Paul Wheaton’s new Kickstarter features Helen Atthowe and her ecological approach to the Garden Master Course. Paul is making videos of the course hosted at Wheaton Labs. You can help make this happen and get gobs of permaculture goodies when you pledge here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/paulwheaton/garden-master?ref=w9xyhe
Vegetable Gardening
19 Comments
First
Great Video!
I'm really interested to she how she would do things differently in your garden.
You're welcome
I'm wondering if you could broad fork and till. We have sandy clay that compacts over the season here in NE AL. When it's dry, it will get hydrophobic, so I have to keep it watered and covered with something to prevent that. I broad fork my beds once every year or two depending on what I'm growing in them. I've been experimenting with soaker hoses bought on clearance each season to lay on top of the beds for the month or two that we have to water. It's not great, but helps. One thing I did this year that slowed down the crazy weed issues getting into the beds from the walkways was too add sides to the beds. Who'd a thought 6 inch barrier would help me control Bermuda grass and the other creeping rhizome grass nightmares I have in the garden? I had to widen my walkways enough to get the push mower through and I bag the clippings for the chickens and ducks. I made the beds 4ft wide. I can't afford mulch and have trouble sourcing enough free mulch or compost. I did use wooden weed block fabric between beds with sides in half on the garden. That really eliminated weeding problems but allows voles, field mice and rats to burrow under the fabric into the garden beds and the cats can't catch them. Seems like there's always new problems with solutions to old problems in the garden. Hope you find solutions without new problems.
Look like you need a proper garden tiller a good second hand one will do one that's bigger than that one , one that will get down into the soil a better depth and this is the time the year to do it, fertiliser soil conditioning should be animal poo, and composted green waist if you have any—get it all into the soil with a good tiller rotavator then it can do its magic over winter ready for planting come growing season, plus plant the crop rows a tillers width apart or more depending on what your growing then when the weeds come up between the rows you can reduce the width of the blades tynes on the tiller by taking the snap pins out and then go between the rows and blitz the weeds, you don't want any weeds at all if possible because they suck the goodness out of the soil that your crops need, companion planting is good as well using one crop next to another to detour insect pests work's as well, check your soil with a soil test it very important to get the right balance , try emailing the RHS—-Royal Horticultural Society—-here in Britain we have professionally trained expert's in gardening that look after the very best gardens you'll will ever see, they like us gardener's and can offer free advice .
You need to get large sheets of black agricultural or landscaping fabric that blocks weeds but lets water run through it. The reason why this works is it kills weeds and creates a sanctuary for worms and beneficial things in the soil that need the warmth, moisture, and soil looseness that is created by this fabric. Cut it in long sheets maybe 4 or 5 feet wide and line them against each other so you get have enough room to fit your hand in between 2 sheets. Then in that space pack it full of plants and let them sprawl out over the sides of the fabric. Put cardboard under the fabric to extend the life of it. At the end of the growing season lift it up, apply manure and compost and put the cardboard and fabric back down and it's ready for the spring. It's mulch that pays for itself in food production and is reusable.
You work so hard. I hope that your dear hubby and kids are kind, supportive AND HELPFUL ❤️ 💙
Ecosystems depend on the interaction between plants and animals. Manure is required to maintain a healthy soil micro biome. Composting alone won’t do the whole job.
What about Korean Natural Farming JADAM. Dirt cheap too!
No doubt you will find the combo of techniques that will work for hou. You are amazing and a real learner. You have a great guru in in Paul. Sounds like she a great guide to your next step.
Chris Trump and Korean natural farming along with Jadam which allows you to make your own inputs. Conditions soil, build biology and gives foilar application at a cheap onsite availability might also be helpful. You had gotten the Jadam book some time back.
We all are convident in you and sending you good energy for this journey.
Excited to learn about this master class!
Your raised beds and 100 dollar greenhouse are amazing value. Imbuilding mine now for this winter.
I consider them on levelof of innovation with Jean Paine, you have created a tool that could launch cold weather gardening to a whole new level.
Just keep swimming 🙂
Yes if Helen trained w Fukuoko that is amazing! What a gift to start into regenerative ag.
Wow checked out the kickstarter. Helen is Wow incredible! Thank you for sharing this. Definitley will support this kickstarter!
Oh my god – those red peppers – i have to learn Helens techniques
Thank you for your informative videos. If this could be a help, on my homestead I use the hens to remove all the grass and other plants and fertilize, and then I aerate the soil if necessary before sowing. If done at the right time, it works well for little work and very little money. I have chicken coops on wheels that I move with electric nets.
Why aren't you rotating your animals through those spaces? I know it's alot of work and more fencing…
Blessings to you and yours in Christ Jesus name amen 🙏
David the Good, Grocery Row Gardening.