Converting hayfield to veggies
rovenorth
14 years ago
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misterbaby
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agolavender_lass
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Converting this small space into veggie garden, opinions?
Comments (19)I would remove all the wood chips since wood chips use nitrogen to decompose which is highly beneficial for a garden. Check with your county extension service for a soil test kit. In my area it cost nine dollars. Follow the instructions to the tee. Submit what you intend to grow usually general garden. Based on what type of soil is beneath the chips. Clay, loom, sand. I would definitely add compost, peat moss, some sand if clay soil and any elements indicated in the soil test. Lay your garden out on graph paper. Plant your short to tall starting south/southwest. You do not want to shade any plant. Do you have any varmints to look out for. ground hog, deer. skunk, raccoon. Have a heart trap. Happy Gardening!...See MoreConverting lawn to veggies; bermuda grass question
Comments (6)Sheet mulching is my favourite way to suppress grass and weeds and start a new bed. My approach is: first, a layer of cardboard, overlapping such that there is nowhere for grass to penetrate; next a layer of well-rotted manure; then a layer of straw--NOT HAY, (you'd be amazed how many people mistakenly use hay, as opposed to straw!); finally a layer of good topsoil, or my favourite, SeaSoil. You can then plant directly into this top layer. Not only do you avoid all the work of tilling, but you promote a much healthier soil ecology, and subsequently better plants. Be careful of your topsoil sources--I have seen a lot of properties unwittingly import horsetail, morning glory, and other nasty beasts by purchasing cheap material. That will leave you longing for bermuda grass! There is a lot of info on the web about sheet mulching, or 'lasagne gardening', as it sometimes called. A soil test is always a good idea. It will inform you of any deficient or toxic mineral levels, and if you need to adjust your soil pH. Personally, I think you will never make a better investment in your garden. I would mention that using pressure treated lumber for a vegetable garden is not advisable. I would replace it with rough cedar, which is relatively cheap, and will last years....See MoreYeaaaaaaa, another convert
Comments (2)My sister in law just called & asked a ? about starting her tom. seeds inside. I couldn't help her as I've never done it. I told her to put some in a jug and start some outside via WS. Now they know it works they watched everything last year, have seen my "pot ghettos" this year and they save me jugs! Last year I sent over a jug of BB sprouted and full!! Why are they being stubborn about WS? I don't understand at all. On a good note I've gotten a girlfriend & my cousins wife to try it this year! Why won't my brother?? Annette...See MoreGarden re-do., or how I converted to a ruthless gardner
Comments (4)Linda, I got the shovel pruning term from the rose forum. I admit it took me awhile to figure out it meant to remove the plant. Thanks, Tony, I feel very flattered. I have done a little more ruthless removal, but it has been too hot and humid to really go at it. All the common spiderwort is gone (of course it is not, but the big clumps are gone). I don't even miss it. I reread "We Made A Garden" by Marjory Fish over the weekend and was inspired to deadhead and cut back with a vengence. I did some research on a tree I had received when I was on the shade tree commisison for our city. At a Tree City USA shindig a few years back, a local company had free trees for us. We had our choice of golden rain tree or Katsura (sp). I thought I had the golden rain tree, but as it hadn't produced any thing remotely "golden" I thought I better check. I have been deceived. I have a honey locust. I have nothing against honey locust except that now I have a honey locust planted between a tulip tree and an European Larch. 3 soon to be too too big trees. Which to remove is now the question. I stand in the side yard and stare. I walk around the outside of the yard and stare and mutter to myself, coffe cup in hand, trailed by 3 cats. Hmmm. The tulip is in the middle of the side yard, my "speciman tree". It has a kink in the trunk (never buy at a big box store again), and it leans a little (I now always use a level when I plant trees or have the dh out there with his good eye). But it throws shade just exactly where I want it. Locust tree is nice, dappled shade, close to propery line, as is the Larch. Really I should take out the locust because it is too close to the Larch and the tulip because it is leaning and crooked. If I do it this year, I can probably do it myself. At least the Locust. I don't think I have the will to take out 2 trees. I dithered for years whether I wanted a speciman tree in the center of the side lot or a formal pool. I finally decided on the tree because of cost and I like shade gardening. Maybe now I will get my formal pool, though cost is still a hinderence, especially now with ds in college. What to do, what to do. I see more dithering and muttering in the side yard....See Morebrookw_gw
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agowordwiz
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agocheapheap
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agowordwiz
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agolavender_lass
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoBeeone
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agom_lorne
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agobrookw_gw
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agorovenorth
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agozeedman Zone 5 Wisconsin
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agorovenorth
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agohandh3842
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agobrookw_gw
14 years agolast modified: 9 years agoIqbal Virk
3 years ago
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rovenorthOriginal Author