Back to Eden Gardening and Hugelkulture and other non-conventional garden methods

[lazy gardener]

I know this isn't a reply for me but I have another question...is the cardboard simply a mulch layer to keep everything moist until the carrots sprout? I would guess that you get better germination rates and water less too.

Yes, the cardboard keeps things evenly moist, and I'm not sure, but it seems that the carrots sprout better if the light is excluded. It also suppresses weed seed germination. some seeds germinate better with light, and some do better with dark. Not sure if that's the case here, but it seems to work well.

 

[igorsMistress]

Thanks much. I am going to try it when I plant carrots in fall. I am also going to try it when I plant grass in fall too and see how it goes.

 

[lazy gardener]

You could use just about anything to cover it with, as long as it is not plastic. (might hold too much heat) One resourceful gardener on BYC uses old carpet. He grows fantastic carrots. That would be great for a small bed. You could cover the carrots to get them up and running, and then lay it in the path way to deter weeds. I prefer the cardboard b/c it becomes "one with the soil" and actually acts as an amendment.

 

[igorsMistress]

I think I will stick with cardboard, there's plenty around here.

 

[chickadoodles]

Update on my Hybrid garden. Tomatoes age getting bigger, picking squash and cuc's every day or two.

 

[lazy gardener]

I know this isn't a reply for me but I have another question...is the cardboard simply a mulch layer to keep everything moist until the carrots sprout? I would guess that you get better germination rates and water less too.

Part of the cardboard for me is that it eliminates weeds.

Holds moisture, improves germination, requires less water, and eliminates weeds while the carrot seeds sprout. Win x 4.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Thought I'd post some garden photos.


When we first started this little garden it was just grass yard. We removed the sod in 2013, planted, then put cardboard on top of everything. I think it was 2014 when we dug some of the deep litter from the chicken run we were using and put on top of the cardboard that year. We've continued to plant then place cardboard every year. We have not had to till or weed EVER.

Last year we had 2 brush goats and we put most of the soiled litter on the garden at the end of the season.


This is the garden area this spring. I let the chickens in before season and in the fall after season to enjoy the bountiful worms. I set up the temporary tarp as a hawk deterrent so they feel more comfortable going out there under wide open skies. This is the first year I used the tarp and I'll continue to do that every year as it really encouraged them to go out there. Also have the dog house (we got for $5 on the side of the road) and plastic deck foot stools for them to get under if needed.

Now planted. You can see the cardboard then we put some wood chips on top this year since we have them thanks to the local tree service that is careful to only bring non-poisonous chips and chips that aren't from sprayed yards only. We bring the wood chips over wheel-barrow loads at a time. Probably will bring more over as we go.

Here is a new planting along the deck. These are some black currants that some friends gave us from starts off theirs. More chips coming soon. Also some mint covering the ground.

Back of the deck. Green peppers planted here then wood chips.

Other side of the back of the deck. Zucchini plants here. They make some really nice landscape plants!

The pretty side of the deck. Lavender, echinacea, butterfly bush, mint, daylilly, etc.

 

[lazy gardener]

Absolutely delightful! I'm impressed.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have also put lots of aerial barriers throughout my yard. The back yard looks like a junk yard: Wheel barrows, fence posts, tomato cages, fencing and tarps hung horizontally, 2 chicken tractors, tree branches, sections of cattle panels leaning up against other surfaces. All in an effort to deter the hawks that are calling from the trees around my yard, and doing fly overs all day long every day. I am not keeping the flock in the run... for now. I would also like to string up some CD's on fish line over that section of the yard.

 

[Leahs Mom]

I broke down a couple seasons ago and purchased bird bangers which I use anytime I see a hawk. Purpose is to make them afraid of the area and recommended by DNR. I've definitely seen a difference since using them. I was going to try to hide so the hawks wouldn't associate the bang with a person being present - to make them afraid of the area not the person. But there just wasn't really anywhere to hide.



Anyway, here they are in case anyone wants to look into them.

Double Shot Launcher https://reedjoseph.com/products/pyrotechnics/pyrotechnic-launchers/double-shot-launcher/

https://reedjoseph.com/products/pyrotechnics/

You can also get screamers that fit the launchers OR a different banger that is used in a shotgun if so inclined.