I do n’t think we ’ve ever been as excited for a garden time of year as Mary and I are for this summer ’s version . Not only is it our chance to make and finally move to the farm full - fourth dimension – but also the yr we get to judge out 2 great garden experiments to grow vegetable !
Each year , we love to strain out a few fresh growing method acting in the garden . For us , it ’s a fashion to always be learning and grow as a nurseryman – and to have a little fun while doing it . Those experimentation have also lead to a couple of unbelievable method acting we still use today , like the Stake a Cage tomato plant and white pepper support , and the Potato Crates for easily growing our potatoes . See : The DIY Stake - A - CageandGrowing Potatoes Easily in Homemade Crates .
This class , our 2 big experimentation are alone focussed on simplifying the overall gardening process – from less upkeep , few weeds , and less metre necessitate to maintain .
Hopefully , it will show ever more clearly that gardening does n’t have to take up all of your gratuitous time , nor does it have to break your back or your wallet !
More significantly – we trust it conveys the message that horticulture can and should be fun , rewarding , and lead to a much healthier and simple lifestyle . So with that said – here they are !
2 Big Garden Experiments For 2016
The No Till – No Touch – No Work – Raised Garden Row
Our raised growing rows have been nothing curt of a miracle – leave us to uprise three - fourth of our family ’s nutrient in a simple , gloomy maintenance , sustainable and constitutional way.(See : resurrect course Gardening Basics)Well , we are about to see if we can make it even easier !
Two concerns that are sometimes raised about the raised course method are : ( 1 ) , it can be hard to turn over the cover crop each springtime ; and ( 2 ) , weeding the growing rows in can still be fourth dimension - ingest . That is where the garden experimentation amount in !
extend crops really are the backbone of an constituent and self - substantiate garden . They keep out weeds through the winter , and refill the soil with nutrients each spring . But for many – they can be hard to turn back over . So this year – we ’re become to eliminate turning them over completely !
We will be plant our entire Lycopersicon esculentum and pepper crop without ever turning over the annual rye rowing sown last gloaming . cover version crop like yearly rye pall off after the 2ndor 3rdcutting each fountain – so this year – we mulch in the cuttings – and left the soil undisturbed . We will simply expend our post hollow shovel method acting to poke holes out of the Secale cereale , and plant , still mulching like normal with compost and shuck on top .
First , the yearly rye that has died off will be an incredible barrier against sess seeds blow in to any open soil . In plus – over the course of the summer – the rye will continue to decompose under the mulch . By late fall , it should be extremely easy to rake the rows , add a tiptop thin level of compost to the top , and implant another cover harvest to repeat the process .
I really do n’t think you may beat it – it still builds great nutrients into the soil and saves rafts of time by decimate smoke even better .
So far this year , to prepare the rows for those crops , we have spent a grand total of 45 minutes of overall maintenance . 3 time we have cut down off the grass in the rows at about 5 minute each ( 15 minutes total ) ; and it take about 30 second to drive in all of the Stake a - Cages . I figure with the post hollow excavator and planting it will take another 30 instant . The heavy coat of bark mulch in the walking rows has completely eliminated weeds there ( another experiment from a few years back ) , so we get to concentrate on simply plant . We will keep you updated on this one !
Any Age/ Anywhere Growing Containers
Our 2nd experiment is just as exciting for us , and we think it will be the answer for those that may not have the space or power for the raised row method acting .
We have phone the Any Age , Anywhere Garden , and as the name incriminate , it is a way for anyone , of any age , live almost anywhere , to grow their own veg . See : Creating An Any Age Container Garden
As much as we utter about the beauty , simplicity and rest of put up row horticulture – we realize that for some it is impossible to implement . There are many that are limited by little yards , or may only have terrace or open rooftop areas as their only means of a grow space . There are also some who may have physical limitations that makes the invoke course method more difficult . That is where the Any Age Anywhere Garden comes in to act .
It is simply DIY container gardening accept to a new level – and can be done nearly for free !
We trialed a version of it last twelvemonth when we built wooden skeleton with rubbish baseball bat – make them so that they accommodate easily over 5 Imperial gallon bucket or nursery containers . We then attached a 4 ’ high x 16 ” wide conducting wire frame to the inside of the wooden frame for a built - in , gravid - duty trellis . The bucketful provided more than enough elbow room to establish a cryptical and complete rootage system – and the cover not only made the planter attractive , but helped to isolate the flora ’s pedestal from harsh winds and help to maintain water . It also made harvest a breeze .
They can be arrange up anywhere , and can grow nearly any vegetable – but best of all – it all but eliminate weeding and ground pests like bullet . It also stopped potential damage from voles , moles and coney – a problem many of you save to us about each class ! And with its compact space – it even made it gentle to protect from racoon and cervid . This year , we built 16 social unit to try a sodding mini garden and see how much we can arise in them ! The entire curing up would easily fit in a 16 x 16 space – perfect for those with minuscule spaces to still grow their own vegetables !
So here ’s to trying newfangled things ! No matter what – at the very least it is always fun to essay . If you have n’t had a prospect yet – lead over to Amazon and gibe out our bookGrowing Simple .
A huge Thank You to everyone for all of the support with the Holy Scripture , let in the inspection , orders and share with ally . It is now on it ’s 7th consecutive 24-hour interval at # 1 on the Amazon Hot New Release list for Gardening / Sustainability … give thanks You So Much !
Happy Gardening – Jim and Mary !
