Thursday, May 28, 2015

On The Roof!


At long last all of the plants are finally on the roof. The tomato plants went up mid May and the rest were held back until the overnights temps moved up into the 60's.

Surprisingly, this warm up did not happen until Memorial Day weekend, just a few days ago. I'm a firm believer in taking cues from the weather and not following a strict timetable so after a few weeks of impatient foot tapping I was rewarded with quality garden time getting my hands back in the dirt. This is a late planting schedule for sure, but the weather can't be helped.


Section 1 contains 2 vegetable planters and 1 flower pot.


Bush Goliath F1 tomato. This variety is a do-over from last year. Last year's plant struggled with heat and an insect infestation so I've decided to give it another shot in a more favorable spot on the roof.


Tigger melon


Section 2 includes 4 vegetable planters and 1 flower pot. The square container, the planter cut off on the left side of the above photo, contains several sprouted supermarket potatoes. It was an experiment that I think might be a failure as I have yet to see any foliage emerge from the soil. It's been 2 weeks with no signs of life. I'll give it a couple more weeks before I take any action. 

Orange Paruche F1 cherry tomato. This was the first ever cherry tomato plant I grew on this roof and it has remained my favorite after all these years. I'm growing it again to find out if this opinion still remains true or if I'm looking at the past with rose tinted glasses.


Sugar Cube F1 melon. The round planter to the right remains empty for now.


Section 3, the notorious heat island, has 2 vegetable planters and 1 flower pot. This year the chimney got the reed fence treatment. Not due to any climbing plant, but to act as a shade barrier. And not shade for the plants, shade for the tar covered, heat sponge of a chimney. I'm hoping the barrier will make this location a more hospitable place for growing plants, we shall see.


Giant Aconcagua pepper. 3rd generation rooftop seed!

Bride F1 eggplant. Note the aluminum foil beneath the plastic mulch. Not all containers will get this extra layer of protection, only the ones that have late afternoon sun exposure. Plastic mulch is used to help retain moisture. Foil is used is used to block the sun from the heating up the soil. While all containers will eventually get the plastic not everyone will get the foil. All plants in Section 3 get foil, no foil for section 4 and partial foil for certain plants in sections 1 and 2.


Section 4 has 2 vegetable planters and 1 flower pot.


Gatherer's Gold pepper. Now that I've got a preferred red pepper it's time to search for an open pollinated orange pepper to add to my library. I'm looking forward to seeing if this variety can thrive on the roof.


Beaverlodge tomato. 2nd generation rooftop seed!


The first Ozark Beauty strawberry of the season will soon be ready for eating!

2015 Planting Plan

Section 1:
18 Gallon Tote: 1, Bush Goliath F1 Tomato
18 Gallon Tote: 2, Tigger Melon
16" Round Pot: Flowers

Section 2:
18 Gallon Tote: 1, Orange Paruche F1 Cherry Tomato
18 Gallon Tote: 2, Sugar Cube F1 Melon
Southern Patio Growing Tower: empty for now
16" CB2 Square Container: 4, Mystery Potato
16" Round Pot: Flowers

Section 3:
18 Gallon Tote: 3, Giant Aconcagua Sweet Pepper [3rd Generation Rooftop Seed]
18 Gallon Tote: 1, Bride F1 Eggplant
16" Round Pot: Flowers

Section 4:
18 Gallon Tote: 3, Gatherer's Gold Sweet Pepper
18 Gallon Tote: 1, Beaverlodge Tomato [2nd Generation Rooftop Seed]
16" Round Pot: Flowers

Seating Area:
12" CB2 Square Container: Ozark Beauty Strawberry
12" CB2 Square Container: Ozark Beauty Strawberry
12" CB2 Square Container: Ozark Beauty Strawberry
12" CB2 Square Container: Ozark Beauty Strawberry


Rope: $8.92

2015 Running Cost Total: $259.68

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!