Stay in touch. Mike

 

[lakelandcat]

Finished the raised bed today 6/9/21. Put cardboard in the bottom to help stop weeds, put some decaying logs for future plant food, 10cf of top soil 5cf of compost and 5cf of compost and manure. and one big *** worm. Planted half with broccoli and Brussels sprouts. We are looking for rain tomorrow. Right on time. Mike

 

[captain14]

It’s raining now at my house and expecting to rain most of the day tomorrow. My garden loves the rainfall. Guess this means I will have to cut the grass after the weekend.

 

[lakelandcat]

We have had real strange weather this last week, Weather man tells us 50%+ chance of rain and all we get is 99%- 100% humidity. 50 miles to the South in Mississippi they are having historic rainfall with floods. One night they got 12" of rain, 10 min to the south in Memphis 3", all I got was drizzle. Nothing is drying. Transplanted one of my Tomatoe plants into a 5gl. Hydroponic bucket that has a 6" net cup lid and a air stone, just to see what would happen. Plant went into shock but 30 min later it looked like nothing was wrong and the leaves have a real nice dark green color. I got enough wood from the fence to make another raised bed, this one will go along the fence between the posts with room to put up a wire trellis. 8'Lx2'6"Wx16"H. I'm going to use it for Green beans, Blackened peas, Okra,(fresh blackeye peas and boiled okra is heaven on earth, it's a southern thing) and whatever else pulls my trigger. Not a bad wood find, enough to do 2 raised beds. I'll post pics when I get it put togather along with pics of the Tomatoe plant.

 

[captain14]

Here’s a couple of shots of my garden from last night and as they arrived home from the local garden center the first week of May.

 

[dykstra]

Very cool setup.

 

[lakelandcat]

These are two different Tomatoe plants but they bounced back the same, the first was. what a plant looks like just after I transplant Into a 5gl. bucket with a aquarium air stone and the second is what it looks like the next day. I also got my second raised bed finished and was going to attach it to the fence and realized I could use the fence as one side, so my 8' bed is now a 16' bed. I took pics but the humidity is so bad it looks like fog. I will wait for a sunny day. Gotta get back to building the greenhouse so I can start my cherry and beefsteak tomatoes. If I put them outside the cutworms will destroy them in a day.

 

[lakelandcat]

Gonna work on the lights today. Soldering wires to LED strips Blue, Red, White. Blue is for root growth, red is for flowers and white is for everything else. Now I have strips wired together, I am going to separate the different colors and wire each to the power supply. I am also moving 2 (4/4' LED T-8 bulb fixtures) from the ceiling to the rack so I can adjust the height. Now I have 2 fixtures in the ceiling and one on the rack, this will give me 3 fixtures I can adjust to a proper 18" from my plants. Lost power last night for 2 hours, system came through with flying colors. Went to Wallyworld and got some rechargeable 12v, 1A fans $8.88 each, I was shocked they work well. charge lasts 7.5 hr. on low speed. Good thing I have a window AC in the Man Cave or it would be a oven. Mike

 

[lakelandcat]

6/13, 2:00PM 92F HeatIndex 103F Humidity 57% Strong storm just south moving south. Love my little rechargeable fan.

 

[lakelandcat]

Cleaned AC compressor coils 6/17/2021. Just referance, Made a 10 degree diff.

 

[lakelandcat]

Started some Bell Peppers, Red, Green, Yellow and Orange. Jalapeño came up quick as did the green bells. they already have their 3rd set of leaves. Two Red Bells and a Yellow Bell just sprouted! Been 3+ weeks, at this rate I might have Red and Yellow Bells next year. Getting ready to plant Beefsteak and cherry tomatoes this afternoon. Have to check on and see why the Okra never sprouted. I took my Basil out of my grow room and put it on the Catio, it was touch and go for a while but now the Basil and Oregano is going nuts. Gave the raised bed a good soaking and now my Broccoli and Brussel Sprouts are bouncing back. Grow room Brussel Sprouts and Broccoli are doing great. Found a cut worm eating one of my Brussel spout leaves this morning, he died a quick and painless death.

 

[lakelandcat]

ARGGGG, does anyone have a kill for little green worms that love Broccoli? There real small bout 1/2" and they travel in packs. I thought about 7 dust but really would like something natural. These little devils have a ferocious appetite.

 

[lakelandcat]

Ok found out they are Cabbage worms, gotta take a trip to the store and get some insecticide soap.

 

[lakelandcat]

Transplanted a Bell pepper, green into the hydro system 2 days ago I have so many if it goes south I'm not hurt. I have been chasing leaks for weeks, but I think I finally got them all, System has been running for a couple of hours now, so far so good. Cabbage worms have tore up my outdoor raised bed Broccoli and Bussell sprouts. Sprayed some dish soap and water and it seems to have slowed them down. Got to keep a eye on my Roma tomatoes, they look strong now but if worms get to them I know they will tear them up. Got my first bloom 2 days ago. Cat

 

[captain14]

Here are two of my zucchini’s that I picked on Friday. I usually get them by July 4th week. Tomatoes won’t be ready until the end of July/ beginning of August.

 

[lakelandcat]

Here are two of my zucchini’s that I picked on Friday. I usually get them by July 4th week. Tomatoes won’t be ready until the end of July/ beginning of August.

Looks good, I got a late start this year although it looks like I have a pumpkin flowering. checked the Hydro system and all is dry. Thats a big relief. Cat

 

[lakelandcat]

7/8 South side of my house doesn't have a water facet so the last 2 days I have been running PVC up the wall and around the sofit so I can water my raised bed. come winter all I will have to do to drain is take off the sprinkler head. I'll post some pics when I'm done. Transplanted a couple of Roma Tomato plants and some Green Bell Peppers. I also bought a fly trap, at Lowes. Works real good I couldn't tell you who made it, but I'll take pics of that also. Cat