Garden thread

[Melodychick]

@rosemarythyme & @Melodychick - I noticed that you both have raised garden beds. I was wondering if that makes a difference? My garden is in the ground with a fence around it. No box. Thanks!

I’ve always planted in the ground too and had some success. The only reason I have raised beds now is this location has a lot of heavy clay so I needed to improve the drainage. My biggest problem now is the insects!

 

[cluckmecoop7]

I’ve always planted in the ground too and had some success. The only reason I have raised beds now is this location has a lot of heavy clay so I needed to improve the drainage. My biggest problem now is the insects!

Ohhh, makes sense. I understand. But what about you, @rosemarythyme? Why is yours raised?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ohhh, makes sense. I understand. But what about you, @rosemarythyme? Why is yours raised?

Multiple reasons:
1) Less bending over, which is good when you have a bad back (you still need to bend over, just don't have to get down on ground level).
2) Keeps wild rabbits OUT. I still have coons that steal tomatoes but we have a ton of rabbits that would decimate everything if it was on ground level, since I never fenced the area in.
3) Helps me control the soil, everything from improving drainage (the area my veggies are in is boggy, so this is necessary to allow for drainage) and for controlling the soil quality. I learned my lesson - soil matters! - and bought a bulk shipment of an expensive, locally made organic soil mix. I also have compost bins on the side (yay chicken poop) so I can naturally augment the soil over time without fertilizers. Guess it works because my mother-in-law, an avid gardener, kept commenting that my plants matured faster than hers and were 2-3x bigger than her plants of the exact same type and age.
4) I like the look of raised beds. Even though my set up is a little homemade (me and a hoe got it done) it still looks tidier to me than if it was all ground level.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Makes sense. Thanks!

Another Q: When is a good time to start planting?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Another Q: When is a good time to start planting?

It not only depends on your zone and weather reports but also the exact plants you're growing.

I plan on seeding tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and basil indoors this week (I have a grow light).

I'll start seeding peas and radish outdoors in February, assuming there's no snow/freeze.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Wow! That's super early for me! I usually plant in late May!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I also have raised beds but only about 6". For me it's a drainage thing, but also it helps with disease control. Having the soil between your beds separated means that you can rotate your plants to help prevent disease and pests.

When to plant; Here's a USDA hardiness zone map;
https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

Most seed packets have a note on them "Plant outdoors X weeks before/after average frost date" or "start indoors 8 weeks before last average frost" or "plant outside after all risk of frost". These are all different times of year. Some plants get started indoors as early as 10-12 weeks before the last average frost date which puts them in february for me. Others say "direct sow after all risk of frost has passed", which has them go into the ground on may 1st. Some plants go into the ground in october/november and overwinter like lavender or garlic. What you're growing makes a BIG difference in when you plant it.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Ohhh, thanks! That is great info!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Wow! That's super early for me! I usually plant in late May!

My growing season is roughly March through Sept. Some plants really prefer colder weather so I try to get those seeded as soon as snow's out of the forecast and the ground stops freezing. Then by May or so I start up summer seeds and transfer the indoor plants out. Around late Sept early Oct temps take a nosedive so most of the stuff gets cleared out. I keep a few plants through winter - kale for example, even frozen solid it's still edible, and carrots can keep in the ground as long as it doesn't completely freeze all the way through.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Multiple reasons:
1) Less bending over, which is good when you have a bad back (you still need to bend over, just don't have to get down on ground level).
2) Keeps wild rabbits OUT. I still have coons that steal tomatoes but we have a ton of rabbits that would decimate everything if it was on ground level, since I never fenced the area in.
3) Helps me control the soil, everything from improving drainage (the area my veggies are in is boggy, so this is necessary to allow for drainage) and for controlling the soil quality. I learned my lesson - soil matters! - and bought a bulk shipment of an expensive, locally made organic soil mix. I also have compost bins on the side (yay chicken poop) so I can naturally augment the soil over time without fertilizers. Guess it works because my mother-in-law, an avid gardener, kept commenting that my plants matured faster than hers and were 2-3x bigger than her plants of the exact same type and age.
4) I like the look of raised beds. Even though my set up is a little homemade (me and a hoe got it done) it still looks tidier to me than if it was all ground level.

YES to all of these.

My soil is hard clay....very hard clay that is prone to splitting like the grand canyon.