Thursday, March 11, 2010

Come on, everyone....get in line....


This brings back my days as a teacher! I've decided to be a bit more organized in my garden plot. Hopefully this will help me utilize every inch of my space and make weeding a bit easier. In the past I've been one of those rogue, random seed spreaders...no rows, just...well....ummmmmm, clumps! Yes, that's it, clumps! While I enjoy more natural garden designs, I have come to an understanding that the veggie garden is not the best place for this. Keeping records of the rows will allow me to be more purposeful in my testing of varieties and will encourage more careful seed choices in the future. All of that being said, let me explain the photo. I've been using a string stretched between two stakes to help in laying out semi straight rows. These are my little yellow onion sets all nestled in compost enriched soil. I made sure to follow the Farmer's Almanac lunar calendar recommendations for planting root crops.

I've also found a fantastic "app" for my iPhone that is called iGarden. This app allows a gardener to keep records of the date of planting and counts down the days to harvest for each veggie. It's so nice to see those harvest days grow closer...even when I am away from my garden I can sort of virtually check in with it via iGarden. If you have an iPhone, I highly recommend this app! Have fun!

Finally, I'd like to take a moment to say a hearty "THANK YOU!!" to the inventor of rubber mud boots. Honestly, how did I garden before these beauties came into my life?

5 comments:

Clong said...

You really need to try square foot gardening. I gardened using rows for years and switched to sq ft just recently. It is AMAZING, such a better way to utilize space. And it's a great way to spread the love around from soil enhancing plants like legumes. Just something to think about.

Dr. White said...

I actually was a square foot gardener for years, but was not very happy with the results here in Southern Oklahoma. (My results were drastically better in Northern Oklahoma when we lived up there.) The raised beds just dried out way to fast in the hot windy July climate...I felt like I was watering them 5 times a day. Although I'm using rows, I'm using a wide row system that allows me to still strategically enhance the soil (like raised beds) and utilize my space much more wisely than a traditional row garden.

Spring Lake Farm said...

I love those boots! Mine are just so.....boring. ;)

Wishful Acres Farm said...

This is just how I planted last year - with a string and two sticks. Very scientific of us, lol.
It worked well for me last summer, and I'll do it again this year.
Can't believe you're planting already.
Although, luckily, the weather was in the upper 40s and 50s here all week, so the snow has finally melted!
A couple more weeks, and I'll be joining you in planting!

Unknown said...

I do need to get boots...those are pretty under all that mud.. :) Oh I can't wait to dig!!! it is way to early here still....Enjoy the dirt!!! Have a great day..Lisa