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Re: cinderblock inspiration

Doreen--

I planted some sets  my sister had given me (don't remember what they
were, just large Yellow onions) and they grew quite well. Only problem was
some of them were shaded too much from some melons I had growing in
the bed that kept creeping over them. I am going to train the melons next
year on my horizontal trellis.

Some of the onions completely filled the holes and started "squaring" a
little but they were OK.  

I had also put mint in some of the holes and they started taking over--
bushing out and sending runners into the ground. I had a real hard time
this fall removing them. I had to pull some of the blocks from my bed to
get rid of the root bound cluster in the center of the blocks.

There are 2 different size blocks at Home Depot where I bought mine. One of
them has 5 1/4" X 4 3/4" holes  and the other has 6 1/4" X 3 1/2" holes.  I
use the former for onions and Garlic, as I have some beds with the narrow
blocks and some with the fat ones.  The Garlic I planted in November in the
blocks was coming up real nice this winter (5" high),  until neighbors
rabbits got in and chewed them down to 1".  I am about ready to have rabbit
stew.

I think the dark slate looks nice and believe it does absorb more heat to
keep the beds warmer but have no proof. I paint the tops of the blocks too.
I think I may get some unpainted blocks, make a small bed with them and
then compare temperatures over several hours during the day to see if there
is any difference at all. Will check soil in center of holes and in the
beds 6" or so from the blocks, and report back this summer to let all know
if it does any good or harm.

----------
> From: Doreen Howard <doreen@tgn.net>
> To: sqft@lists.umsl.edu
> Subject: Re: cinderblock inspiration
> Date: Wednesday, January 28, 1998 10:31 AM
> 
> John wrote:
> >I painted my Cinder blocks with a slate colored paint to help absorb
heat
> >and improve the looks.  Works pretty well I think.
> >
> >  I have planted  Peas, Onions and Strawberries in the holes. Sister
also
> >has had good luck with herbs.
> 
> Tell us about the onions.  Did you plant one set to a hole or were they
> bunching onions?  Did they bulb faster or slower?  I read somewhere that
> onions like cool ground in which to bulb and warm air for green tops.  Or
do
> I have it backwards?  Also, did you happen to make a comparsion with the
> unpainted cinder block and the painted ones?  The blocks are already grey
> and absorbs lots of heat.  Plus, the concrete is rough, with many pits
and
> pockets to store heat.  I'd think painting the blocks would create a flat
> surface that may reflect more heat on to plants during the day, but the
flat
> surface wouldn't have as much stored heat to release at night.  Just a
> thought.  Please tell us more.
> Doreen Howard
> 
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