DGBAMA first grow

[workhorse_01]

I read other peoples grow's and get what I think will help me. We have the best group of people here I could ask for. I cant wait each day to get on here and read y'alls blogs.

Thanks for the input. I am open to anything, being first year grow EVERYONE has more experience than me. The Virginia is acting so much stronger than the other ones did that I don't think they need the extra step. My first 5 varieties went in cups because I just did not feel they were going to be strong enough coming out of the starting trays. This continues to be a learning experience for me.......and there is never enough time; life and family continue to get in the way of tobacco, but I would not have it any other way.

 

[DGBAMA]

A quick update on progress while I drink water, cool down, and recover some of the sweat I have lost before returning to the garden. Only 83 degrees with mixed clouds and sun but feels like 98 with the humidity.

Decided to go with the terracing of the sunniest spot in the yard that was not front lawn.

Before, when my dirt was delivered:


Getting there:


Spred some humus/manure before final tilling and raking


Weed barrier down, waiting for evening shade to start planting.


Each section is 3'x25' planting a staggered double row in each I should fit 100 plants, with 18-24" plant spacing.

Off now to put the weed barrier down on the other patch, which comes into shade a little earlier in the afternoon.

 

[johnlee1933]

Nice looking job. Lot of work. Good luck with the grow.

 

[deluxestogie]

It looks good. I worry that the middle of the two center rows will be mighty difficult to maintain. My math comes out with 16 to 17 plants per double staggered row for each bed: 64-68 plants, at full spacing.

Bob

 

[Knucklehead]

Very nice solution.

 

[DGBAMA]

It looks good. I worry that the middle of the two center rows will be mighty difficult to maintain. My math comes out with 16 to 17 plants per double staggered row for each bed: 64-68 plants, at full spacing.

Bob

Thanks Bob. I realize I am sacrificing spacing a bit, versus recommended. just working with what I got. like leveling the side of a mountain to have planting space. Also the orientials will be at a closer "traditional spacing" which will free up some room for the larger ones.

 

[DGBAMA]

Very nice solution.

Always wanted to do this. When young I remember admiring the oriental rice farms, terraced into the side of mountains.

 

[BigMikeChevy]

good job looking good man.

 

[AmaxB]

That's a bit of work, looks good can't wait to see tobacco there.

 

[Boboro]

Looks good to me. You can work around the tite space.

 

[DGBAMA]

Half planted and it stats raining.

Hopefully it passes and I can finish the rest under lights.

 

[BigMikeChevy]

someone was sayin it time to take a break

 

[DGBAMA]

someone was sayin it time to take a break

Not unless I want to go it and gather up 60 plants in cups already laid out at their proper spacing and wait for next weekend to plant. Lol.

 

[leverhead]

Very nice! I will never complain about having flat ground again.

 

[DGBAMA]

Very nice! I will never complain about having flat ground again.

Until this year I never realized how many yards there were in my area that were level and full sun. Can't go anywhere without noticing now. Will do the best I can with what I've got. Just like I always have.

 

[Knucklehead]

Rained here last night like pouring piss out of a boot. It was sure enough coming down. If this keeps up I'm going to have to figure out a way to put little water wings on my plants.

 

[johnlee1933]

Until this year I never realized how many yards there were in my area that were level and full sun. Can't go anywhere without noticing now. Will do the best I can with what I've got. Just like I always have.

Don't despair. Get them to let you plant there also.

 

[Boboro]

I could have used some of that rain over here. We still have pleaty of time to plant. I just finished this weekend. Right now its the heat and sun thats a problem for seedlins. Give them a little shade if you can.

 

[workhorse_01]

Boy howdy! you sure did it bama, and it looks good. Sure you'll have a little harder time getting to the middle but It's gonna look good. Looks to me like you read Amax's signature and built it! I cant wait to see the plants in the ground. Nice work!

 

[DGBAMA]

Well, never got the break in the rain last night so up at 5:30 this morning setting the second patch before work. Forecast is for chance of thunderstorms every day this week. If they are not severe, the cloud cover should be good for getting them established in the ground before it gets too hot. Everything went in except the 20 VA Gold, which will go in a separate bed next weekend. Since the dirt and sun are so different for the two planting areas, I divided some of each variety into each patch to see what grows best where.

The "hill patch":
24 Silver river
12 Bursa
12 Yayladag
12 Havannah (Lonnies)
12 YTB
38 Turkish Izmir

The "garden patch":
24 Silver river
12 Bursa
12 Yayladag
12 Havannah (Lonnies)
12 YTB

Will update some pics this evening, hopefully they do well in their new homes.