Garden Friday

 

 

 Welcome to September's first Garden Friday!

With over 5 inches of rain so far this week,

the rain barrels are overflowing

and the mushrooms are sproutin' up big time!

new garden location

 

Work has started in earnest on the new garden site.

We got good news from the second company that came out to give us

an estimate on septic tank issues.

Since our levelers were adjusted by someone from the city,

the standing water has not been a problem.

That, along with removing all of the material from the leach field,

has allowed the septic system to work properly,

so we will not have to spend any money on it for now.

We do plan to have the tank pumped, 

since we've been here for over 3 years

and haven't yet had it done.

It's recommended to have the tank pumped

and inspected at least every 2 years.

We can do that!

 

The raised bed materials from the old location had been dismantled 

and placed to the side until we confirmed the new garden space.

The same boards will be used, as they are still in decent shape,

and of course, our cement corners and rebar can be used

over and over again.

 

Creating raised beds couldn't be easier with this system

and it is really inexpensive.

The boards, which were cut to length at the store,

simply nestle into the slats on the sides of the cement blocks.

(Cardboard is placed under the beds to deter weeds.)

 

Big K helped me put these 3X8 beds back together.

We took advantage of an overcast morning 

and had two beds created in just minutes.

 

Once the boards are placed in the corner pieces,

it's a good idea to install rebar through the center holes.

This prevents the boards from shifting and moving.

One of the best features of this system,

is that the beds can be made as tall as you'd like.

As the height increases, longer pieces of rebar can be used.

In this way, it's possible to make taller beds

for those who may have difficulty with balance or mobility.

 

This weekend will find me working on filling in the boxes

with organic material such as branches, leaves and twigs,

before adding soil to the top section.

(Here I've just thrown in some brown packing paper that we had in our recycle bin,

and a few food scraps that the chooks left behind.)

This is my version of hugelkulture.

Not only do these materials break down over time adding nutrients,

they are the perfect home for all sorts of wriggly critters

which will keep it aerated and add life to the growing medium.

 

Two beds down, several more to go.

Let the fall planting begin!

I will add more beds slowly, as it is still really hot out there!

For the first time, I made up a plan,

outlining where I want beds to go.

The first thing I intend to put in is snap peas,

as my spring harvest left much to be desired.

I feel so blessed to have another option on our homestead

in which to grow food.

Between the garden and the chooks (see them in the upper left corner?),

this will be where I'll be spending most of my time.

 

 

 

These critters were covering some of the cardboard I had laid down

before placing the raised beds.

I believe they are flying ants,

as they have a narrow waist.

Thankfully, many of them were eaten by the chooks!

How's that for pest control?

 

We continue to be fascinated and amazed 

by these Monarch caterpillars.

Witnessing the cycle never gets old.

They absolutely devour the milkweed.

 

A chrysalis was spied on the underside of our metal coneflower bird feeder.

I'm hoping I can catch it as it emerges,

which usually happens in the early morning hours.

 

Mother Nature is truly incredible!