So glad I didn't plant tomatoes/peppers etc. Temps in the 30's here would cause serious depression in seedlings
We're getting 30's a couple more nights this week. Peppers and tomatoes would turn purple and just sulk for weeks. I actually end up AHEAD by waiting. I am jealous- a planted garden, like a drying stack of wood, is money in the bank.I just planted last night. Two nights ago was a fairly heavy frost.
Lasagna garden it.Called a local guy for some topsoil and got a quote for $18.50/cu.yd., then came the kicker.
$75 for delivery. I'm 1.5 miles from 'em. Jeesh
I bought bags.
Lasagna garden is free. Just layer compostables over paper/cardboard. (well free, if you have leaves, etc).I can get bags at virtually the same price. Each raised bed takes just a bit less than a yard (unless I make 'em taller).
I've been taking mom to her Dr. appt's weekly, so I pick up 10-15 bags each trip.
The whole idea is to get better control of the weeds and reduce bending. I put down multi layers of newspaper under the frame, then load the TS. I'll do the walk ways the same with newspaper and straw. Long process for me.
Thing is, is the garden is full of goat, sheep, and chicken crap from a couple years ago. The weeds love it.
I may put the tomatoes and green beans in this week or next, although it's probably still too early.
You don't have to if just using it as a mulch of sorts. For a lasagna garden- take any patch of dirt and weeds, layer up compostables several inches thick (make sure you have yer greens and browns) over several sheets newspaper or some cardboard. Plant in a small soil pocket. It smothers the weeds, the compostables break down in place, and worms do the tilling. I use 1/2 finished compost for much of it, though I haven't started a new bed in years (I may expand this year).Question on that. I used grass clippings between my 'mater plants. Should I have put newspaper down first? It is a fairly thick layer and I have an endless supply.
I've done the clippings with and without the newspaper. I prefer without.Question on that. I used grass clippings between my 'mater plants. Should I have put newspaper down first? It is a fairly thick layer and I have an endless supply.
Less weeding, watering, etc. Tilling is for suckers
Tilling is entirely necessary if you really hate wormsI'm starting to think tilling just makes the weeds happy.
If the soil is loose and you keep it mulched up well with compostables, you will wonder why you went through the effort. Or, you'll put out a hit on me.I will have you know that this is the first year that I will not be tilling my garden. Its your fault (good or bad). I just hope I can get my onions and radishes out of that dirt when time comes. I will let you know if you deserve a hug or if I send DeltaT over to your house for a month or two.
Wheel on Tires need cleaning and headlights still weren't in when I took this last week.
The dirt around here is truly "black dirt". Its black. Really black ( I should take pics for all you non-midwesterners). The stuff can get hard if dry. I may have to water heavily before trying to pull onions and radishes.
Loose is not a term I would use to describe it. No sand, no rocks, no clay, just black dirt (thank you Wisconsin and Canada).
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