Green thumb is itching, anyone else?

[canesisters]

Err, I'm going to have to do some more checking. I don't remember anything about packing it with wood.
I did see where they would slope it from very high in the middle (water reservoir in the center) to much lower around the outside - but still raised. I wasn't considering it for the water conservation properties but more for the more ease of hand working it. I read where they are supposed to be easier to work because you're not trying to keep long rows clear of weeds and you can group things denser.

Right now I've got a 10' circle with the grass dug up and turned over. I'm going to add some old hay and some chicken poo/horse poo this weekend and then cover it with a tarp. I'll also have lots of oak leaves to add later, more hay, more poo - lol. Hoping to end up with a slightly raised bed of richer soil by spring.

 

[Kassaundra]

Err, I'm going to have to do some more checking. I don't remember anything about packing it with wood.
I did see where they would slope it from very high in the middle (water reservoir in the center) to much lower around the outside - but still raised. I wasn't considering it for the water conservation properties but more for the more ease of hand working it. I read where they are supposed to be easier to work because you're not trying to keep long rows clear of weeds and you can group things denser.

Right now I've got a 10' circle with the grass dug up and turned over. I'm going to add some old hay and some chicken poo/horse poo this weekend and then cover it with a tarp. I'll also have lots of oak leaves to add later, more hay, more poo - lol. Hoping to end up with a slightly raised bed of richer soil by spring.

We have been in record breaking drought for several years now so I was most drawn to this method b/c of water conservation.

 

[rancher hicks]

Kassaundra I would REALLY like to know more about your plans for the keyhole garden.
Several months ago I decided that I wanted to try veggi gardening again (last time was a flop). I have lots of space and want to eventually expand to be able to offer veggies to friends and the local food bank. But for now, I have been researching methods that I can 1. handle on my own 2. tend after work and weekends 3. not require a tiller. I found circle/keyhole gardens. But all the stuff I've come up with talks about them being raised - REALLY raised, like waist or shoulder high.
Is there a reason that its not recommended to do this at ground level?

These raised beds are 2' X 4'. I started out with just a few and things grew. No tilling, easy quick watering , easy to weed if needed. I buy cull lumber at the HD but you can buy cedar or non pressure treated 2 X6,8,10,12 and have HD cut them to your length. Nail or screw them together and fill with cuttings, clipping , or hay or straw and top with a bag of garden soil and your good to go. The grass, hay , whatever breaks down and you just add more soil or top soil or peat moss. Or chicken cleanings. It doesn't get any easier unless your Martha ( I take credit for it ) Stewart.

I buy the soil when it goes on sale.

 

[Crafty-Duck]

I can't wait to start growing some herbs for the nest boxes

This is how I keep the chickens and ducks out of my veggies

 

[rancher hicks]

I grow things specifically for the chickens. They like Swiss Chard and lettuce of course and I toss them cuttings of parsley. They also get all the damaged tomatoes.

 

[queenchick16]

Err, I'm going to have to do some more checking.  I don't remember anything about packing it with wood. 
I did see where they would slope it from very high in the middle (water reservoir in the center) to much lower around the outside - but still raised.  I wasn't considering it for the water conservation properties but more for the more ease of hand working it.  I read where they are supposed to be easier to work because you're not trying to keep long rows clear of weeds and you can group things denser. 

Right now I've got a 10' circle with the grass dug up and turned over.  I'm going to add some old hay and some chicken poo/horse poo this weekend and then cover it with a tarp.  I'll also have lots of oak leaves to add later, more hay, more poo - lol.  Hoping to end up with a slightly raised bed of richer soil by spring. 

I think horse poop will give you lots of weeds. Check it out. I'd just put in the chicken poop and work it in now

 

[queenchick16]

Al , it blooms on new wood so pruning in the early spring is OK.
They say keeping it under control is the real problem.
I'm going to put some around the telephone pole tomorrow and wait for spring to plant the rest.

 

[galanie]

Got my first seed catalog.

Been working on garden clean up, still harvesting broccoli and greens (chois, chards, spinach etc...)

Planning on some winter sowing this year.  I think I am going to do it direct though, going to play w/ the idea of direct winter sowing tomatoes and covering them w/ Dt Dew bottles w/ the cap removed and bottom cut off.  But that won't be until after Jan or so, getting the spots ready now though.  Also want to make at least one key hole garden for next year.

Sounds great! Put a stick in those bottle openings (down into the ground a bit and out the top) to be sure the wind doesn't blow them away and you're ready to go!

 

[Kassaundra]

Sounds great! Put a stick in those bottle openings (down into the ground a bit and out the top) to be sure the wind doesn't blow them away and you're ready to go!

Great idea thanks.

 

[rancher hicks]

I think horse poop will give you lots of weeds. Check it out. I'd just put in the chicken poop and work it in now

Sorry but IMO there is nothing better for fertilizer than horse manure. Even better than chicken. I've been gardening for years. As far as weeds, a good mulch helps. Raised beds even better. I do mulch my raised beds too. I think horse poop gets blamed when it's other things added or picked up along the way. After all horse poop is not bagged right from the source but left on the ground out in the open.