|
| We live on eleven acres, and when I first moved here I found what looked to be the best soil and planted my garden there, over 100 feet from the house. It was difficult to manage, difficult walking up and down from the hill, and out of reach of all but the longest garden hoses.
Having read a book which states:
What is the best thing to do RIGHT NOW to enrich the soil? I have plenty of compostable materials, and wood ash, piles of cardboard, bags of newspaper, etc, and a hose is right next to the whole setup so I can keep it as moist or dry as it needs to be. Help! |
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| Hola, The best thing that you can do right now is read Weeds Guardians of the Soil, and then consider how you want to proceed. Terran |
Here is a link that might be useful: Weeds Guardians of the Soil
|
- Posted by gardengal48 PNW zone 8 (My Page) on Sun, Nov 7, 10 at 12:56
| I'd suggest relocating the plants you want to save now before the weather gets much colder and transplanting becomes more of challenge. Then layer the area with your newspaper or cardboard and whatever other organic matter you have at hand. Right now, shredded leaves in quantity would be a great addition. You may wish to cover with a layer of mulch or soil to keep things in place, but by spring you should have a workable, weed-free planting area. |
|
| First transplant the keepers. Second do a soil test. Third spread livestock manure 6 inches deep. |
|
| "Your vegetable garden should be no further from your kitchen than you can throw your kitchen sink." That would be about the last thing I would consider for the location of the vegetable garden. Sun exposure, soil compostion, terrain level are better considerations. But all other things being equal, I guess proximity to the house would be nice. To prepare a weedy area for vegetable garden use next year I would toss a load of compost over the area and then turn the hole area under. One spadeful at a time. Ensuring that the weed layer is turned under. Then break apart each spadeful to soften things up a bit. This is a job best done before the soil gets too wet, which it may be for you now. I do this sort of activity right after the Fall rains begin. |
|
- Posted by eaglesgarden 6b - se PA (My Page) on Mon, Nov 8, 10 at 20:37
| I agree with tcstoehr. My back door is on the north side of my house and I don't much room from there to the end of my property (about 12 feet). So, my "kitchen garden" is in the spot that gets the most summer sun. It is actually as far from my back door as it can be on my property (but it's really not that far, given my total property is only 50' x 150', including the footprint for the house. The garden space is approximately 15' x 10', including the areas for walkways... It's tight, but I make it work for me. :^) Don't feel obligated to put your garden anywhere, except for the spot that works best for YOU! If you need to make it right outside your door, do it. But, if you have a spot that gets more/better sun, is closer to the hose, etc. Put it there. Don't feel the need to put it somewhere based on how strong you are (how far you can throw a sink!). ;^) |
|
| I have created new planting beds many times simply by covering the area with newspaper and covering the newspaper with shredded leaves. The shredded leaves help hold the newspaper in place and the newspaper denies the plants growing there access to the sunlight they need to grow so those covered plants die and feed the soil. I have not found any reason to expend the effort needed to turn the soil in any way and this has worked in clay soils just as well as in sandy soils. |
|
| When preparing a new area I like to turn it over and introduce organic matter... just once. Some people like to do it every year, some people never. It does have the benefit of relieving any soil compaction from areas that have likely been regularly walked on. And it does get the get organic matter into the soil right away. But I just do it once, and use surface applications of compost after that. |
|
- Posted by jessiecarole (My Page) on Wed, Nov 10, 10 at 14:52
| I like my garden close to the house for all the reasons you listed. I would mow the area as close to the ground as possible and start piling on the organic matter. Some people like to start with a layer of newspaper or cardboard. I wouldn't put a garden in where morning glories have grown and seeded, no matter what method I chose. If you turn the soil, you will just scatter the seed. Try to smother them and they will come up when you dig your planting holes. I hope its not too late in your area to collect leaves and grass clippings. Straw and spoiled hay are also good to pile up. I don't turn my heaps, but I do lift them periodically so that they don't sour. A garden close to the house is easier to tend and harvest. You can keep it damp (keep a dishpan in your sink) with your kitchen water, and bury your scraps and peelings in your heaps this winter. good luck! jc |
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Soil Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.