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Watervalley Ms

Hey Chris, I see in your growers dairy that you have boards up at the end of your plants and the side. Do you believe that this helps your roots to turn back into the good soil that was fertilized well? And also helps with watering you know were the roots are at? Thanks, Jerry

6/14/2011 9:53:05 PM

sevierville, Tn

i grow in raised beds, so is that the boards you mean ?? The ones that make the bed ? They keep the plant in & the yard out.

6/14/2011 10:44:21 PM

Watervalley Ms

YES Chris that is the boards i am talking about.i think that is a good thing unless you have fertilizer in a 20 foot circle or more the plants roots will go in to places that are not prepared. they keep the roots in good soil the plant in ,yard out sounds good. Thanks Jerry

6/14/2011 11:45:48 PM

Muddy Waters

Do you put a liner in the bottom?,dont the roots grown down & out.I would hope so,or you would shrink your root zone,Raised beds are for warmer temps(soil)& possible deeper soil mass.I may try a couple on my giant Toms.There saying 2 feet deep

6/15/2011 6:35:36 AM

formerly RGG

The idea of raised beds isn't to keep the roots from getting out. The purpose is to give them excellent fertile and well drained soil within the bed that has been prepared for them.A liner would defeat some of the excellent drainage inherent to a raised bed. A liner would probably work well if you wanted to grow rice or some other crop that likes "wet feet".

6/15/2011 7:00:31 AM

Watervalley Ms

i was mostly thinking about the roots that are 2 in. deep they will run into the board and turn back in. If you were in a field say the plant row was 12x 20, on the sides of the stump that would be 6 ft.both ways. The roots will get into the soil that you have been walking on and not well prepared. i think the boards will help in this area. what do you think?

6/15/2011 7:50:39 AM

Muddy Waters

I think the roots will hit the board,grow down & under board & out to lawn surface,you will still be walking on them,but if hard ground,shouldnt hurt them,if soft I would put plank down,they will most likely grown back in also,depending on soil conditions there going to take the path of least risistance.

6/15/2011 10:26:21 AM

formerly RGG

I think roots will attempt to seek out the best growing conditions they can find. That is one reason some growers water some distance from the stump. The theory is the roots will seek the moisture and do a better job of growing outwards. I feel there is very little to worry about here. Roots will seek out what is best for them and not grow much into drier,more compacted and under prepared areas such as a grassy yard area next to the patch. They just cannot find much there they can use to aid plant growth.

6/15/2011 10:33:49 AM

sevierville, Tn

I think your over analysising my boards. My garden isn't flat, so to keep the soil in place & have more of it, i started using raised beds. Better drainage too for those summer storms. Helps to keep the plants where i want them, 7 the grass/weeds out. I figued the roots will go where they want to, didn't figue into the planning.

6/15/2011 2:35:36 PM

sevierville, Tn

Also, its probally alot more work with the beds. Would be alot easier to just plow the whole area up, rather then work with all these small beds. Remember i started 6 years ago with 2 10' X 10' beds. probally have 5000 sq ft now in 8 beds, plus alot of grass & walk ways.

6/15/2011 2:43:06 PM

Muddy Waters

Come on Chris,We have to show what Rocket Science we can apply to our hobby!Like Curly said"Ive got brains I havent even used yet" Nuck Nuck!!

6/16/2011 6:44:22 AM

sevierville, Tn

Mark, I'd hate to see the posts if i posted pictures of the the really good stuff that i'm doing ! LOL ..Janet said there was someone at the driveway with a telephoto lens taking pictures. i asked her why she didn't go see who, she said it was in the middle of the storm we had. probally the DEA ! LOL

6/16/2011 2:25:29 PM

Corryton, TN

Did she say what color the truck waaa, I mean the vehicle was?

6/16/2011 3:19:21 PM

formerly RGG

LOL Dave.

6/16/2011 6:12:35 PM

Watervalley Ms

Thanks for the help. Jerry

6/16/2011 7:11:17 PM

Muddy Waters

Weve got people watching yo Chris!We Know Everything!!lol

6/16/2011 8:50:54 PM

Bowdon, GA

There taking to the ground, last year it was helicopters

6/16/2011 11:10:34 PM

Muddy Waters

We have satelites I know when that beagle Farts!!lol

6/17/2011 6:31:46 AM

Muddy Waters

That was the D.E.A.They saw the heat from your gas grill & thought you were growing pot!!lol

6/17/2011 6:35:12 AM

formerly RGG

Hey Kents, watch out for tunnels. I think the DEA learned a lot about constructing them from dealing with Mexican drug smugglers, and may be using them themselves. lol

6/17/2011 7:45:03 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

Certainly the DEA knows the difference...Chris's bamboo garden is not anything that anyone would want to smuggle!!! Peace, Wayne

6/19/2011 12:21:45 AM

formerly RGG

Maybe they are checking to see if he has any illegal panda bears feeding on all that bamboo. lol

6/19/2011 7:02:23 AM

Owensboro, Ky.

I'm inclined to believe they are lookin for his melon/mater grafts!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

6/21/2011 1:33:15 AM