I am planting my garden to full capacity (for the first time) this year. That's a 1600 square foot plot. I'm planting it in order to give it away to neighbors and friends this summer. This is mostly to build neighborly relations in general but also if (when?) things go to shit. And it's already working. My two neighbors have already volunteered that "If you ever need anything..."
I have extended the invitation to my garden to friends as well and will be extending it to my landscapers (a useful and hard working lot).
Inventory:
2 regular tomato plants 2 cherry tomato plants 3 cucumber plants 3 watermelon plants 5 bell pepper (2 green, 2 red, 1 yellow) 4 yellow squash 175 corn (that would be 350+ ears at harvest) 175 green bean plants (companion planted) 150 snow pea plants
Fruit:
5 peach trees absolutely loaded with baby peaches ("buds") right now 1 apple tree, still small, loaded 1 crab apple tree, still small, loaded 1 grape vine (I stopped counting at 60 little baby bunches)
Herbs:
Sage Italian oregano chocolate mint (mint, but tastes like chocolate mint)
Planned additions for this summer:
2 more regular tomato plants 5 more bell pepper plants, sprouted from seeds saved last year 1 cantaloupe plant, sprouted from seed 4 eggplant plants, sprouted from seed one catnip plant, just because I have a cat 2 black birch trees if I can get the seeds to sprout (good for wintergreen oil)
Cantaloupe and eggplant are from seed because no one is selling that shit this year.
I still need to get a yard/garden toolbox-whatever-it's-called to put shears/scissors in, plastic bags for people to use so they don't rip shit off the plant. I still need to print and laminate and then mount some signs identifying plants and noting when they should be ripe, how to tell if.
Edit: I'm using blossom set on all of it. It is a plant hormone that forces flowers to produce. All of them. Faster, larger.
Edit edit: For those curious, I have included in my soil prep:
A layer of mulch to amend the soil, hold in moisture, block weeds Eggshells for calcium (prevents blossom end rot) Bone meal Blood meal Potash
I actually dislike gardening. I hate the work, the weeding, the planting, the harvesting, the food preservation. Watering isn't too bad, eating a little here and there is okay too. I do it, however, because for some reason only God knows, I'm really fucking good at it. It seems a shame to waste a talent like that.
This is my first year I'm giving it a go. I'm not sure whether I like it or not. I've got my son involved, I thought it would be a neat activity for us to do together. I'd like him to learn hard work pays off.
Impressive work. You were just getting started with it on old voat, no?
I was doing a similar thing with my neighbors up until this year, putting it out on a table for anyone to take. Everything is getting processed for storage this year, and my son is putting winter squash and melons out to sell for a few bucks to make money.
I've found that once the garden proper was fully set, it was easy to take a new section and turn it into garden each year. I added another 250sqft of fully prepped rows this year, and have a 600sqft section that is being prepped to turn into garden next year.
Id recommend setting a section aside each year and putting in a cover crop mix, then leaving it through winter. It really helps keep the ground from getting compacted and you will see a lot more soil life when you plant on it in spring.
Eh, I had done a lot already but it's been settled now. I let the garden rest last year because it was only a yard space before that and it needed it. That gave the mulch time to start amending the lack in the soil.
The amount of earthworms under the mulch is absolutely insane. And I'm not terribly worried about compaction. For whatever reason, as I was planting seeds, I found a LOT of little pockets of loose dirt or just plainly air pockets. It's not moles or anything; I dug a few up and it's just... air pockets. Little air pockets. This is ground that's been walked all over a little over a year now so the mulch and worms are doing their jobs, I guess.
Aye, the hard work is just prepping the area. Adding to it is easy. I didn't want to make any more of that part of the yard a garden area so when I prepped it, I did the max size I wanted.
Ultimately, I want a yard that's completely edible year round. Hence the herbs and fruits. I figure if I can keep an edible yard, not only will it be low(er) maintenance, I'll reduce my grocery bill all the time and increase the value of the property if/when I sell.
[ - ] Epictetus 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 19:06:52 ago (+1/-0)
The edible yard is what I do, but I'm about ten years into it now. It definitely pays dividends.
I've got about 8k seed starts this year, not including stuff that I'll start in situ once the soil warms up. Hopefully I'll be getting more fruit this year now that the earliest planted trees have reached full maturity.
Honestly, as much as I'd hate all the work, I'd LOVE to get 30+ acres and have nothing but edible plants and shit all over the place. Do it right and you never have to mow, never have to go to the store, never have to weed or plant anything else. Just gotta worry about the critters.
[ - ] Epictetus 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 21:13:28 ago (+1/-0)
One of my friends just got a job advising a well off couple on doing 300 something acres for this purpose. Freaking dream job.
I only do one acre, which is about the extent of what I could manage without help.
We were discussing it this weekend though and it would probably be less work with more land, because you would have room for error and failure. I have absolutely zero room for failure if I expect to feed my family off what I produce.
300.... are they feeding a whole town? If you farm one acre correctly, you can feed an average family all year. You don't need more than maybe 30 if you wanna do an edible landscape for a family all year.
I think people's different priorities in planting are interesting. I planted about 50 peas, 30 something Okra, 30ish potatoes, but went super heavy on tomatoes and various peppers. 40ish of various varieties of each.
I've got 45 corn plants going. Here's hoping I do better than last year with those. I'm going to be companion planting as well.
My tomato output is in gallons per week with just four plants and that's with just letting them do their own thing and making sure the ground doesn't get too dry. This year, I've amped up the soil amendments and am also using blossom set to make sure every bloom produces. I usually have something like 6 pepper plants and don't get very much while I drown in tomatoes (from 4 plants) and cucumbers (from one plant). I planted a lot of corn, beans, and peas because that's are high quantity crops. If I get my usual 95% germination rate for corn, I'm looking at well over 300 ears, closer to 350. Hell, some of my corn ends up with 5 ears and you're only supposed to get 2 or 3.
I tried to plant foods that you could mix all together and make dishes from without having to go to the store much. Loaded spaghetti sauces, stir fries, meat loaf ingredients, casseroles, soups, and so on.
I don't get a lot of luck with potatoes... maybe 5 pounds worth from 3 plants.
I don't usually companion plant unless it's a climbing plant next to corn. Or maybe cucumbers next to sunflowers. I don't usually pay much attention to "don't plant this next to that" but I keep mindful of it and make sure I rotate where things are planted each year. I'm a little more careful of what's next to what this year though so that I can maximize output and how much I can plant. For example, I normally plant one watermelon if any at all and just let it do whatever it wants. This year, however, I'm planting three and will be training the vines in specific directions. Same with cucumbers.
I just planted out into my 2 polytunnels (got them free when an old guy retired) and put courgetts out - but hoping its not too early. Its great you are getting to know your neigbours. I'll make more of an effort.
I wouldn't mind a greenhouse or similar things myself, honestly. It makes the work so much easier not to mention year-round growing. Or at least extended seasons and plant protection like you're dealing with.
Totally worth it. I haven't bought lettuce, passata, leeks, cabbage, beans. In the last 12 mths. Also got 10?hens that provide enough eggs all yr round for our family of 6 and the poop is used in the compost. Ive got a lot to learn but it is already paying for itself. Also doing the crops is one of my calming pursuits. Just loose myself completely.
Very nice. I wish I had more space to do this. I just have 2 4x4 beds. Looks like you’re aware of companion planting, don’t grow tomatoes near eggplant or it will increase disease. Throw some basil and marigolds in there for some pest control.
I don't usually companion plant unless it's a climbing plant next to corn. Or maybe cucumbers next to sunflowers. I don't usually pay much attention to "don't plant this next to that" but I keep mindful of it and make sure I rotate where things are planted each year. I'm a little more careful of what's next to what this year though so that I can maximize output and how much I can plant. For example, I normally plant one watermelon if any at all and just let it do whatever it wants. This year, however, I'm planting three and will be training the vines in specific directions. Same with cucumbers.
I usually plant dill and nasturtium for pest control. Nasturtiums are edible top to bottom and draw the aphids. Dill draws the ladybugs. My gardens are always, without exception, a breeding ground for praying mantises. I get all kinds of the little guys all the fuck over my garden. They keep the tomato pests away, too. And there's a hawk that guards my garden every year. He keeps the squirrels away.
[ + ] Ffat20
[ - ] Ffat20 3 points 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 05:53:36 ago (+3/-0)
started the germination process last week; posts like this are getting me antsy for warmer weather!
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 17:22:29 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] 2017Fallout
[ - ] 2017Fallout 0 points 2 yearsApr 19, 2022 03:14:51 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Ffat20
[ - ] Ffat20 0 points 2 yearsApr 19, 2022 20:20:31 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Fuzzybob13
[ - ] Fuzzybob13 2 points 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 09:09:25 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] the_noticer
[ - ] the_noticer 2 points 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 07:39:44 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] Epictetus
[ - ] Epictetus 2 points 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 07:26:49 ago (+2/-0)
I was doing a similar thing with my neighbors up until this year, putting it out on a table for anyone to take. Everything is getting processed for storage this year, and my son is putting winter squash and melons out to sell for a few bucks to make money.
I've found that once the garden proper was fully set, it was easy to take a new section and turn it into garden each year. I added another 250sqft of fully prepped rows this year, and have a 600sqft section that is being prepped to turn into garden next year.
Id recommend setting a section aside each year and putting in a cover crop mix, then leaving it through winter. It really helps keep the ground from getting compacted and you will see a lot more soil life when you plant on it in spring.
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 17:34:59 ago (+1/-0)
The amount of earthworms under the mulch is absolutely insane. And I'm not terribly worried about compaction. For whatever reason, as I was planting seeds, I found a LOT of little pockets of loose dirt or just plainly air pockets. It's not moles or anything; I dug a few up and it's just... air pockets. Little air pockets. This is ground that's been walked all over a little over a year now so the mulch and worms are doing their jobs, I guess.
Aye, the hard work is just prepping the area. Adding to it is easy. I didn't want to make any more of that part of the yard a garden area so when I prepped it, I did the max size I wanted.
Ultimately, I want a yard that's completely edible year round. Hence the herbs and fruits. I figure if I can keep an edible yard, not only will it be low(er) maintenance, I'll reduce my grocery bill all the time and increase the value of the property if/when I sell.
[ + ] Epictetus
[ - ] Epictetus 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 19:06:52 ago (+1/-0)
I've got about 8k seed starts this year, not including stuff that I'll start in situ once the soil warms up. Hopefully I'll be getting more fruit this year now that the earliest planted trees have reached full maturity.
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 20:53:01 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Epictetus
[ - ] Epictetus 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 21:13:28 ago (+1/-0)
I only do one acre, which is about the extent of what I could manage without help.
We were discussing it this weekend though and it would probably be less work with more land, because you would have room for error and failure. I have absolutely zero room for failure if I expect to feed my family off what I produce.
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 22:30:38 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] Epictetus
[ - ] Epictetus 0 points 2 yearsApr 19, 2022 09:35:18 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] RabbiKinderschtupper
[ - ] RabbiKinderschtupper 2 points 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 07:12:27 ago (+2/-0)
I've got 45 corn plants going. Here's hoping I do better than last year with those. I'm going to be companion planting as well.
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 17:43:16 ago (+1/-0)
I tried to plant foods that you could mix all together and make dishes from without having to go to the store much. Loaded spaghetti sauces, stir fries, meat loaf ingredients, casseroles, soups, and so on.
I don't get a lot of luck with potatoes... maybe 5 pounds worth from 3 plants.
I don't usually companion plant unless it's a climbing plant next to corn. Or maybe cucumbers next to sunflowers. I don't usually pay much attention to "don't plant this next to that" but I keep mindful of it and make sure I rotate where things are planted each year. I'm a little more careful of what's next to what this year though so that I can maximize output and how much I can plant. For example, I normally plant one watermelon if any at all and just let it do whatever it wants. This year, however, I'm planting three and will be training the vines in specific directions. Same with cucumbers.
[ + ] 2017Fallout
[ - ] 2017Fallout 2 points 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 06:30:42 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 17:23:49 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] 2017Fallout
[ - ] 2017Fallout 0 points 2 yearsApr 19, 2022 03:14:00 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] MrPancake
[ - ] MrPancake 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 16:30:18 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 17:43:30 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] SteppingRazor
[ - ] SteppingRazor 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 11:18:11 ago (+1/-0)
Looks like you’re aware of companion planting, don’t grow tomatoes near eggplant or it will increase disease.
Throw some basil and marigolds in there for some pest control.
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 17:45:53 ago (+1/-0)
I usually plant dill and nasturtium for pest control. Nasturtiums are edible top to bottom and draw the aphids. Dill draws the ladybugs. My gardens are always, without exception, a breeding ground for praying mantises. I get all kinds of the little guys all the fuck over my garden. They keep the tomato pests away, too. And there's a hawk that guards my garden every year. He keeps the squirrels away.
[ + ] Youdgetfuckedfaggot
[ - ] Youdgetfuckedfaggot 1 point 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 09:26:21 ago (+1/-0)
That chocolate mint is where it's at
[ + ] totes_magotes
[ - ] totes_magotes [op] 0 points 2 yearsApr 18, 2022 17:28:00 ago (+0/-0)