Author Topic: Gardening! (Read 1200 times)

Matthew · « **on:** March 31, 2014, 10:38:10 AM »

I just bought a new book, re-kindled my interest in growing some stuff around here, and I've taken some solid steps toward getting back into gardening again.

I also have some ideas on how to get fruit trees growing on this exhausted farmland.

http://www.cathinfo.com/catholic.php/Want-to-be-a-genius-at-Agriculture

Sepp Holzer has inspired me.

I'm going to use some of his secrets/techniques to harness the land I have here.

I'm building the first of (2) 4x8' raised beds. The first is almost full of dirt mix and should be ready for planting by tonight! Then I just have to do the whole thing again *sigh*

I read this book years ago, and it taught me more than anything else:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1591865484/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1591865484&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

I'm going to use Square Foot Gardening principles, more or less, which are very similar to Sepp Holzer's. They both advocate variety, sustainability, lack of back-breaking labor, use of natural water/nutrient sources (compost), lack of pesticides, etc.

Mel Bartholomew and Sepp Holzer BOTH believe in pulling necessary weeds and leaving them in the garden, roots-up, to dry out and add to the soil. I'm sure they'd get along :)

Mabel · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2014, 12:57:30 PM »

I will have to check those out.
I don't have a garden or space for one but I read a lot of gardening/self sufficiency books.

Here is one I liked:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1603421386/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1603421386&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

Matthew · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:07:07 PM »

That book looks very tempting!

This one is also appealing to me in a different way. It might tell me some of the specifics I need, and it's only $10!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580117104/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580117104&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

Ambrose · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2014, 01:16:43 PM »

It is important to know what agricultural zone you live in, and plan accordingly.

This interactive map makes this easy, and tells you exactly what will grow in your zone:

http://www.gurneys.com/zone_finder

Matthew · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:34:09 PM »

Quote from: Ambrose

It is important to know what agricultural zone you live in, and plan accordingly.

This interactive map makes this easy, and tells you exactly what will grow in your zone:

http://www.gurneys.com/zone_finder

Thanks for the link!

It looks like I'm in Zone 8.

shin · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:46:54 PM »

I like the info on drilling your own well! I had no idea that it was so simple!

shin · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:48:49 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

Quote from: Ambrose
It is important to know what agricultural zone you live in, and plan accordingly.

This interactive map makes this easy, and tells you exactly what will grow in your zone:

http://www.gurneys.com/zone_finder

Thanks for the link!

It looks like I'm in Zone 8.

Sounds like a great zone for bamboo! Quick growing, looks good, lots of material for crafts projects whenever you want it.

I have to look at 'cold hardy' varieties of a # of things I'd like to grow. But I can live with that! Haha!

Matthew · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:49:42 PM »

Ok -- here's the next book I'm about to order.

"Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580170277/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580170277&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

I've heard this book recommended about a dozen different times and in a dozen different places.

Indeed, it has 550,000 copies in print! And on Amazon it has 4.5 stars out of 5 -- I've never seen a book with a higher rating.

Find out what vegetables help each other grow, and which vegetables can't stand each other! A super-important resource for just NINE DOLLARS -- and that's if you want a brand-new copy.

Mabel · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:55:30 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

Ok -- here's the next book I'm about to order.

"Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580170277/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580170277&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

I've heard this book recommended about a dozen different times and in a dozen different places.

Indeed, it has 550,000 copies in print! And on Amazon it has 4.5 stars out of 5 -- I've never seen a book with a higher rating.

Find out what vegetables help each other grow, and which vegetables can't stand each other! A super-important resource for just NINE DOLLARS -- that's the price of a brand-new copy.

That books contains a chapter on soil improvement. I think that alone would make it a worthwhile read.

Matthew · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2014, 02:59:02 PM »

Yes, I'm certainly looking forward to getting my copy -- just 2 more days! :)

One reviewer said he finally bought a copy after borrowing his neighbor's a bunch of times.

It's the kind of book you can't borrow (from a friend or the library) because you really need your own copy as a reference book.

Soil improvement is one of the things I really need to focus on. I just learned from Sepp Holzer that I need to preserve all biomass/humus that I can get my hands on. Even thorn bushes and thistles need to be buried in raised beds rather than burnt. Same goes for cardboard.

I have these huge reed-like plants (weeds) that grow super tall when it's wet, and then they dry out and form bamboo-like stalks (sometimes 10 feet tall). They usually fall over on their own, and just lay there. I burnt a pile of them just last week -- but those would be *perfect* mulch and ground cover. I know that's what Sepp would recommend. He says we should use whatever resources we have at hand.

Marlelar · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2014, 06:54:35 PM »

Quote from: Matthew

Ok -- here's the next book I'm about to order.

"Carrots Love Tomatoes: Secrets of Companion Planting for Successful Gardening"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1580170277/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1580170277&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwchanco-20

I've heard this book recommended about a dozen different times and in a dozen different places.

Indeed, it has 550,000 copies in print! And on Amazon it has 4.5 stars out of 5 -- I've never seen a book with a higher rating.

Find out what vegetables help each other grow, and which vegetables can't stand each other! A super-important resource for just NINE DOLLARS -- and that's if you want a brand-new copy.

This is a wonderful book, I HIGHLY recommend it.

Marsha

Mabel · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2014, 08:29:36 PM »

I've also enjoyed Backwoods Home Magazine, not so fond of the jokes but in terms of practical knowledge, I learn so much from it every month.

Marlelar · « **Reply #12 on:** April 01, 2014, 06:36:08 PM »

Here's an interesting site:
Acres USA

Marsha

shin · « **Reply #13 on:** April 03, 2014, 03:08:33 AM »

Right now staring at seed catalogs and reading homesteading articles is my entertainment. : D

Matthew · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2014, 10:28:26 AM »

Making good progress on my permaculture farm *grin*

So far I have a couple 4' X 8' concrete block raised garden beds (one still needs soil) and I've dug a small ditch downstream from an apple tree, and using the dirt to make a swale to catch and redirect/store more rainwater.

I've done lots of reading, watching, and stuff outside. Trying to put my land to use (finally). I'm sick of my soil being so exposed, dry and hard. It's pure clay. I'm determined now to hoard organic matter like a miser and build up the soil. Mulch is my new best friend! And I don't have to buy it from the store -- I can use stuff growing around here (and stuff I will plant) to produce said mulch.

I'll never burn good biomass again. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa!