So, at this time, May 2012, things are still happening!! My granddaughter decided to work with me so she could learn about gardening and preserving produce, and she has been a great help!! We started planting in February and have been transplanting and now planting in the garden!
May 31, 2013- Well it has been a while and much has happened since my last post. We had a successful season in 2012 and had 7 shareholders with us through October 4th of last year. This year is looking good as well. We need some warm weather, a little less rain and a LOT less slugs, but I'm sure God is working on that!!
Let me fill you in on what we have accomplished since the end of the growing season last year. My husband, Bill, found an amazing video on U-Tube called Back to Eden Gardening. The gentleman who came up with this great concept is Paul Gautschi and he actually lives and gardens in Washington state. This means he has an idea what growing in the Northwest is really like.
As a result of watching the video, we decided to give it a try. We contacted local tree services and other sources to get wood chips, which we placed over the entire 3500 square feet of the main garden -about 6-8 inches deep. This is a no-till concept and the chips stay on top of the soil and compost down to improve your soil (you do NOT mix them into the soil)- rather than tilling up what little top soil you have and letting it blow or wash away. The theory is that the chips not only compost down, they hold in water limiting the amount of irrigating you have to do as well as lessening the number of weeds that come up through that much mulch. Another great benefit is that it eventually eliminates diseases and insect problems to a large degree. This helps a lot since we do not use chemical sprays. There are other side benefits, but enough for now. I can attest to the fact that the weeds are far fewer this year and come up much easier than they did when it was just my heavy clay soil. I also found the lack of mud was wonderful! I have not been in the garden and come out 3 feet taller once this year and that's awesome!!
Planting was new experience, you move the chips to the sides of your row and plant in the soil. I water (if it's not raining) and side dress the plants as they come up. I have much to learn about gardening this way, but what a great learning experience. Those plants that we raised from seed and were fairly large when we put them in, seem to really like the environment and are doing well. Seeds sown so far are also showing signs of doing well, I just have to keep the slugs from feasting on them.
I'll keep you posted on how things go, but I am very encouraged so far. I also hope to visit Paul Gautschi later in the summer to see his garden and ask questions.
I am also taking the WSU Master Gardner's Training through Lewis County and loving it. I am learning much that will help the Garden of Hope improve it's production and produce so we can continue to have happy shareholders. That's all for today. Have a great Memorial Day!!
May 31, 2013- Well it has been a while and much has happened since my last post. We had a successful season in 2012 and had 7 shareholders with us through October 4th of last year. This year is looking good as well. We need some warm weather, a little less rain and a LOT less slugs, but I'm sure God is working on that!!
Let me fill you in on what we have accomplished since the end of the growing season last year. My husband, Bill, found an amazing video on U-Tube called Back to Eden Gardening. The gentleman who came up with this great concept is Paul Gautschi and he actually lives and gardens in Washington state. This means he has an idea what growing in the Northwest is really like.
As a result of watching the video, we decided to give it a try. We contacted local tree services and other sources to get wood chips, which we placed over the entire 3500 square feet of the main garden -about 6-8 inches deep. This is a no-till concept and the chips stay on top of the soil and compost down to improve your soil (you do NOT mix them into the soil)- rather than tilling up what little top soil you have and letting it blow or wash away. The theory is that the chips not only compost down, they hold in water limiting the amount of irrigating you have to do as well as lessening the number of weeds that come up through that much mulch. Another great benefit is that it eventually eliminates diseases and insect problems to a large degree. This helps a lot since we do not use chemical sprays. There are other side benefits, but enough for now. I can attest to the fact that the weeds are far fewer this year and come up much easier than they did when it was just my heavy clay soil. I also found the lack of mud was wonderful! I have not been in the garden and come out 3 feet taller once this year and that's awesome!!
Planting was new experience, you move the chips to the sides of your row and plant in the soil. I water (if it's not raining) and side dress the plants as they come up. I have much to learn about gardening this way, but what a great learning experience. Those plants that we raised from seed and were fairly large when we put them in, seem to really like the environment and are doing well. Seeds sown so far are also showing signs of doing well, I just have to keep the slugs from feasting on them.
I'll keep you posted on how things go, but I am very encouraged so far. I also hope to visit Paul Gautschi later in the summer to see his garden and ask questions.
I am also taking the WSU Master Gardner's Training through Lewis County and loving it. I am learning much that will help the Garden of Hope improve it's production and produce so we can continue to have happy shareholders. That's all for today. Have a great Memorial Day!!
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