Coming Soon: Garden Contest - UPDATE

Sweet, thanks.  One instructable coming up.

 I think that if you DIY a basic CNC Machine, replacing the cutting implement with some kind of sprinkler, having the hose drape kind of over and to the side. rather than a pattern to cut out, you could have points that it goes to and sprays some recommended amount of water (ask a gardener) on the plant below it. You could set up a watering routine that it goes through whenever it turns on, and you could control that with one of those timers used to turn on/off Christmas lights when you want, or maybe a sprinkler timer.

Sounds rather complex, actually...  but fantastically fun to watch!

Watering is almost the easy part, just a system of irrigation pipes with a controller or timer.

No, it's everything else that's the problem.  Pruning, weeding, pest removal, all that stuff.  If I wanted to make it work, I'd have to make a routine of it.  And that's where the lack of time poses a problem.

OK, I revise my request:  Create an automated weed remover, and you get my vote!

See if your local library or bookstore has a copy of Square Foot Gardening.  It's a system designed for people who don't have the time, etc for a lot of gardening, but still want fresh food from their garden.  You don't need a huge space either...just a couple 4 x 4 foot set-ups and you're on your way to some nutritious home-grown food!  ...Add another 4 x 4 set-up and you can have flowers to bring in for bouquets all summer long.  And, you don't need to add chemical fertilizers or sprays, keeping the whole thing organic and healthier for you and the earth!

Using his set-up, you'll know exactly how many seeds to plant in each square foot so you don't have to waste time thinning once the seedlings come up.  His soil mix is fabulous and doesn't need nearly as much watering as most gardens due to the peat moss and vermiculite in it which both hold moisture.  And, because it's a raised bed, you don't have as many bugs...and bugs are also reduced because things are planted at appropriate spaces, and overcrowding often encourages insects or at least gives 'em a place to hide!  All in all, it's a pretty easy system for busy people or grannies like me!  Good luck

If I did plant a garden, that's how I'd do it.  Just a few 3x4 or 4x4 raised boxes.  It's also true that I'm spending more time outside now that I have kids who like to play outside.  Perhaps I can make time for it, if I limit the scope and size of the garden.

Hmmm.

I know I'm a bit off topic here, jeff-o, but I didn't know you had CHILDREN...well, that's a whole different gardening story!  KIDS love gardening, and there are so many fun things you can do with them to teach them about conservation and growing things and nutrition and make it fun, not lessons!  Once a kid spends a summer afternoon in the shade of their own bean tee-pee made out of bamboo poles with beans they planted themselves, they'll remember it forever. 

FRESH pea pods or tomatoes picked and eaten right off the vine develops a life-long love of healthy vegetables.  Give the kids a small garden of their own (square foot gardening is perfect for this) and let them plant what they want in it. 

I've even seen some seeds packaged specifically for children that show vegetables with cute faces on them on the outside of the packet if you are into spending a little extra $$ for the sake of cuteness.  And, of course, kids can get their own garden tools, gloves and boots, too. 

Google children's gardens and you'll find all manner of projects to do with the kids in the garden.  THEN, when they're all fresh from their evening bath and ready for their pre-bedtime story, read them "The Secret Garden" or any of the other garden stories available for kids at your local library.

Are they into "animals"?  My grandkids are into vermicomposting.  They LOVE taking the day's potato peelings or carrot tops or shredded junk mail out to the worm bin to feed the worms.  Then, the kids have "tea" with their plants...after brewing and watering worm tea into their plants, they wash up and have a tea party in the garden with their Mom (and sometimes lucky grandmas!)  Take it a step further and add to the fun and value by adding a few chickens to your family so you can "grow your own" fertilizer and get fresh home-grown eggs...something my daughter and son-in-law have just done.  What fun...and what memories!

You simply CAN'T raise children without giving them the joy of working the soil and creating baskets full of FOOD and pretty flowers from teeny tiny seeds.   Some of my best childhood memories are in the garden with my parents and grandparents and later my own children, and I'm now making NEW garden memories with my grandkids!  

Well, I don't think I'm ready to raise my own chickens just yet (and it might be illegal in my city, I'll have to check), but you make some fantastic points.  My daughter (2.5 years old) loves digging in the dirt, so having a garden seems like a natural fit.  She's already got some gardening tools of her own, but they're only used for her sand box right now.

OK, I'll talk to my wife about setting up a garden.  It'll need protection from critters though, there are lots of wild animals that would love a free lunch.

Thanks for the inspiration, we'll see if anything happens!

 Well, I don't know how detection would work, maybe same way cameras do face recognition, but i think we could use the principal of one of those crane toys in the arcade, which means it could be attached to the sprinkler! I think I also discovered that a CNC machine could be made with that toy, or, if you've got a spare CNC machine (!??!?!?!?!!!?!??!?!), you could make a fun toy/scam!

Hmmm, how about this:

live web cam + robotic hand + millions of people on the web

= free gardening!

I think we're on to something.  I'm off to register www.tendmygarden.com!

 I think some people would take advantage of this to make crop circles, pull up good plants, let ages<5 play with the hand, or leave the hand in obscene gestures when they are done. Rather than weeding out weeds, you'd be stuck weeding out millions of goof-balls from your web site.

Maybe I'd only let my friends play with it then.  Instead of hours playing Farmville, they could do real work!

"You are in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike."

Not again! No more passages... 

"It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a Grue."

Who's fault could it be?

"Light torch"

 XYZZY

 Awsome, i planted artichokes for a friend of mine, they where up to my waist! 110cm~
2 years ago though...

thank you for the link .

Hi I tired the but it was not working me. I even tired just a minute ago too.    You are very funny watching one of your youtube

Here you go!  http://cgi.ebay.com/PURPLE-ITALIAN-ARTICHOKE-VIOLETTO-15-SEEDS-IMPORTED_W0QQitemZ200429904185QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2eaa8da139

That's beautiful! 
I planted a standard green artichoke on my hill last spring, but while it's still alive it's not producing yet.  I remain hopeful, though, and plan to give it some purple friends!

Thanks! I hope you will check out my website. My contact info is on there too.  Artichokes should be in full sun.  At this time of year, you should feed it steer manure at least 2 times per month or every 2 weeks.  Water twice per day when the weather is hot and 1 time per day when the weather is mild. Artichokes need good drainage.  If they soak in water they can get root rot within a matter of 3 days.  Go snail hunting each day... they love artichokes too!  I've got lots more helpful growing tips on my website.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB! 

GAiL

hi do you have any seed for the purple artichoke? i would love to have a few i got a green one growing in my yard now.

Isn't it fun!  I have 6 varieties: purple violetta, red romanesco, jumbo green globe, regular green globe, imperial star, and another I can't remember the name.  Love your pic!  Check out my website with artichoke stuff at www.pondplantgirl.com/artichoke-care.htm. 

I don't think I have anymore purple seeds, but am waiting for what I do have to go to seed.  I usually purchase all my gourmet reds and purples on eBay.

Thanks!  Would like to get to know you better.  There's a link for my facebook on the website too.

GARDEN BLESSINGS, GAiL