The Growing Challenge: WHAT I HAVE LEARNED SO FAR

This year on Melinda’s growing challenge Seed to Seed I have had some successes and some failures. Here is what I have learned so far:
SEED STARTING:
Type of pots- I used toilet paper tubes, Tully’s compostable coffee cups, and started plants in the pots they will live in. I have had most success with the plants started in the pots they will live in.

Tumbler tomatoes and Window Box Roma's started from seed in the same container

Followed by the Tully’s cups. The toilet paper tubes work, but I have learned you may want to put them in a container of soil. Also none of these things work if your kitty cat gets up in them and destroys the seedlings.
CONTAINERS
I made self watering containers for the tomato plants. My basic container is two 5 gallon buckets.

A brandywine tomato in one of the SW Containers

I use a plastic pot, which I put a piece of t-shirt material around to act as a screen; with holes in it fitted in the bottom of one, and drill another hole in the same bucket . I then put a couple of rocks or bricks in the other bucket and set the first bucket in it. I drill two or three drain holes in that bucket, just below where the second bucket sits. I then put dirt or rather compost in the top bucket adding water – first filling the small planter then the rest of the bucket. I put some watering wicks in a couple of them- I just cut up old t-shirts and string them through the dirt from the planting pot while adding the compost- I have a simple set of videos explaining this here <> These are great videos put up by Gary from Tomatofest.com all he asks is you give a donation to feedthechildren.org if you use the design. I made one pretty much the same as his and I must say the tomatoes are growing great! These containers are great for a couple of reasons:
1- No waste of water
2- You don’t have to water everyday- cool if you go out of town for a weekend and have to depend on your useless s/o to water
3- Drought- we are having a strange and rare occurrence of no rain this month- works real well to have these SW Containers.
POTATO CONDO- The potato condo is working like gang busters- I got 3 levels. This is an idea I got from the shiba guys. Since they didn’t want to give out their secrets, I assumed it works this way: Start with a simple box structure- add compost and potatoes to the first level.

Then add a level and more dirt until you see sprouts, then add another level and more dirt. Sort of like using the old tire method. Without the chemicals from the tires leeching into the compost. Haven’t harvested the potatoes yet, but got lots of nice green plants with pretty blossoms on them. The other advantage to this is that when I do harvest, I just need to remove the boards and no heavy digging!
NEW THINGS: Some of the new things I am trying this year:
FENNEL- I am growing my fennel in a bucket- I have harvested some already- the fennel is doing well

ARTICHOKES: I planted 1 artichoke to try growing it. I love artichokes and have ever since I was a boy. Plant is doing well

Fennel (above)

Artichoke (below)

WATERMELON: I know. Everyone says you can’t grow watermelons this far north, Well why not? I say- they grow cantaloupe in Minnesota
CHINESE CABBAGE or Napa Cabbage- delicious, Had to rip out as it was starting to bolt. It grew very well. Will plant again.

This gardening thing, like most things is a constant learning experience. I am having a good time learning and trying new things every day.