What can we do on a small urban property? **WARNING*** this is a really long post!

[Marty1876]

My goats were smuggled in originally. I keep nigerian dwarf dairy goats. Right now, the two of them live in the barn most of the time. They are VERY quiet in there. They only time anyone fuses is when I take one to milk, and leave the other alone while I go to the milk room to milk.

Ready Mel Bartholomews "Square foot gardening", its an awesome guide for tiny gardens with huge production.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I had a little problem with the Squarefoot garden last year. I tried some heirloom tomatoes and ended up with a bad infestation of nasties. Any suggestions for "sanitizing" the soil before this years planting season?

 

[mickey328]

One important thing with tomatoes is to not plant in the same ground more than once every 3 years. We actually rotate them so that it's only every 4 years they end up in the same spot, and make sure we vary what we do plant. So far, it's been quite successful; we've not had anything that we had to worry much about in terms of bugs.

What kind of "nasties" did you have?

 

[Tomtommom]

My mom always planted marigolds around the tomatoes, which keeps some "nasties" away. There's a lot of companion plants out there. I'm still learning myself haha.

I also remember her using coffee grounds, banana peels and egg shells to improve conditions for certain plants.

 

[mickey328]

Yep, marigolds are awesome for nematode control! Basil and garlic are great near tomatoes as well. Actually, I stick garlic all over...it really helps to ward off aphids which seem to love roses and tomatoes

 

[wyoDreamer]

I believe they were aphids. I sprayed the plants with Insecticidal Soap, then rinsed all the dead bodies off a day later, then sprayed again and refreshed once a week to keep them at bay. They were so bad that they spread to everything - even my snow peas and onions.

I am worried that they are overwintering in the soil and I will have a problem with them when I plant in this "growhouse" this spring. I created this soil from compost/bagged topsoil/steer manure/bloodmeal/bonemeal/etc. and would hate to have to dig it out and start over from scratch. It was really good for the previous two years

 

[mickey328]

A simple soap spray is a really effective way to deal with aphids, thank goodness. You do have to keep on top of it like you did, but at least it works and doesn't poison your garden or soil. Ladybugs are also awesome in the fight against aphids. Every third year or so, we buy a bunch from a local nursery and turn them loose on our roses and trees and such. They clean 'em all up very quickly. Maybe if you put some in your growhouse this spring, you could effectively cut them off at the pass. Sure would beat having to mess with the soil!

On a different topic, thought I'd let folks know that I created a Facebook page and group called Colorado Sustainable Urban Homestead Collective. My thinking was that there have to be quite a number of us in the NoCo area who are trying to produce more of our own, and that if we worked together, we'd all benefit. For sharing goods and services, proximity is almost a necessity, but anyone is welcome to participate since knowledge and skills and experience can certainly be shared at any distance. If you're interested, by all means stop by!

 

[Whispering Winds]

There is an article somewhere, and I wish I could remember where I saw it, about a woman who has 1/2 acre and grows 2000#s or something like that of produce off of it every year. I saw on PINTEREST the coolest ideas for growing strawberries. Build a square trellis, make boxes on top and plant the strawberries in the boxes. They drape over and you pick CLEAN berries without having to break your back. . .then that leaves more land for other things. I think the square foot gardening in raised beds is a great idea for you and your small spot. . .its great what you have accomplished so far!! I know there is a book too for small homesteading on minimal acreage too. Amazon might be a good place to check!!! Good luck!!! Sounds great!!!

 

[mickey328]

Thanks WW...what a neat idea for strawberries. I'm about to yank my "regular" plot out...it's taking up too much space for what we get from it but that idea might be just what the doctor ordered!

I've also seen some where people are producing enough on their small properties to feed their families of 4 or more...it's amazing! Not sure I'll ever get to that point but I sure see no reason not to grow edible plants than just grass or ornamentals.

 

[Tomtommom]

If I can't eat it or it doesn't make my life better in some way, it has to go. Needless to say, I'm on husband number two.

Anyway, all joking aside. I am removing atleast half of my "lawn" in the back yard to start a veg garden. I had a veg garden in the front, but the dirt is bright freaking orange.. while I have loamy gorgeous soil under my ginormous ancient tulip tree. What.. the... heck? WHY am I trying to turn orange dirt into black gold, while I have black gold in the back? Durr..

I'm also in the process of moving all the various patches of Mondo grass that are scattered throughout my lawn. They're gonna be a nice circle around the tulip tree. It'll keep the soil from washing away like it has been, it'll keep the weeds at bay AND it looks good.

I have so many wishes around the house.. I want a patio and all sorts of walk ways and retaining walls and and and...if someone has a money tree, send me some seedlings. I need it.