July 6th: Test Bed Two; an update.

Regular readers of this blog will know I messed up my first Test Bed by actually under-feeding the Better World plants (while still getting superior results).

http://hasenfrass.blogspot.com/2011/06/june-26th-instructions-what.html

So to be fair, I started some new beds. “War of the Roses” –posted today– is part of this Test Bed 2. 

Here you see the comparison beds. 

Nothing happening in the lettuce (well, one shoot in Better World, but I’m not counting that yet).

Peas on the Better World are doing great (back row).

Can’t spot any differences with the carrots yet.

Height-wise, the new tomatoes seem equal.

Good growth happening in the Miracle Gro bin.

Good growth happening in the Miracle Gro bin.

 Meanwhile, in Better World...

Apparently, this hairy growth on the Better World stem is really really good.  

You can see the new root shoots coming in too. 

New growth on Better World. 

Basil. Speaks for itself.

July 6th: Today’s Tomato Tally.

My tomatoes are coming in nicely. But I have some yellowing leaves. Mixed research on what is causing it.

Some reports tell me “too much water,” others say “not enough water,” others “not enough nutrients,” or “too much sun,” “disease,” and my favourite— “it’s normal.”

http://www.ediblecontainergardening.com/what-causes-yellow-tomato-plant-leaves/

http://mgonline.com/articles/yellow_leaves.aspx

http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=42753

Doing this much research goes against all the rules of The Lazy Gardener Creed. 

As the upper parts of the plant seems healthy, and the fruit is coming in, I’m going to go with “it’s normal.”

The two beds.

Miracle Gro bed. These are being fed every week, so it can’t be a lack of nutrient.

Largest MiracleGro tomato.

Better World bin. Plants showing less yellow.

 My largest tomato on Better World. Kicking butt, I’d say. 

 The Better World bin has 8 tomatoes growing. 

Miracle Gro bin has 7 tomatoes, not as large.

June 8th: Can I buy myself a better world?

Of course! Money solves all of the world’s problems. But let’s start small— with your own backyard.

A beautifully designed Better World Plant Food package, if I do say so myself. 

I’ve had a few inquires since starting this blog,“Where can I get this stuff?”  Obviously, Scott’s Miracle-Gro you can find just about anywhere, unless your garden centre actually cares about the environment and doesn’t want to sell petro-chemicals. (Oops. I’m editorializing.... sorry.)

As I’ve stated earlier, I was given some sample product when I designed the packaging, so I’ve been using that lot.

If you contact info@primenutrients.ca
you can get the most recent list of retailers. Or, you might be able to order directly from   the company. I understand their website will be up shortly, and you’ll be able to purchase on-line.

If you’re interested in buying some Better World Plant Food, here’s a list of stores that carry it as of today:

CENTRAL TORONTO:

Evergreen Brickworks Garden Centre: 550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto ON

Davenport Gardening Centre: 368 Davenport Rd, Toronto ON

The Chocolate Tulip Floral Design Studio: 1251 Yonge Street, Toronto ON 

Harvest Wagon: 1103 Yonge Street, Toronto ON 

WEST TORONTO:

Karma Food Co-Operative: 739 Palmerston Ave., Toronto ON

BUFCO /Backyard Urban Farm Company: 44 Columbus Avenue, Toronto ON

Qi Natural Food & Naturopathic Clinic: 710 Bloor St. West, Toronto, ON

EAST TORONTO:

The Big Carrot: 348 Danforth Avenue, Toronto ON

Bill’s Garden Centre: 903 Pape Avenue, Toronto ON

East End Garden Centre: 1395 Queen Street East, Toronto ON

NORTH TORONTO:

Homegrown Hydroponics: 26 Meteor Drive, Toronto ON

Matchbox Garden and Seed Company: Kortright Centre, Vaughan ON

Yield of Dreams: 559 Steven Crt., Unit #12, Newmarket ON

Woodhill Garden Centre: 320 Steeles Avenue East, Thornhill ON

OTHER:

Homegrown Hydroponics: 521 Dunlop Street W, Barrie ON

Home Hydroponics: 289 Rutherford Rd. S#22, Brampton ON

Homegrown Hydroponics: 79 Woolwich Street South, unit 4 Breslau/ Kitchener ON

Chedoke Flowers: 945 Garth Street, Hamilton ON

Harpers Garden Centre: 1039 Wilson St. E, Ancaster ON 

Growers Choice Hydroponics: 1621 McEwen Drive, Whitby ON

The Organic Garage:579 Kerr Street, Oakville ON