Zen Garden 2025

[Zen_seeker]

20250813: GDP Autos Day 71









Pics are from yesterday morning after the overnight storms. Soggy but doing well. Hoping they will be done by mid September.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

Already got it out. Handy tool.
View attachment 111062

I did this last Fall and it worked great. I hope to get some cover set up before late flower, this year. I've had several things planned that I haven't accomplished, though.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I did this last Fall and it worked great. I hope to get some cover set up before late flower, this year. I've had several things planned that I haven't accomplished, though.

I’ve used it in the past with my large in-ground plant Twin 2. It’s probably my most used tool these days. Wife loves it for clearing sidewalks/driveway.

I’ve got a list that keeps growing. Seems everything we replaced a decade ago is failing now. Most I can fix but can’t find parts.

We couldn’t find the special bulbs for the basement vanity light so we decided to replace it with just a regular bulb fixture. Found out the electrical box was hacked in and the drywall wasn’t even level or primed. It’s taken days to build it up and sand it because of all the humidity. I’m planning to paint it the matching wall color today.



Almost done.


I’d like to put crates in each corner of my garden to raise the greenhouse higher. More of a cover. Then I can drape material over the top as a sun shade when needed. Need to get the extra crates first.

Didn’t you drape a sun screen over your t-frames, you find it’s enough?

Edit: 20250816
All done. Nothing fancy or professional. It’s better than when I started and now we can use regular sized bulbs which is what my wife wanted. The wall and electrical box got improved but could have been better.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Hot but humidity is way down, strong winds from the south are making it a nice day.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I’ve used it in the past with my large in-ground plant Twin 2. It’s probably my most used tool these days. Wife loves it for clearing sidewalks/driveway.

I’ve got a list that keeps growing. Seems everything we replaced a decade ago is failing now. Most I can fix but can’t find parts.

We couldn’t find the special bulbs for the basement vanity light so we decided to replace it with just a regular bulb fixture. Found out the electrical box was hacked in and the drywall wasn’t even level or primed. It’s taken days to build it up and sand it because of all the humidity. I’m planning to paint it the matching wall color today.

View attachment 111226View attachment 111227

Almost done.
View attachment 111228

I’d like to put crates in each corner of my garden to raise the greenhouse higher. More of a cover. Then I can drape material over the top as a sun shade when needed. Need to get the extra crates first.

Didn’t you drape a sun screen over your t-frames, you find it’s enough?

Yes. I just got the 30% sunshade. Pretty light cover, but it makes a huge difference. I haven"t measured temps outside versus under the shade, but it feels significant.

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250817: GDP Autos Day 74





Main colas are water bottle size. Some side branches are drooping lower now.

Woke up to rain at 3am this morning. It’s good to have it as anything we haven’t watered is brown and/or shrivelled. We had less humidity the last couple of days but the gardens all needed double the water.

Picked up a large bag of gypsum, it was on sale so I didn’t pay tax just $30.

Started a new batch of JMS. I’d like to get the old soil in a few garden beds rejuvenated after doing another foliar spray. Later I’ll start a IMO and see if I can start making my own microbes over the fall/winter.


Stonemason mentioned I could farm the Mykos/Azos as well. I have one tote left so I can give that a shot too.

Something called the collection or Seed IMO is a way to keep microbes in the soil alive a few years so that’s another step I’ll try. Just needs rice and brown sugar. After that IMO3&4 can be started.

I’d like to head back to the woods once again and get the better soil mid week when the area isn’t so busy. It’s darker and richer, even had Trillium growing the last time I was there.

Still haven’t made up my mind on which seeds to pop next. Never had this many options before. After losing half our crop to males the last two runs I’m thinking fems are step one.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend people’s.

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I'm jealous of those big colas. Very nice! I'm early in flower outdoors, but need to figure out what to use to encourage bud development. Last year I had decent sized plants, but small colas. I'd guess some of it was not trimming enough to focus growth where I want it, but I also need to study up on nutrients. Especially if outdoors needs something different.

I love following your KNF efforts. You've jumped right in and are doing some neat stuff . It's something I plan to work on in the future.

 

[ninjadip]

20250807: GDP Autos Day 65


View attachment 110429

View attachment 110430

View attachment 110431

Man I've been missing out on this thread! These girls look amazing

 

[Zen_seeker]

I'm jealous of those big colas. Very nice! I'm early in flower outdoors, but need to figure out what to use to encourage bud development.

I normally top a plant at least once but as these came from G$ I took his advice and didn’t muck with them. Gives me a chance to see how they do on their own as well. It’s my first time growing autos so I had/have no idea what to expect. Because of our strange spring and summer none of our plants are growing normally this year so can only guess that these are smaller than normal but they sure did pack on the buds. Hard and heavy too.

The soil is just normal Sunshine Mix #4. I only started top feeding with Gaia, mykos and worm castings. One JMS foliar and a milk shower are the extra efforts.

Last year I had decent sized plants, but small colas. I'd guess some of it was not trimming enough to focus growth where I want it, but I also need to study up on nutrients. Especially if outdoors needs something different.

I lollipop outdoor plants, really helps if it gets nasty and humid. The autos had so little growth there was no need.

My huge plant a few years ago I had to trim to stop WPM outbreaks. H2O2 and milk showers kept that at bay. Got lucky. Most others lost their outdoor that year.

I love following your KNF efforts. You've jumped right in and are doing some neat stuff . It's something I plan to work on in the future.

I’ve had an interest in it since Stonemason joined the old forum. It’s taken…4+ years to get this far. Mostly because of what’s required to get things started not being handy or local. My issue is I like instructions A-Z for when I try things, experimenting comes later. But KNF/Jadam is more free and open to trying things.

Space is the other issue. A lot of these things need time and space to do their thing before use. Then you need to store it. Each year I’ve tried one or two things. Now I’m ready to put some of it to use.

IIRC the FFJ (Fermented Fruit Juice) is the bloom booster for KNF. It’s an easy recipe that just uses a lot of brown sugar and a few weeks to make.

Double check Stonemasons KNF thread to see if the FFJ is right.

 

[Zen_seeker]

JMS is hopefully still brewing. Temperature dropped from 30*+ to 14* today.

I’ll be doing a morning JMS foliar spray shortly after i finish posting.
Update: That’s done, looked good.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

- Pesticide/Fungicide -
I’m going to give Stonemasons Jadam sulphur recipe a try too. I just need to grab some Lye. I scaled down the recipe to make just under 2 litres. You only need a few TSP/TBSP as this is strong stuff that can wipe out WPM in 24hrs.

Anyone else that doesn’t need 5 gallons here’s the 2 litre recipe.

You will need to make or buy Castile soap to complete the spray, don’t use the above directly.

- Jadam Sulphur Spray recipe -
The following is per gallon of water.
10ml/2tsp - Jadam Sulphur
90ml/3oz - Castile Soap

That’s it. Use only on places where outbreaks have occurred. This isn’t for preventative measures. Over use will destroy plant cells as well.

Here’s the guide:

This is the DIY Castile Soap:

 

[ninjadip]

JMS is hopefully still brewing. Temperature dropped from 30*+ to 14* today.

I’ll be doing a morning JMS foliar spray shortly after i finish posting.

- Pesticide/Fungicide -
I’m going to give Stonemasons Jadam sulphur recipe a try too. I just need to grab some Lye. I scaled down the recipe to make just under 2 litres. You only need a few TSP/TBSP as this is strong stuff that can wipe out WPM in 24hrs.

Anyone else that doesn’t need 5 gallons here’s the 2 litre recipe. View attachment 111526

You will need to make or buy Castile soap to complete the spray, don’t use the above directly.

- Jadam Sulphur Spray recipe -
The following is per gallon of water.
10ml/2tsp - Jadam Sulphur
90ml/3oz - Castile Soap

That’s it. Use only on places where outbreaks have occurred. This isn’t for preventative measures. Over use will destroy plant cells as well.

Here’s the guide:

This is the DIY Castile Soap:

How do you feel about neem oil as a preventative? I've had success with this and the plants usually like it in moderation

 

[Zen_seeker]

How do you feel about neem oil as a preventative? I've had success with this and the plants usually like it in moderation

It’s prohibited up here. Only place you can find it is Amazon. Not sure why they sell it as it’s illegal to use.

G$ has told me about it. Sounds like nasty stuff that’s a last resort.

 

[ninjadip]

Why

It’s prohibited up here. Only place you can find it is Amazon. Not sure why they sell it as it’s illegal to use.

G$ has told me about it. Sounds like nasty stuff that’s a last resort.

Is it illegal? I'll have to look it up, thanks didn't know

 

[ninjadip]

Why

Is it illegal? I'll have to look it up, thanks didn't know

Interesting to say the least, didn't know it was so controversial. Seems the biggest issues are lack of testing, standardization, and the variance between species/genetics of the trees, even when they look the same. I only use it in the grow stage, at about week 2-3, two applications, at least a week apart and then never have issues in flower. I'll have to research more

The Reality - Neem - NCBI Bookshelf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234647/

 

[Pipecarver]

I got to show off my new grow lights, should be here Wednesday
I have Red, Blue, Green and thought wtf....??? Black???...lol

 

[Zen_seeker]

I got to show off my new grow lights, should be here WednesdayView attachment 111539
I have Red, Blue, Green and thought wtf....??? Black???...lol

You’re making your own rainbow of lights!

I know you get good results with the reds and blues. Not sure about the green but why not.

Are the black lights real UV or just the type for showing off the cool velvet posters we had in the day? I had this one until I was married.

Sorry your trip was so short bud but glad to have you back with us.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Beautiful day. Been up by 6am or earlier the last few weeks. Today was one of the days that makes it worth while. Got everything sprayed and watered before 8am. Sun doesn’t hit the gardens until 10’ish due to the tall hedge.



All the sunflowers have heads started if not already flowering.

I’ve got my hole for the spearmint dug out and gave it a good soak of JMS. Even tossed the old earth soul into the hole for good measure. But I’ll wait for the smaller bees to move along before transplanting. They don’t bother me but why rush it if I don’t need too? Must be at least six of them crawling all over the flowers and hopping from stem to stem.

Oh, we have a few pot plants too.
Nothing on them at the moment. Wind is really blowing.







Guess that’s it for today. Need to feed them but that can wait. Enjoy the rest of your day folks.

 

[Pipecarver]

You’re making your own rainbow of lights!

I know you get good results with the reds and blues. Not sure about the green but why not.

Are the black lights real UV or just the type for showing off the cool velvet posters we had in the day? I had this one until I was married. View attachment 111554

Sorry your trip was so short bud but glad to have you back with us.

Thanks its good to be home too. I was reading about cannabis photography and they mentioned Black lights so I instantly amazoned and $20? sure why not Ultra violet uvc, googling said yes plants can use it but there's no talk about black light booster bars...enhancing a grow but eh, I'm going to bite on UVC lights but I'll wait until I'm in late flower to buy and use them.

My tents cleared out I can get in and mount my side lights and I'll add 1 Black light along with the green and 2 side lights at the back of my tent. Blues, Reds & full spec on top

 

[Bandit420]

Thanks its good to be home too. I was reading about cannabis photography and they mentioned Black lights so I instantly amazoned and $20? sure why not Ultra violet uvc, googling said yes plants can use it but there's no talk about black light booster bars...enhancing a grow but eh, I'm going to bite on UVC lights but I'll wait until I'm in late flower to buy and use them.

My tents cleared out I can get in and mount my side lights and I'll add 1 Black light along with the green and 2 side lights at the back of my tent. Blues, Reds & full spec on top

Caution with that UV-C man...it aint for plants but for sterilization.
It can be used to sweep over a plant to kill mold or powdery mildew but in very short, like 5 second bursts and you have to wear eye and skin protection while it's on because it's pretty much instant cancer when exposed to it without protection

 

[ninjadip]

Caution with that UV-C man...it aint for plants but for sterilization.
It can be used to sweep over a plant to kill mold or powdery mildew but in very short, like 5 second bursts and you have to wear eye and skin protection while it's on because it's pretty much instant cancer when exposed to it without protection

I think I'm getting some UV burn on the leaves closest to the UV lights, running them at bigger intervals than mfg recommendation, and the leaves affected are closer than 1 foot to the light. But other than that i love it, other leaves look great!

 

[Bandit420]

I think I'm getting some UV burn on the leaves closest to the UV lights, running them at bigger intervals than mfg recommendation, and the leaves affected are closer than 1 foot to the light. But other than that i love it, other leaves look great!

Is it UV-B?
Is so yep it can burn. I think it's application is something like no more than 4 hours on and towards then end of a lights on period.
It also requires some protection or at least respect for it to not look into it or get bare skin too close.
I like UVB mostly because bugs like mites avoid it like it's radiation poison and it can get some strains to frost up more than usual.


UV_A is nearly harmless and can be used for an entire lights on period and really from early veg until death. It's pretty much black light but in LED and not floro like the 70s and blacklight psychedelic posters.
When a LED company uses UV as a selling point, it's UVA diodes in there.
It's been slow and wonky for it in horticulture light development but is coming along. I'd say it's results are somewhere around 60-70% of what UVB can do. Not quite as good but far less dangerous and gives enough positivity with zero negativity to make it a worthwhile addition IMO.

 

[ninjadip]

Is it UV-B?
Is so yep it can burn. I think it's application is something like no more than 4 hours on and towards then end of a lights on period.
It also requires some protection or at least respect for it to not look into it or get bare skin too close.
I like UVB mostly because bugs like mites avoid it like it's radiation poison and it can get some strains to frost up more than usual.


UV_A is nearly harmless and can be used for an entire lights on period and really from early veg until death. It's pretty much black light but in LED and not floro like the 70s and blacklight psychedelic posters.
When a LED company uses UV as a selling point, it's UVA diodes in there.
It's been slow and wonky for it in horticulture light development but is coming along. I'd say it's results are somewhere around 60-70% of what UVB can do. Not quite as good but far less dangerous and gives enough positivity with zero negativity to make it a worthwhile addition IMO.

Yeah i think just UVA, it's from spider farmers. Maybe just being super close to it, those leaves don't like it. Got it on triple the mfg recommendations i think, i forget what i have it on, maybe 20 minutes on 20 off

Now what really gets my eyes it's looking in that super deep red.... I have those come on only before and after lights out, with a small overlap. Fucking got me good one day admiring the crazy cyclops laser red/purple lol, i can't even look in the tent at the bottom of it when they are on, fucking hurts like shit.

 

[Pipecarver]

Caution with that UV-C man...it aint for plants but for sterilization.
It can be used to sweep over a plant to kill mold or powdery mildew but in very short, like 5 second bursts and you have to wear eye and skin protection while it's on because it's pretty much instant cancer when exposed to it without protection

I uv'd wrong its ultra violet UVA around 400nm. I have 2 week ass black lights but they are pretty 10w. Green on top Black in the middle and full spec side lights bottom

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250822: GDP Autos Day 79

Gave them a feeding yesterday. Some color changes and fan leaves have a bit of faded wash to them. Colas are big and firm.











We actually had rain over two days. No downpour but enough to water most plants. Some needed a little extra. Temperatures have greatly improved holding around the mid 20’s. Strong winds from the south.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Gardens doing okay.













Pic from two days ago when it transplanted the spearmint plant. Looks better today. Rain helped with the digging.

 

[stonemason]

I have been trying to kill my spearmint for 20 years.used to have a big patch where the oregano is now.it tried to take over the whole herb bed. Be carefull where you plant it.makes good fpj that the bugs dont like.

 

[Pipecarver]

I have been trying to kill my View attachment 111887spearmint for 20 years.used to have a big patch where the oregano is now.it tried to take over the whole herb bed. Be carefull where you plant it.makes good fpj that the bugs dont like.

Our cats love the mint patches, They roll around in it and get all frisky, its like cat nip to them and when they get close you can see the determination in their expressions and there's no stopping them at that point.

 

[Zen_seeker]

I have been trying to kill my View attachment 111887spearmint for 20 years.used to have a big patch where the oregano is now.it tried to take over the whole herb bed. Be carefull where you plant it.makes good fpj that the bugs dont like.

I was warned by @Stoneyluv he’s got it as well.

I put it in the small garden beside the porch. It’s not a large area and the sidewalk has plastic under it so that should contain it. Need to rip out the rest of the grass there.



We planted the peonies, the rest are from 30 years ago when we bought the place.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Our cats love the mint patches, They roll around in it and get all frisky, its like cat nip to them and when they get close you can see the determination in their expressions and there's no stopping them at that point.

Sam (Samantha) passed just before Covid. She was a great black cat with a white diamond on her chest. If I’d known cats like it I would have bought it sooner. I only got this plant as an impulse buy. Reminded me of “home”.

Down the road rhubarb and lilac will be added.

 

[Stoneyluv]

i have a big patch out on the corner of my yard... best smelling part of mowing the lawn!!!!! hahaha

makin tea baby!!!! hahahaha

https://imgur.com/a/VgjMfcs

 

[BlueCollarBob]

I have been trying to kill my View attachment 111887spearmint for 20 years.used to have a big patch where the oregano is now.it tried to take over the whole herb bed. Be carefull where you plant it.makes good fpj that the bugs dont like.

Yeah, I may have effed up, myself. I planted some in with my tomatoes. Afterwards I started seeing comments about it's reputation for spreading. Have you tried wetting everything and covering it with silage tarp or some kind of non-permeable black plastic for a few weeks? I've been seeing where some market farmers do this to start in new ground or to kill cover crops before planting. They do talk about it being hard on soil biology and some stuff being just plain hard to kill, though.

 

[stonemason]

Yeah, I may have effed up, myself. I planted some in with my tomatoes. Afterwards I started seeing comments about it's reputation for spreading. Have you tried wetting everything and covering it with silage tarp or some kind of non-permeable black plastic for a few weeks? I've been seeing where some market farmers do this to start in new ground or to kill cover crops before planting. They do talk about it being hard on soil biology and some stuff being just plain hard to kill, though.

Ya black tarp would do it,but i dont want to kill the oregano and the cone flowers I planted in it's spot. As long as we pull it all up in the spring just a tiny bit comes back during the summer.

 

[Zen_seeker]

i have a big patch out on the corner of my yard... best smelling part of mowing the lawn!!!!! hahaha

makin tea baby!!!! hahahaha

https://imgur.com/a/VgjMfcs

That’s how I got introduced to spearmint plants. Ran my uncles over with the lawnmower. He was cool about it. Hard but fair man. Only one who paid well for a good job done. Learned a lot from him. Smell is a strong memory stimulant so this reminds me of times past.

 

[Zen_seeker]

Yeah, I may have effed up, myself. I planted some in with my tomatoes. Afterwards I started seeing comments about it's reputation for spreading. Have you tried wetting everything and covering it with silage tarp or some kind of non-permeable black plastic for a few weeks? I've been seeing where some market farmers do this to start in new ground or to kill cover crops before planting. They do talk about it being hard on soil biology and some stuff being just plain hard to kill, though.

Surround the plant with a plastic border, not sure how deep you’ll need.

 

[ninjadip]

Yeah i think just UVA, it's from spider farmers. Maybe just being super close to it, those leaves don't like it. Got it on triple the mfg recommendations i think, i forget what i have it on, maybe 20 minutes on 20 off

Now what really gets my eyes it's looking in that super deep red.... I have those come on only before and after lights out, with a small overlap. Fucking got me good one day admiring the crazy cyclops laser red/purple lol, i can't even look in the tent at the bottom of it when they are on, fucking hurts like shit.

Just realized my UVA timer got set to never turn off for who knows how long... Explains a lot

 

[ninjadip]

I miss mowing, used to have a mint patch as well that i liked mowing over. I learned after i planted it that i should have never done that lol

Everyone's gardens look great

 

[Zen_seeker]

20250826: GDP Autos Day 83

Things were going to well. Should have expected an issue was due.

I noticed the small indoor sunflower we put on the porch to get extra light was covered in webs two or three days later.

This had me checking the GDP the next morning. Found a few things.
First thing I noticed was this stoned guy sleeping in the buds. G$ noticed the poop but I’d already found him.

Dark spots aren’t good.


This is just dried lacto.


Webs had me concerned but when I sprayed Safer’s a few garden spiders dropped down.


Sprayed and soggy.



Only a week or two to go so I should have expected something sooner. The heatwave and drought had stopped a lot of insect issues but the colder temp and rain has kicked off a rush I wasn’t ready for. Live and learn I guys. I’ll be checking them later this morning.

 

[Stoneyluv]

kill em all Zen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i saw this come across my radar and thought of you..

 

[Zen_seeker]

kill em all Zen!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’m not sure they got on the plants but I wasn’t waiting to find out.

It’s been cold and damp the last few nights. Light rain that doesn’t really water the plants.

Cold temps really changed things too.

i saw this come across my radar and thought of you..

That looks cool. I still use the type I grew up with.

If I found one of those for a reasonable price I’d give it a shot!

Didn’t someone here try a brass one that looked good but broke after a few uses?

Wonder if I could find a 3D one to print? Something to look up.

Woke up after a bad/sad dream. More of a reliving past events mushed together. Left me sad and depressed this morning. Having trouble shaking it off.

I’ve got a couple of nice Teddy Bear sunflower heads I’m saving. When I harvest them I’ll send you a bunch.

 

[Zen_seeker]