Gardyn October refresh

You may remember Garden recommends a monthly refresh to keep things in balance and a deep clean every six months. You may also remember that I chose to actually refresh more ofen at two weeks. 

As my time away passed I kept stretching the time out, developing bad habits. I think the only spreadsheet updates I have been logging are the arrived seeds. I've actually been home noshing daily for a while now. None the less I found myself letting the water get low as the 28 day count down expired and so busy I just added more water and fertilizer. So how bad is it?  The water looked comparable as did the biofilm inside (the early GSE  trial seemed to make that worse). There was a lot more chrystalized gunk at the seams. Actually took two passes with h202 and a toothbrush. It was more I was doing it at night and when I turned the LEDs back on, I realized I did a poor job. Also I looked at the funnels, and the tilting me reminded me that I rarely clean the back. Pulled some roots out of the funnels, but decided the brown did not warrent disassembly. Made sure the sections were not stuck with rotation but not pulling apart. Did the typical h202 squirt and bottle brush. Double checked the water flow. Pulled some more roots out with a toothbrush when impeded. So the system seems ok.

I did have a leak this summer that was a result of the tubing on the splitter splitting. (did I just post on Facebook?). I just trimmed the ends and put back together with connectors recommended in the user group. It does make be think that I should to a deep clean before my 12 month warranty expires. So soon.

Jungle

The issue is more that many plants wanted to take over the world: both what you could see and the roots. That lemon balm grew into its mint tendancies with vines longer than my arm. The cuttings I started of basil, thai basil, and tomatoes were already becoming monsters in thier own right.  Had to chuckle as the basil cuttings stuck in a cup of water at the shore were still alive with quite a root mass. I have got to get pine nuts or even walnuts and make pesto.  Then get back to one of each of these plants.

Why was the amaranth not growing up? Wilting without enough water? Seeking the light? Put in the cube at the wrong angle? Turns out several branches had cracked and were peeling down the main stem. My current theory is these later huge strands of flowers were just too heavy. Since other flowers were brown and looked ready to harvest, I just cut them off.

Fall Planting:

Last year I was wishing I had planted way earlier. However I had poor results with unsupervised babies. A lid helped with the drying out, but the plants were weak and leggy. So I am only starting a little earlier.

Had pulled lots of bolting lettuces earlier, this was the last of the mustard. Decided the replace an original kale. Don't really like the laciento kale. The second round (a couple of thinnings) of swiss chard is doing well. The second tatsoi is not as geometrically pleasing, but is edible.

Can I root thyme (just pruned back hard), parseley (the one I started this summer looks good),  or dill?

The calendula got an agressive trim to get rid of dead leaves. It is still putting out lots of flowers.  The strawberry put out just enough flowers to save its life. I had missed a few berries. Since the focus is on food, I chose not to start another flower now.

What else do I want to try? options include legumes, cucumbers, and assorted eggplant. I think I picked a yellow bean. Still am excited at starting plants. Hope to regain the first thing in the morning excitement.

I think I have 5 openings and two plants I want to harvest before removing and giving away. I am hoping that I will have enough thinings that four cubes is enough. A day later, I am wishing I had gone looking for the bean seeds and separated them before adding water.

Membership

I prepaid a 10 plants a month (one of which could be fertilizer. Could not get fertilizer for the month there ordering system dropped). I am disappointed the fertilizer has gone up to 2 units. Also the occasion plant (ie sunflower) is also 2 units. :(

Pests:

Have not noticed my sundew dining yet. Have not killed it either. Maybe I should feed it. The only critter I noticed while cleaning was a light colored spider with  legs long enough to span a finger nail. That reminds me there was a bigger spider with a web across my front door. Eeek! ('Tis the season.) I need to go out my garage door with a stick and encourage it move.

Noise

The water is  defintely louder  when it ypods are empty. Had to laugh at myself this morning. Awoke in the guest room thinking the rain started earlier than expected. Eventually realized it was the Gardyn and that I had slept until 8. Was that why I was awake?  Was still in bed when my phone rang shortly there after.