Sweet potato and red clover experiments...

[lesa]

Since I had the greenhouse set up this summer- I figured I should try to grow something in it, over the summer months. I kept a few tomato plants, a melon and 2 barrels of sweet potatoes. First of all, let me tell you- it is very easy not to water the greenhouse! Without mother natures help, you really need to water everyday...and I didn't. That being said, the tomatoes did okay, the melon was a flop. The sweet potatoes were interesting. I ended up with a small basket of fairly good sized tubers- probably enough for two meals. I know that is nothing to brag about- but it does make me interested to try again next year- with the help of some kind of drip irrigation (that does not rely on my memory!!)
The red clover experiment has just begun. I planted the seed along the fence line of my garden. I am hoping that the seed will grow (it is sprouting now) and next year, I will mow it and be able to keep the weeds down on that border. It seems like it could be a good "mulch" crop, that would look attractive and neat. If I let it flower, the bees could enjoy it as well... If it works out, I wouldn't be opposed to doing all the aisles with it. Won't have the results of this one, till next year- so stay tuned!

 

[thistlebloom]

Thanks for sharing the results of your growing experiments Lesa. Your learning curve will likely be pretty steep as you tweak your methods each year.
What kind of melon did you plant?

I experimented a bit with sweet potatoes myself this year. I didn't want to shell out the $12+ for slips, so I rooted two cuttings I took off a store bought one. I got tubers too, and I was not expecting anything because our summer was so cool. It was enough for one meal, but I so enjoyed eating it, because it was a bonus surprise!

 

[hoodat]

I grow quite a bit of red clover whenever a patch of ground isn't needed for something else, both as a soil improver and for rabbit forage. I was surprised to find out, that unlike white clover red clover is not a good bee crop. The tubes containing the nectar are too long for honeybees to reach the nectar. It is, however, a very good crop to feed parasitic wasps who are small enough to crawl right into the tubes.

 

[lesa]

I have read a bunch of differing opinions on the honeybee/red clover idea. I will keep a close watch and see if there is any honeybee activity... I have seen the bees on many flowers that the experts say they won't touch. You are not finding the clover to be invasive for you, hoodat?

 

[hoodat]

I start at one corner and cut what I need for that days rabbit feed. By the time I get to the opposite corner the first cutting is ready to cut again. When it slows down new growth I turn it under as green manure. I plant nitrogen hungry crops there the next year.
If the growing gets ahead of me I cut it and dry it as hay.