All posts by : Laurie

We've begun sheet mulching Terrace #3. Here is a good article explaining the sheet mulching  First, we put down one layer of manure (TGFH-Thank God for Horses).  Then, a layer of cardboard to keep weeds from reaching the surface.  Then we took some time to map out where we want walkways to access our vegetables, and covered these with dirt.  Next Tim watered down the cardboard so the dampness will help it break down with the manure.Next, we put another layer of manure over the cardboard, on the ...

Tim has completed tiers 1,2,3 & 4, and some sloping below #4.  It looks great. The tractor could use some maintenance, but has held up pretty well. (THANKS for all your hard work, honey!)  The next step will be to start our sheet mulching (or composting) to prepare the soil.  First we will put down cardboard to stop the weeds from coming up and to give the worms a nice, damp spot underneath where they can go and do their thing.  (Eventually the cardboard will break down and allow roots from ...

The seedlings are coming along nicely.  Tomatoes:  3 varieties (Brandywine, Roma & Sugar Sweeties)  are nearing 1.5" and looking good.  I bought a "Topsy Turvy Upside Down Tomato Planter" which will hang from the porch and grow upside down.  We'll give that a try just for kicks.  It was only $10 at Target.  Peppers: Pepperoncini and Jalapeno are just beginning to make an appearance.  California Wonder and Yolo Wonder are barely beginning to show.  Most were planted 2/20-22, others 2/27.  Art ...

We got some more railroad ties, and Tim is busily putting them in.  It's hard to see, but there is one terrace behind the one in front, slightly higher.  Tim is carefully flattening out each level, and when he's done next week we will begin "sheet mulching", a form of layered composting.  We should be able to plant tall things in the back, to allow the sun to hit the shorter items in front.  We are collecting information about what vegetables like to be planted together or away from each other, ...

While Laurie is reading gardening books, planting & watering seedlings, Tim is working hard on our landscaping to create terraces.

Tim finished building the grow bench downstairs on Thursday, so Friday I got busy planting seeds.  Several are planted now, but I needed to buy a few more, so today I will plant those.  It will be fun to watch them grow!Later, Tim got out the tractor and began to dig out the area we will terrace.  First, he needs to fix the retaining wall he'd had there, then we'll terrace the hill there, with "lasagna gardening". This book was recommended, and looks great.  It explains a form of "sheet mulching ...