Gardeners are like Cylons: we have a plan.
Honestly, you have to. Last summer we bought and planted without thinking too much about it. It turned out well but it could have been better. And that's what I've beenobsessed thinking about for the past few months as winter raged outside.
My major concern were bugs. Last year, our vine plants (cucumber and melon, mainly) barely made it a month of being full grown before these weird gray bugs invaded and drained the life out of them. We harvested less than five cucumber and no melons due to the little bastards. Thank god I forgot to plant the zucchini. My goal this year is to try and control them without resorting to pesticides. My first thought is companion planting. This page has been a great help to me and I'm going to try as much of it as I can. There are no guarantees with companion planting but we're going to try. This year, we're planting cucumbers with radishes in hopes of deterring those nasty little beetles. The same page suggests growing yarrow in your garden as it's a natural fertilizer. We're trying to be organic (as much as we can!) so natural fertilizers are welcome.
I am also trying to persuade Dan that we need at least two more beds, if not four. We still have some weird spots around the house that a raised bed could improve the looks of. Besides, I want a bed for just herbs and a separate tea bed to plant mint, bee balm, chamomile, etc. At least this year we know how to build them!
Another item that we're going to add to the garden is more rain barrels around the house. We currently have the one and every time it rained last year, it would overflow. This year we're going to add a barrel to that barrel (piggy back!) and at least one more to the other side of the house. Rain barrels are the one thing every gardener must have - must! Using tap water to keep those plants happy is too expensive. Use what's out there! If you buy one pre-made, it is expensive but it's a one-time cost that will last for years. If you don't mind ugly, you can convert a round trash can into a rain barrel by cutting a hole in the lid.
The next idea I want to try is 2 liter watering. What that is taking clean 2 liter soda bottles and punching holes in the bottom 2-3 inches. You then bury them halfway down in the garden and fill them up. The soil will hydrate as it needs and it will also get deeper soil wet - that's what the roots want, that's what the roots get! It's also good for when you're on vacations or just forgetful.
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Honestly, you have to. Last summer we bought and planted without thinking too much about it. It turned out well but it could have been better. And that's what I've been
My major concern were bugs. Last year, our vine plants (cucumber and melon, mainly) barely made it a month of being full grown before these weird gray bugs invaded and drained the life out of them. We harvested less than five cucumber and no melons due to the little bastards. Thank god I forgot to plant the zucchini. My goal this year is to try and control them without resorting to pesticides. My first thought is companion planting. This page has been a great help to me and I'm going to try as much of it as I can. There are no guarantees with companion planting but we're going to try. This year, we're planting cucumbers with radishes in hopes of deterring those nasty little beetles. The same page suggests growing yarrow in your garden as it's a natural fertilizer. We're trying to be organic (as much as we can!) so natural fertilizers are welcome.
I am also trying to persuade Dan that we need at least two more beds, if not four. We still have some weird spots around the house that a raised bed could improve the looks of. Besides, I want a bed for just herbs and a separate tea bed to plant mint, bee balm, chamomile, etc. At least this year we know how to build them!
Another item that we're going to add to the garden is more rain barrels around the house. We currently have the one and every time it rained last year, it would overflow. This year we're going to add a barrel to that barrel (piggy back!) and at least one more to the other side of the house. Rain barrels are the one thing every gardener must have - must! Using tap water to keep those plants happy is too expensive. Use what's out there! If you buy one pre-made, it is expensive but it's a one-time cost that will last for years. If you don't mind ugly, you can convert a round trash can into a rain barrel by cutting a hole in the lid.
The next idea I want to try is 2 liter watering. What that is taking clean 2 liter soda bottles and punching holes in the bottom 2-3 inches. You then bury them halfway down in the garden and fill them up. The soil will hydrate as it needs and it will also get deeper soil wet - that's what the roots want, that's what the roots get! It's also good for when you're on vacations or just forgetful.
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