2015 Garden Efforts
This year was definitely a learning year on the garden front. We planted several gardens and had varying success, from a good yield, to a zero yield, depending on the plot. Our main vegetable garden provided a robust harvest, but could have certainly been better if we had planned a little more effectively, weeded more consistently and managed the plant growth better. Overall though it provided enough to enjoy through the summer and also can and dehydrate a fair bit.
Our “animal garden” was a complete bust, providing no pumpkins or corn. I think that was a combination of soil prep (or lack of) and also inadequate sunlight.
The raised beds (we have 6) provided a crazy growth once they got started, but were very slow to start relative to the main garden. We are looking at a second harvest of peppers, tomatoes and a number of herbs. We also got a great crop of basil, mint, catnip and other similar crops.
Lessons Learned:
Soil amendment is key, especially in the first year.
- Mounding, or otherwise protecting from flooding pays dividends! (Jessica’s idea and it saved our garden in heavy rains)
- Properly staking fruit heavy plants early is a must before they get away from you.
- Watch the full sun path and plan for the canopy of near by trees to fill out if you are looking in early spring.
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