MENTIONED VIDEOS:
Gardening Q&A Part 1: https://youtu.be/HCl1lwvZvG8
Growing Zucchini Vertically: https://youtu.be/MEOLY9D5n2k
Installing Drip Tape: https://youtu.be/DbAWVx5Zn7k
Squash Bugs/Vine Borer: https://youtu.be/3MZ_4R5GDC4
Pruning Blackberries: https://youtu.be/EMBx6Xio0yo
Neptunes Harvest (with discount) & Other Products I Love: https://www.nextlevelgardening.tv/products-i-love
_________________________________________________________
Hey Guys, I’m Brian from Next Level Gardening
Welcome to our online community! A place to be educated, inspired and hopefully entertained at the same time! A place where you can learn to grow your own food and become a better organic gardener. At the same time, a place to grow the beauty around you and stretch that imagination (that sometimes lies dormant, deep inside) through gardening.
I’m so glad you’re here!
WHERE TO FIND ME (Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you purchase through our links we’ll receive a small commission that helps support our channel, but the price remains the same, or better for you!)
– Our Website: https://www.nextlevelgardening.tv
– Our Second Channel, NEXT LEVEL HOMESTEAD: https://www.youtube.com/nextlevelhomestead
– The School of Traditional Skills: https://bit.ly/3zoFWy1
– Instagram: www.instagram.com/nextlevelgardening
– Our Facebook Garden Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nextlevelgardeners
PRODUCTS I LOVE – https://www.nextlevelgardening.tv/products-i-love
44 Comments
Looking forward to Sunday's episode. Do you think you can cover tomato plants growing in containers using a "drop" line? I find this a big challenge not cracking the vine. Would it help to wrap the vine more? I have viewed your previous video that "touched" on the subject but did not go into detail concerning what happens as the season progresses. This may be a lot to ask because the majority of your viewers are "in ground" gardeners, but it would be greatly appreciated.
I’m probably the only one who prefers to hand water my 8 raised beds, rather than drip tape or tube. Not only can I monitor the plants growth, but check for problems before they become an issue. A offer in one hand, the garden hose in the other is a great way to start the day
I plant White Icicle Radishes amongst my squash to help with squash bugs. Also, you can get all of the drip tape fittings from Berryhill Irrigation in Virginia. You will have a lot fewer leaks if you get the correct (compression type fittings). You do have to ensure you get the tape pushed on the fitting really well. I hope I helped you and maybe someone else as well.
I bought a Greenstalk last year but haven’t been happy with it. Our summer in North Texas was blisteringly hot and we had no rain for months and months. I had a hard time keeping the soil from drying out. I planted mostly herbs and some strawberries and none of it didn’t really grow. It also blew over several times, killing what did survive the heat and drought. I thought I would plant it again in the fall with cold tolerant plants but I was so burned out from last summer, I let it go. I am now considering where I can put it where I will have better luck and how I can anchor it down so it won’t blow over again.
Bloodleaf, try returning to your old homestead and ask for more cuttings. It can not hurt, only help you. Plus memories.
It's always a pleasure to watch your videos. The thing is, I don't know which you are better at!! Teaching or gardening. All I know I enjoy and learn so much from watching your videos. I can't get tired of seeing the cottage. I love it. It reminds me of my grandmother's. Thanks for sharing so much knowledge with us.
I just wish you could add drip to a green stalk. 💚❄️🙃
HATE drip tape! It's always getting nicked and springing leaks! Plus, getting it on the connector without it pulling off immediately is hard. I did warn you….
I use promix for seed starting and potting up. At 45 dollars for 2.8cubic feet you can't go wrong
The electronic thingy might help with the gophers if they all haven’t drown, which they may have because California never gets rain and now you have gotten Noah’s ark flooding there and they have nowhere to go yay! 💚❄️🙃
Does gypsum really work for amending clay soil? 💚❄️🙃
Starting my Northwest Arkansas garden in 2023. Wish me luck. I know the jalapeños already get GIGANTIC no problem where I’m at. Trying sweet corn and summer squash this year. Really want to start some apple and pear trees some day.
The only great thing about all the rain you’ve been having is now you know exactly where the trouble spots are and can work on redirecting the rain water. Well I guess also good is the fact that your not in a drought situation anymore. 💚❄️🙃
I got 3 Leaf – the 7 tier model of the Greenstalk Garden towers. I'm in Central California where it gets very hot and dry…I would recommend the classic 5 tier Greenstalk because the pockets are deeper and can hold more soil and hopefully not dry out as fast. This year, I'm putting the caps on the bottom drain so that might help the bottom tiers hang on to the moisture that trickles down to them.
I've tried several small plants in mine – my favorite, though, is strawberries.
They look fantastic when full of happy plants.
It's also worth it to get the spinner base with wheels. I did not find the insect netting or frost blanket useful, but maybe someday. They were an expensive accessory.
I love how well made the components are and that it's American made right here in America – I think Tennessee.
If you have a small space, or a concrete slab that you would like to grow on – get a Greenstalk Garden.
We’re having one of your most favorite types of weather today, 19 degrees Fahrenheit with wind gusts up to 30 MPR and snow, does that make you want to build a snowman?💚❄️🙃 Just teasing of course, I know you prefer sand over snow.💚❄️🙃
How about soaker hoses? Yay or nay? 💚❄️🙃
Good stuff. Things I didn't know I needed to know. Thank you.
Thanks Brian, see you next time. 💚❄️🙃
I bought a Greenstalk and it was a big fat failure. I may try it again with different soil. So many people love them, it’s worth a second shot.
I have 2 greestalks, just bought another for myself and one each for my Mom and Daughter in law. I LOVE them. Tower's of strawberries, another for herbs, kale, spinach, lettuce, onions, flowers, dwarf tomatoes❤
I like drip tape better. I ordered everything needed from Drip Depot. They have drip tape with 6in emitters and it works perfect specially with spacing plants. I use it both on raised beds and in ground garden and it works for me
is thus a hint for the green stalk?
Many thanks Brian for the true name of the blood leaf plant. By examining the name, this is a plant whose leaves can be eaten fresh in a salad or cooked. There are several varieties with different leaf colors such as purple, red, burgundy, green, orange or yellow.
he has
White flowers The flower grows on dedicated stems
Brian, Drip Depot is my go-to place for drip supplies. The drip tape comes in several different emitter spacing down to 4" and flow rates down to .25 gal./hr. Their drip tubing goes down to 6" spacing and .5 gal./hr as minimum. faster draining soil needs a higher flow rate.
Regarding the question about watering with drip pipes or another method, with us the watering method is only with drip pipes with a diameter of 1/2 or 16 in which drippers are built in every 30 cm, 50 cm or 1 meter. I prefer the products of the Netafim factory. All the parts that connect fit exactly without leaks. We have straight or L or T connections that press into the pipe without the need for any screwing. Of course, at the beginning of the line there is a filter, a pressure regulator and faucets that control the various water lines with a Galcon computer that I prefer and it gives options from one irrigation program to unlimited. All of this works for years without a problem, provided of course that you take care of regular maintenance and cleaning of the filter every month +- and washing the pipes once a year so that the drippers do not get clogged.
Love these Q & A. I learn lots. I’d never heard of the electro culture, and I didn’t know what a greenstalk was although I’ve seen pictures but dismissed them as having to water all the time, as they look like they’d dry out fast. Maybe I’ll look into trying one. I used to till my garden but after watching your show have gone to no till and raised beds. I love the no till/raised beds and will never go back to tilling. My garden has been soooo much better. Great show, Thanks!!
Does fertilizer (liquid, granular, etc.) have a shelf life? When should l replace it?
I have a green stalk. I love it for the things Brian talked about. Lettuce strawberries some flowers. Great for bok choy. But it dries about very easily so watch the watering!
Brian, Green Stalks are GREAT! I live in an RV park, on a small lot, so not much room for a garden. With my 4 Green Stalks, I can grow a lot of food in a very small area! I have grown onions, okra, peppers, herbs, and leafy greens, as well as a few florals. This year I plan to direct-sew some micro dwarf tomatoes in them as well as the aforementioned crops! I highly recommend them! Thanks for all the great tips and tricks over the years! Hugs, Zanna
Hello, I after watching the drip tape/hose video I was wondering if you know about the Mittleider gardening. In particular there is a section about using PVC tipe for watering the plants. I am running two 25ft dirt gardens. My soil is sand and I am in zone 9a. The PVC is working quite well.
LOVE my GreenStalk! I have a small lot with an HOA so it’s a good way to grow things without attracting the attention of the HOA police… def great for lettuces, though am playing with other things also.
What is salty compost? How to avoid it? Do you have a video on that?
Brian, I get so distracted by the birds at my birdbath every evening. I have all sorts of varieties. I keep it clean and full. If I miss a day, I sware they look toward my window like they're disappointed 😅 back to gardening, I love your channel, your information, and just regular talk as if we're neighbors chatting outside. 😊
Thank you, Brian. I learn and am made aware of so much from you and your videos. Ahh yes….the therapy of playing in the dirt. Living in
Northern Michigan time is limited…but this year we were blessed to go visit brother in Florida. I was his hands and feet and played in the dirt planting for him. Blessings to you three🙏❤️
Thanks Brain❤
Brian, thank you so much. I have learned so much. I’ve been gardening since last August.
I’ve been playing both with Burpee trays (self-watering and not) as well as soil-blocks. So two questions.
1. What do you think of soil blocking?
2. What do you think of self-watering seed starters?
I’ve also used soil-blocking with the hydration mats, which seems to get awfully wet. Thanks again!
I have 8 Greenstalk towers (they are local to me so I have had them longer than most) and love them. The original ones have 11 inch deep pockets and the leaf ones have 7 inch pockets. I have back issues as well as animals that I fight to keep out of my garden spots (mostly groundhogs and raccoons) and the height mostly keeps them out especially on the top levels. I have been successful with so many plants (herbs, veggies, and flowers). I still also do raised beds as well as pots. I do battle the squash bugs and cucumber beetles every year and hate how many things I lose to animals and birds (they peck my tomatoes). Love your tips and channel!!
Gardening to me is soul soothing..if that makes sense 😊
True words….
I love you answer. I totally agreed that having your hands in the dirt is so therapeutic. I can down and the moment I start working on my garden I am so relaxed. I love it. You are awesome!!!!
Man you hit the nail on the head with saying never give up. My first garden about 7 years ago was just plant some seeds in the middle of the yard. I was still working full time and it was a mess. I got maybe one serving of green beans out of the whole garden. Forward to a few years later when I retired and I spent all winter watching your videos. I built a small garden and added all the amendments to it with drip irrigation and every thing grew so good I had a ton more cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers than than we could even eat, even with my vegetarian sis in law living with us. 😁 Comping at the bit this year for warmer weather as I have my plants now growing and just waiting to go outside. Thanks for all the great info you give us. Cheers🍅
I am new to planting what Starter Kit do I need for growing seeds in GA?
Is raised beds better for beginners?
Got a green stalk a couple years ago. Worked great for strawberry until the wind. Very top heavy. Was so mad about loosing all my strawberries I packed it away. Going to try this year but putting cinch it between T-posts this year. For wind reference 40 to 60 mph ( got to love living on the prairie)
The GS is a wonderful growing system and solves many problems encountered with other vertical gardening systems. Some tips:
The deeper pockets of the GS help with nutrient and moisture retention, more in the original than the leaf. Good to add a little compost or worm castings to the potting mix. Fertilize as you would containers. At planting time, it helps to mix the soil with some water before putting it in there to charge it up with moisture. Wonderful system and space-saving for greens, dwarfs, strawberries, and bush varieties of plants. Add some companion flowers and it's cool beans!