Past, Present, and Future Gardens

[Meg-in-MT]

The garden is a decent size but the garden prior to that was around 1500 square feet. I got spoiled with that and although currently I don't need something quite that large, if I could have some extra crop to take to sell that would be a goal. A market garden or small farm capable of supporting a market or two plus a CSA would be a dream down the road; one that I am taking classes about and trying to learn and research about.

Goals for this year are to start making a compost pile and support it throughout the year. Keep better records of when fertilization was performed and try to stay closer on schedule and be more diligent about possible insect and disease problems.

How do you keep the weeds subdued? I can't imagine myself taking care of a 1500 sq ft garden. Mine's 20x20 and I cannot seem to win the weed war. I started mulching with grass clippings last year and that helped a lot.

Composting would be great fun, as well.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Those chickens look super happy in there!
I love the nasturtiums, so delicious!

LOL! They are super happy! I am glad my chicks appreciate my garden! Their happiness always makes me happy!

 

[Farmdog267]

View attachment 1997085 View attachment 1997084 View attachment 1997082
I grow huge patches of greens for me and my chicks.

They are having lots of fun at the buffet!

 

[Farmdog267]

How do you keep the weeds subdued? I can't imagine myself taking care of a 1500 sq ft garden. Mine's 20x20 and I cannot seem to win the weed war. I started mulching with grass clippings last year and that helped a lot.

Composting would be great fun, as well.

I only had that garden for a year. Mulch/wood chips in spots, clippings in other spots and frequent hand cultivation in other spots.

Last year, it was some grass clippings, and weekly hand cultivation, usually with a garden weasel that helped. I have tried the organic corn gluten sprinkled along the rows and that is decent unless you get too much heavy rain.

 

[Nor-Cal Chickens]

I'm going to "try" to grow fruit trees and vegetables this year.

Last year Japanese Beatles killed pretty much everything and I tried everything that people told me to do... Nothing worked and it was frustrating.

I just ordered Nanny berries and wild grapes, which come in April 4th.

I plan on growing tomatoes, jalapenos, cilantro, parsley, oregano, and green onions.

I have two 4x4 above garden beds

Wild Grapes might be something you come to regret later on. My next door neighbors (both sides) have them and they are extremely invasive and grapes pretty much not edible they are so small.

 

[FortCluck]

Wild Grapes might be something you come to regret later on. My next door neighbors (both sides) have them and they are extremely invasive and grapes pretty much not edible they are so small.

I already ordered them and they're going in pots. I'm not putting them in the ground.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

We can grow grapes here, as well (zone 4). My neighbor shared part of his massive bounty last year! They were fantastic.

 

[Papmike]

Hi Guys and Gals,
We have grown a little bit of everything for years. We concentrate mostly on tomatoes, peppers, winter squash, root crops, and garlic. We can them or store for the cold months.

Anything that vines goes up on a trellis. Cucumbers, squash, beans, melons, even pumpkins. Most do not need to be supported.

Compost is made and added yearly. Leaves, bedding, even junk mail goes in. Cardboard is used and held down with compost for weed control. Punch a hole and put in transplants. Seeded vegetables are kept weeded by hand.

This is the time to look for seed swaps. You don't even need seeds to trade. Look on line for upcoming events near you. Our first one is in three weeks.

Local libraries may have seeds available for free as well. They get seeds donated from various companies (including organic) which are repackaged in smaller quantities. Every year we help repackage in February.

Your county soil and water conservation district might have a spring tree/shrub sale. Besides evergreen and deciduous trees they carry homestead plants. This year ours has raspberry, blueberry, paw paw, hazelnut,and much more. Bare root plants cheap. (red raspberry 5 for $18) Sign up for emails about upcoming events such as beginning beekeeping.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hi Guys and Gals,
We have grown a little bit of everything for years. We concentrate mostly on tomatoes, peppers, winter squash, root crops, and garlic. We can them or store for the cold months.

Anything that vines goes up on a trellis. Cucumbers, squash, beans, melons, even pumpkins. Most do not need to be supported.

Compost is made and added yearly. Leaves, bedding, even junk mail goes in. Cardboard is used and held down with compost for weed control. Punch a hole and put in transplants. Seeded vegetables are kept weeded by hand.

This is the time to look for seed swaps. You don't even need seeds to trade. Look on line for upcoming events near you. Our first one is in three weeks.

Local libraries may have seeds available for free as well. They get seeds donated from various companies (including organic) which are repackaged in smaller quantities. Every year we help repackage in February.

Your county soil and water conservation district might have a spring tree/shrub sale. Besides evergreen and deciduous trees they carry homestead plants. This year ours has raspberry, blueberry, paw paw, hazelnut,and much more. Bare root plants cheap. (red raspberry 5 for $18) Sign up for emails about upcoming events such as beginning beekeeping.

Great information!

ETA: do you have a root cellar or how do you store your root crops, onions etc?

 

[FortCluck]

We can grow grapes here, as well (zone 4). My neighbor shared part of his massive bounty last year! They were fantastic.View attachment 1997395

What kind of grapes are they?