Gardening for Old Folks (Adaptative)

[rjohns39]

I would love to have a living/breathing mushroom and wild edible foraging mentor.

X2 And I'm following the thread R2 posted. I love Morels, but haven't figured out how to grow them. Hoping to find some on the north side of my property, so I can better understand what they like.

 

[R2elk]

X2 And I'm following the thread R2 posted. I love Morels, but haven't figured out how to grow them. Hoping to find some on the north side of my property, so I can better understand what they like.

http://www.gmushrooms.com/

 

[N F C]

Morels are the best!

 

[R2elk]

Morels are the best!

I haven't had any morels but can say that the oyster mushrooms and shaggy manes that I found here at home were awesome.

 

[lazy gardener]

@Minky, glad you're back. Congrats to you on your new land! What a joy. I only have 4 acres.

A lot of your gardening choices will be determined by your soil structure. You really DON'T need raised beds IF you have good soil, and good drainage. For the longest time, raised beds were ALL THE RAGE. But, just b/c someone decided that's the way it should be done, that does not mean that's the way YOU should do it. You need to make your gardening decisions based on your soil, environment, micro climate, available space, and crop choices.

By far the most important thing is to choose an area that gets good sun (at least 6 hours/day) and does not have root encroachment from near by trees. Roots will spread almost as far as some trees can cast their summer shade! An other important consideration is access to water.

I will say that, for me, gardening under deep mulch has been my chosen method for at least 30 years. Recently, I found Back to Eden gardening, and am working towards converting my entire garden to BTE style. I may choose to do a raised bed here or there if growing root crops.

Suggested reading materials for you: Any thing Ruth Stout. Do you have cold winters? If so, Elliot Coleman. Paul G??? has some wonderful videos on the Back to Eden gardening method. Patricia Lanza covers Lasagna Gardening well.

Then, there is Hugel Kulture, square foot gardening, hay and straw bale gardening, sheet composting, vermicomposting.

As for raised bed gardening, you don't even need a wood frame to contain your raised bed. Simply pile the soil up, layer it in the lasagna style if that is your chosen method, and cover the sloped sides with cardboard, newspaper, flakes of hay.

No one style should comprise your entire gardening method, but you can pick and choose to make your land work for you.

 

[N F C]

I haven't had any morels but can say that the oyster mushrooms and shaggy manes that I found here at home were awesome.

Are those the mushrooms you found on your property Bob?

My former FIL used to go morel hunting every year and always brought back big bags to share. He kept his favorite spots a deep secret though so when he passed, that was the end of the morels

 

[Neebiechix]

Also following. Thanks for all your input.

 

[R2elk]

Are those the mushrooms you found on your property Bob?

My former FIL used to go morel hunting every year and always brought back big bags to share. He kept his favorite spots a deep secret though so when he passed, that was the end of the morels

Yes they were. The oyster mushrooms were growing on the dead elm trees and the shaggy manes grow in the guinea pen. There are also lots of inky cap mushrooms growing with the shaggy manes but most of those are the alcohol inky caps which you don't want to eat if you have a had an alcohol containing drink within several days either before or after having those mushrooms.

 

[N F C]

Also following. Thanks for all your input.

Hi, it's nice to see you here! Tell us about your gardening (or plans for gardening)

 

[Minky]

Hey everyone thanks for all the input and ideas.
I dont have any physical limitations, so I'm a bit on the fence about raised beds in the first place. I thought it would look nice, create some landscape structure, keep weeds away, be easier to weed and heat up the soil better, but there really is no need for it I guess. Looks like I have lots of reading to do first! The previous owners have picked a good spot for the veggie garden, although they grew a lot of things I wouldn't be interested in and there are a tons of weeds and long grass in it now. I guess when they decided to sell they let it go. It is full sun and there are no trees within 40 feet. Its close to the house and water supply. Yes, lots of snow this year, and lots of temps below -20 C....
I am so excited about berries, grapes, flowers, herbs, trees, veggies.... I'm always late for everything- but this past fall I remembered to get the garlic in, and I spread 2 giant tubes of wildflowers down the sides of the driveway.... hope some will grow!!!!

Now I need to add Morel hunting and cultivating to my to do list!!