So many things I want to grow, too little time to care for them.

12 years ago

It's that time of year again. Seed ordering season! I want to order too much! It's like a disease!

I have the space to grow all of the things that I want to grow. But I don't have the time to take care of all of it! Long work hours, on call, other obligations......

I have scaled down the last few years,I was planting about 1+ acre, but the urge is overwhelming! I planted too much last spring, weeds took over a lot of stuff. Deer got a lot too.

I'm working on a new strategy. Instead of plowing under the shredded leaves I'm leaving them on top for mulch, hopefully less weeds. Bought some cheap wheat straw that was rain damaged for extra mulch. A cover crop of Crimson clover on one half to mow and use as mulch. I was inspired years ago by Helen Nearing about using a thick mulch layer to cut down on weeding. Finally I'm going to do it.

I'm working on my trellises during the off season instead of trying to do it all in the spring. Got my tomato cages clean and ready to go.

Taking a leak in a jug and spreading it in the garden for fertilizer and hopefully keeping deer away.Sweet Thang doesn't like the jug thing....LOL

Sorry for the long post, but my disease, planting too much, and only having greens to harvest has gotten the best of me!

I need rehab!

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Comments (3)

stuffradio
12 years ago
Ho wow, I have 1+ acre of space for planting also, but haven't planted anything near that amount yet. I would love to though. :)
SoTX
12 years ago
You ain't the only one needing rehab! Boy, do I have seeds?! Why I am convinced I need more...Still, it's the only way I know of to find out what both works & tastes best.
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NancyPlants
12 years ago
My garden isnt nearly as large but the very best solution I've found for weeds is to lay down either a thick layer of newspaper or cardboard before spreading the mulch.
In the spring the mulch can be mostly raked aside and tilling done...then plant, place newspaper/cardboard and cover with mulch. By the following spring the newspaper/cardboard have decomposed and can be tilled in.

I'm still amazed how well this works. Not a single weed to pull where I use this method. Overlap the paper/cardboard a bit for best results. I've never been a 'dumpster diver' but behind a local furniture store we found lots of clean cardboard. Nice large appliance boxes that are easily cut to fit around plants.
This method might not be feasable for a huge garden but perhaps it could be utilized in your most problem areas. It certainly has allowed me to spend more of my summer enjoying my garden rather than fighting weeds :)

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So many things I want to grow, too little time to care for them.

Comments (3)

stuffradio

SoTX

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