I Thought I had Lost an Entire Crop

[@garden_geek]

You explain your ideas SO well! I really enjoy your essay style videos. Thank you for sharing!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. Glad you appreciate the essay style that I have been using.

[@Mattle_lutra]

@@REDGardens Do you write a script or bullet points? c:

[@REDGardens]

@@Mattle_lutra I write a script.

[@RobertMCroft]

I love the way you embrace not knowing it all and enjoy the process of being a perpetual student. That is one of the main reason I watch all your videos.

[@REDGardens]

That is great to hear. I love learning.

[@ashleyhavoc1940]

Unable to share, so liked and comment for algorithm....

[@REDGardens]

Thanks - it all helps!

[@Mopsie]

It’s good content, so the algorithm will eventual grab on to it

[@KickRox710]

I absolutely love your videos. You explain everything very well and you think of everything very logically and you are not afraid to admit that you have made mistakes while working. Furthermore, you make sure to address these mistakes and think of logical solutions to them. Amazing!

[@REDGardens]

Thanks! I'm really glad that people like you value the approach I have taken. Sometimes it is hard to admit to those mistakes, but it helps to know that people appreciate it when I do.

[@masonkoller8962]

I’m 15 and therefore have very little to give you funds-wise, but I will like and comment and make you as valuable to KZbin as I can. Sorry that’s the extent of it

[@REDGardens]

Hey, thanks for doing all that you have, and for even considering doing more! I figure if even 1% of the viewers of my channel contributed via Patreon/PayPal, I’d be sorted.

[@skunkebud8]

Love your videos. Always so calming, I don't mean to make light of your struggles though friend! Thank you

[@REDGardens]

Hey, thanks!

[@eddiejohnson7419]

Love this guy...

[@REDGardens]

:-)

[@mrJMD]

That must have been a relief to see the plants bounce back like that, and I appreciate that it must have taken some courage to let the plants continue and see if they would fight through it. Very interesting, and man that spinach looks delicious! Thanks!

[@REDGardens]

It was a relief, and the spinach was delicious! I am am trying to see that failure can also be a good learning possibility, though would much rather not have had the issue in the first place. One thing that I didn't talk about in my video is that if I had used the recommended baking soda solution, I would likely have been convinced that it saved the spinach, which would have been wrong in this instance.

[@pansepot1490]

RED Gardens, you could have applied the solution on half of the patch. The first rule when making tests is to have a control so that you can know if what you did had an effect or not. Think about it since you are so fond of experimenting.

[@REDGardens]

Yes, a control is important, and I didn't do that with the seaweed liquid feed that I had added.

[@ctwofirst6635]

I have to admit that I would have yanked them out. I'm glad you showed the cost of doing that.

[@PabloRGNRNDO]

Have use " Glass Water " 🛡 ? ( Agua de Vidrio ) Silica . Cal. Mag + trace 💪🏼🌱 5g wood ash 5g construction lime 1 liter water Mix Next day can use as foliar .... Very cheap 🌞🤠🌱 can be made from 1 to 1000 liters 😊✌ It is a foliar preventive lower the ph avoiding fungi and silica cal and mag make stem strength and resistance in the leaf wall against sucking insects Y like very much your videos ✌🏼thks

[@PabloRGNRNDO]

can be made from 1 to 1000 liters 😊✌ It is a foliar preventive lower the ph avoiding fungi and silica cal and mag make stem strength and resistance in the leaf wall against sucking insects Y like very much your videos ✌🏼thks

[@REDGardens]

Thanks for the info.

[@TheNexusInfo]

One of the best channels out there that has some really good facts and information. Wish more people saw your work.

[@fxm5715]

I'm facing a similar situation with my potato crop this year after some over-zealous watering early on. I'm going to try to keep them going with some careful pruning and a mild anti-fungal treatment. I figure even if they completely fail, I'll have learned something valuable along the way. As always, thank you, Bruce, for your careful exploration and detailed sharing.

[@REDGardens]

Failure always has some valuable learning in it, but only if we keep going and trying again. Hope it works for you.

[@raa6504]

My tomatoes are ripening in the greenhouse ♥️ the inspiration from you is invaluable. Planting crops at the right time is a big factor, therefore, this year my potatoes are the biggest they have ever been in this garden, I just anted them at the right time.

[@REDGardens]

Getting the timing right is such a big part of success in the garden. I got a few things right this year, but other things have been less successful - always more learning to do. Thanks!

[@olivefarmer3491]

Thank you for your detailed and worthy teaching.

[@REDGardens]

You are welcome. Glad you appreciate the work I do.

[@Gracioly]

I love the way you think and analyse. Good job fella

[@REDGardens]

Thanks.

[@Bigelowbrook]

I usually get powdery mildew on my greenhouse tomato plants. The baking soda method usually stops it, but the leaf damage is done so that section of the plant usually wont recover. Increasing the air flow also helps a lot so you're on the right track!

[@REDGardens]

Interesting to hear about he baking soda trick working for you, or at least stopping the spread.

[@Bigelowbrook]

@@REDGardens Here's a video I did a few years ago. Still using the same process today! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIPOnKR7gN2Wl7c

[@wildlifewalkswithcountryge749]

Glad your gamble paid off Bruce, but I'm also thinking your extensive knowledge and hard work gets the credit. Enjoy your harvest, you've earned it👍

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@jessicaz5512]

These are my go to videos for when I’m at the gym

[@REDGardens]

Cool!

[@chrisfryer3118]

I use in field irrigation, lines are better imho. Widecast irrigation waters weeds too, and is a bit of a waste. I use soakhose, quicker as its direct to plant, and encourages less weeds. Hand weeding essential around the line through. Also tailor water input to specific line. Say tomatoes want more, and garlic none, at this time of year. I line irrigate now as I find it less time consuming too.

[@REDGardens]

I use the drip line irrigation in my other tunnel, and it definitely helps to be able to focus the watering on the plants that need it. I felt that the sprinkler system worked well in this tunnel for the spring crops, as they tend to be smaller plants with more of a carpet sowing, rather than larger plants with bigger roots. It also helped to cool quickly the tunnel on a few days that it got warm enough to stress the cool season plants. Now that I am shifting to the warm season crops, I think I'll also add drip line, and have parallel systems.

[@Dwamak]

An interesting approach, I noted that and thanks for broaden my sight.

[@REDGardens]

Cool!. Thanks!

[@juliereis146]

Thank you for sharing, that is still an impressive crop of spinach! It’s all very curious as to what may have caused the mold but I tend to agree with you that we shouldn’t jump to assumptions or conclusions about what we have little full or no real knowledge of. Again thank you for sharing.

[@REDGardens]

It is hard to resist jumping to conclusions. A resistant variety became infected and then the infection stopped, or didn't go through another cycle to produce spores, so it seems to indicate that something changed. I think it was either the weather or the health of the crop, but I still don't really know, and may never really know.

[@aenorist2431]

This is a comment, i am thoroughly engaged Mr. Algorithm.

[@REDGardens]

Lol - perfect! Thanks!

[@nirmal6362]

Thanks for the Videos of very useful information through Straight forward explanations.

[@REDGardens]

:)

[@oakpoacher433]

Great info. I didnt know if I liked your videos at first.....but you definitely grew on me. You got one more sub.🌲😁

[@REDGardens]

Thanks. Glad you came around to liking my videos.

[@Cyssane]

Wow, I'm so impressed that your crop bounced back! We've had downy mildew several times over the years in our veggie garden (and occasionally in the flower gardens), and I don't think we've ever had a crop bounce back like that. Sometimes we can save a few select plants, but usually the entire batch just fails. Mind you, this usually happens during the latter half of the growing season here in Montréal, where temps can get up to 30C (or higher) with humidity over 80%, so that might have a lot to do with it. (As someone originally from southern Ontario, I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.) I know well that correlation doesn't equal causation, and you're quite right to point that out. However, I'm also tempted to try some liquid seaweed next time, just in case! ;)

[@REDGardens]

I know exactly the type of weather you are talking about! We never get that type of weather over here, though perhaps in the polytunnel. If you are going to try liquid seaweed, perhaps try it on only half of the bed, so that you have something to compare it to. I didn't do this, so have no idea what the impact was.

[@Cyssane]

@@REDGardens Yes, that's a very good idea. Fortunately right now we don't have downy mildew (too early in the season), but I'll keep it in mind!

[@wendysgarden4283]

excellent, as always. As for my own first attempt at spinach this spring? Bolted, twice. I can see I have a future of trying different varieties, for I do love eating spinach. Lettuce all around it is still happy and not throwing up flowers, not even with some 90F days. Perhaps the overwintered spinach under poly will work for me this year. It's a lifelong experiment for each of us, no?

[@REDGardens]

It can be a tough one with some plants, and spinach can be one of the hardest. i'm so glad I have been able to grow such great crops of it. Good luck with your explorations.

[@backritepaint]

I enjoy this content.

[@flowergrowersmith449]

Lots in vegetable gardening is a mystery - imperceptible shifts in the atmosphere and micro environment can really derail you. How come tomatoes do brilliantly one year and then terribly the very next? It's just the weirdest, most interesting thing ever. Great video!

[@REDGardens]

It is often a mystery, with so many interactions within the complex systems that the plants exist within.

[@buffalopatriot]

Excellent video(s) sir.

[@REDGardens]

Thanks.

[@jjmasterj]

Very nice video as usual! Speaking for myself but I particularly enjoyed a recent one where you discussed seed choice and options for small farms! Thanks :)

[@REDGardens]

Thanks!

[@andyobrien3612]

Trying spinach for the 1st time this year. Will keep an eye out for this and this potential fix.

[@REDGardens]

Good luck!

[@chanoone7812]

Em1 and horsetail is the best I've seen for this plus the horsetail contrails a lot of silica

[@REDGardens]

interesting.

[@scottcomella2264]

Perhaps you can add seaweed solution to the over head watering system and get the results you are looking for.

[@REDGardens]

It would be an interesting next step to add fertility to the watering system.

[@edwardleroy7648]

You provide an open door to a different approach. Just looking at bio char and it looks like a good potential pairing..

[@REDGardens]

Biochar could help.

[@CaptainManic2010]

Love your videos. wonder if it's a similar problem to tomatoes outdoorse? in another video it was advised not get the leaves wet due to mildew and other diseases...but to instead make sure teh soil was damp so the roots could abosrb the moisture up to the leaves.

[@REDGardens]

It might be. I have heard that advice about tomatoes from many sources, but don't have any direct experience myself.

[@CaptainManic2010]

@@REDGardens love your detailed explanations and work. Thank you.

[@pansepot1490]

Hi, Bruce, interesting video as usual. I wanted to ask if you use the same variety of spinach for all your sowing. In the past I have grown spinach for the freezing industry, we had both spring and autumn crops and we used different varieties according to the season because, so we were told, some varieties are more resistant to bolting so they were more suitable for spring sowing. I just thought of mentioning it in case you didn’t know and it might interest you. Cheers!

[@REDGardens]

I haven't explored the possibilities of different varieties yet, and have tended to only use one or two, but doubt they are the best ones for the situation. I hope to be able to do proper variety trials in the next few seasons.

[@mrcockslut6719]

The initial harvest would have improved airflow too which combats mildews

[@REDGardens]

True.

[@emanuelporic]

What do you do with all of that spinach? Do you froze it or is there some other way to save it for later? o.O

[@REDGardens]

We eat a lot, freeze a lot, and I also sell a lot to neighbours through an honesty veg stand/fridge that I have set up.

[@tomtomscott]

Thanks for the video! When you began harvesting, did you harvest a little from each plant over the entire bed with each pass or did you start in one corner and move out from there? If it was the former, possibly the removal of the affected leaves was enough to reduce the levels of mildew below the critical mass required to spread rapidly. On another tangentially related point (if you have a video that explains this please feel free to point me in that direction!), how much work do you do, or have to do, to ensure that as much of the food you grow and harvest gets eaten. If any food does get wasted, do you see this as inconsequential as it will just get composted and fed to next year's plants or does the in-built wasted labour and cost pain you?

[@REDGardens]

I did bot methods, removing some leaves from each plant as well as removing most of the leaves fro the plants in one section. So I don't think I reduced the affected leaves enough to not be an issue. Good question about the food waste - or making sure that the food gets eaten. I get rid of (aka sell) my surplus vegetables to my neighbours through an honesty system, with a fridge in my back garden, and thankfully I am in a neighbourhood where I can't grow enough satisfy the demand -of most crops. Sometimes I produce a lot of what people don't like/want, and I don't worry about it too much. When I had hens, I wood feed them whatever was leftover, and got eggs out of it, or it all went into the compost for next year's food. Now that I use a fridge (not plugged in but kept cool with daily frozen water packs) there is a lot less wilting and spoiling of the veg, so a lot less waste and I no longer feel that the labour or food is wasted.

[@damien884]

I’m looking at messing with a closed hydroponic system, and spinach, being so nutritional, as one I want to make work. Your breakdown (approach) of your practical experimentation is helpful as a template. Thanks. What’s your attitude towards automation in your plots after you’ve confirmed a best practice?

[@REDGardens]

Automation is an interesting idea, but I haven't done a lot of research about it. I think I would want a few more generations of technology to develop before I started to engage. At the moment I get the sense that there are not a lot of people out there who are both highly skilled/experienced in growing food and also eager to explore the automation world. I know a few people who are very keen about automation, but don't have a lot of growing experience to work from. And most of the people I know who have experience growing aren't interested in the higher tech end of automation (apart from a few simple systems such as watering and ventilation). I think this gap needs to be filled before any real progress in this area can be made.

[@damien884]

RED Gardens agreed and thanks for the response. A definite catch 22 in the growing world. I tend to be motivated by the benefit of time saved by for example composting and watering regimes and such. Nothing as complicated as nutrient levels, because some more experimentation is still needed.

[@BESHYSBEES]

I’ve had similar problems with my greenhouse, don’t think it was downy though once it sets in it kills pretty fast unless you use an anti fungal spray routine depending on the type of crop, my green house has a height of 3.7m and on sunny days if it’s closed up it turns into an oven, Get your self a digital thermometer that keeps a daily min/max temp readings any thing over 40c in there can be doing damage, I think 🤔 possibly that it’s had a hot spell and being dry caused some leaf droop causing necrosis where the leaf folded(maybe). You should bag some affected leaves and send to a lab to be sure, the spores from powdery and downy can live dormant in that soil for many years reinfecting at will, we get downy and powdery nearly every year its a bastard and can be detrimental to a cropping area

[@REDGardens]

Heat stress is also a possible factor, but I'd have to look back at the records. I don't remember it being too hot at any one period, but perhaps I wasn't as quick to open the doors one morning. Thankfully we don't have too much of an issue with mildew around here, but hopefully it won't develop.

[@javiersosa3368]

Bonjour Bruce, good video, are the infected leaves edible? I mean, the mildiu can kill the plant but probably it's harmless for humans.

[@REDGardens]

i don't know. I didn't feel like eating them.

[@aquamarine23456]

I'm planning on making my own sort of green house in the near future. Do you have any tips and/or ideas to make sure it succeeds?

[@REDGardens]

I probably have loads of tips. I guess the biggest one is to work the soil into as good a shape as you can, with the best fertility, so that you can make the most of this high value growing space.

[@aquamarine23456]

@@REDGardens it's a really good thing to remember. I'm probably asking for too much. But would it be possible for you to do a video giving at least a quick run down of things to do/keep in mind?

[@REDGardens]

Whangam I think that could make a good video.

[@MATFarm22]

Yeah... 70% of my wheat just laid down because of wet wheat and strong wind... I just hope it will grow up. Anyways good video!

[@REDGardens]

Ah, that is a shame. Hope it recovers for you.

[@sawfather06]

Great vid.my problem is with onions they keep going to seed and they don't grow big after that any ideas

[@REDGardens]

That is a shame. I have had that happen to red onions that I planted from sets, but generally most of mine don't go to seed, so not sure I have any experience to share.

[@What..a..shambles]

Perhaps a mares tail preventive tea spray next year?

[@REDGardens]

I tend to stay away form the speciality sprays and methods, though I don't know that one.

[@What..a..shambles]

I use it for botrytis protection on strawberry and other plants, if you have to pull it out you might aswell be using it is my thoughts, I have drank it myself along with herb Robert for the back pain of the bog

[@16dhampton]

I really love your videos and appreciate all the work that is put into them. I do, however, find myself unable to watch them unless at my computer or with headphones on. The audio is just too quiet for me to listen through my phone's speakers unless it's completely quiet around me. That's my only criticism. I'm sure I'm not the only one that experiences it so hopefully addressing it brings up your views and retention. Keep up the good work!

[@REDGardens]

Ok, thanks for that feedback. I hadn't know that was an issue. I'll have to look into that.

[@johndev72]

I wonder if alginic acid contained in sea weed was the actual component that did the job !!??. I am seriously thinking about getting sea weed but an edible type such as from Carraig Fhada (havent looked up the exact business name spelling). My idea is to reconstitute the dried sea weed in water and then use a blender to liquidise it, filter it and spray it. Plus eat some of it too. Dulse, Dillisk or Carageenan...but which one or all three ?? :-)

[@REDGardens]

It wood be very in interesting to find out if that was the case. i have heard great things about the possible benefits of seaweed, in addition to adding trace minerals.

[@johndev72]

@@REDGardens Kelp powder is also an option that I am thinking about but I did try it on and in some food a couple of Times and it wasnt to my liking but the other types above, I really did like when I could get them. Still, kelp powder might be more feasible where I am these days.

[@REDGardens]

@@johndev72 I have been using kelp powder in my gardens for a number of years, and more recently started using a liquid version of it.

[@markprobert7177]

Do you grow variety of spinach or grow the one that you favour most?

[@REDGardens]

I kind of picked a variety of spinach from the supplier at random and tend to just grow the one, as it seemed to work well. I really should try a range of varieties to explore which ones are better, and which ones I find tastier.

[@danielallouche2493]

Have you tested the PH of the soil?

[@REDGardens]

I get detailed soil tests of this garden every so often. The pH is usually around 7.5.

[@DovidM]

RED Gardens The recommended range I’ve seen is 6.5 to 7.0.

[@REDGardens]

@@DovidM That is the typical recommended range, though generally for people trying to deal with naturally acidic soils. With the calcareous (high lime) soils I have, getting the pH down below 7.0 would apparently take a lot of fairly destructive sulphur, and a number of years. Not sure if it is worth it, as I am growing some really good food with the high pH.

[@mhkoo1]

You mentioned *dry soil* and *mineral deficiencies* as possible causes. I see this as *one* probable cause since the small, medium and large nematodes eat bacteria and produce minerals in water-soluable (plant available) form. Since nematodes don't like dry soil ... there were no minerals. I hope I do not offend you by asking if you also check the soil humidity under the surface soil.

[@REDGardens]

I don't check the soil moisture under the surface enough, and one of the reasons I have had problems in the past. While the nematodes are probably an issue as you suggest, with the calcareous soil there seems to be a strong chemical or physical change, with some elements being 'locked up' in chemical bonds as the soil dries.

[@Chris-op7yt]

leaves look very soft. lacking potassium?

[@REDGardens]

Hmm, not sure. I think those leaves are from later in the crop life, and I have noticed that the thickness and texture does change as the plants get older. I always assumed that was a natural part of the lifecycle of the plant, but perhaps not.

[@Chris-op7yt]

RED Gardens : i'm surprised that such a hardy crop became so weak from some water/heat stress this way. here if grown in summer heat, it just bolts to seed.

[@duartemarco]

Interesting

[@beojack4592]

Algorithm spirits be appeased.

[@REDGardens]

Yay

[@karoma7898]

I don't like this method of cultivating "greens" (that's what we call leafy products) ... Too labor intensive, so it drives the price high, add to that the fact the farmer touches **every leaf he picks**, it reduces shelf life and is a pain to clean (i love farmers, but I don't know what nasty things they touched before picking those leaves). Besides for cooking, big leaves are good, but for salads they're too harsh on the pallet and smaller leaves are more delicious.

[@REDGardens]

Not sure about other growers, but I always wash my hands before harvesting.

[@danielallouche2493]

Or it was all of the above

[@REDGardens]

Possibly.

[@bg3841]

Plaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaants

[@noonespecial9233]

Two slugs disliked this video

[@REDGardens]

Lol

[@davidelodovichetti4738]

You probabilly know this already, but it's possible that the crop lacked iron since you said that your soil is rich in calcium, which can bind to iron ions in the soil, making it impossible for the plants to absorb them. This is usually only a problem if calcium concentration is higher than 12% tho, so take that with a pinch of salt. Hope this was helpful, have a nice day :)

[@REDGardens]

I hadn't though of iron. Soil tests show a good availability of Iron, despite the high calcium, thought could be one of the minerals that becomes less available when the soil dries out.