How an old gardener makes a garden...
1. start watching how the sun hits the places you are planning to plant at least one year early, from winter to fall.
2. use cardboard like walmart and amazon boxes, no boxes with shiny colors on the outside.
You do not have to use boards to make long boxes, that is just to keep it looking tidy
Winter
3. cover everything with cardboard, planting area, walking area, at least 6 inches to either side of each to smother grasses/weeds
4. cover planting areas cardboard with soiled straw from goats, chickens, cattle, horses at least 6 inches thick, weigh it down with pallets to prevent the wind from scattering and the animals from using it as a potty box
5. Sort thru seed catalogs to find what you would like to plant. Check your local plant nursery to see what works for your area as soon as they open. Dollar stores have the same seed, only cheaper. Check package for the current year.
Early Spring
If you want to start your seed in the house, know it takes more time, effort and money, plus room. I never have started seed
1. put more soiled straw on planting areas. Get to know farmers with livestock, they are usually happy to have you cart it off.
2. Start a compost pile with the extra soiled straw. Put grass clippings, torn up cardboard, all non meat or dairy ends and pieces of plants used for meals. Coffee grounds and crushed egg shells work great. Turn this pile at least once a month to give it air and to get it to do it's magic. Compost piles will take a year or more to make usable compost. If you need manure, buy a bag that has been made to be used in holes for squash, etc. you can put soiled straw in the holes instead.
The only thing I buy is seed that I haven't saved from the previous year. Anyone who donated the boxes, etc gets a portion of the harvest. I also use old plastic swimming pools, grow bags, planters, and even an old tree stump.
How an old gardener makes a garden...
1. start watching how the sun hits the places you are planning to plant at least one year early, from winter to fall.
2. use cardboard like walmart and amazon boxes, no boxes with shiny colors on the outside.
You do not have to use boards to make long boxes, that is just to keep it looking tidy
Winter
3. cover everything with cardboard, planting area, walking area, at least 6 inches to either side of each to smother grasses/weeds
4. cover planting areas cardboard with soiled straw from goats, chickens, cattle, horses at least 6 inches thick, weigh it down with pallets to prevent the wind from scattering and the animals from using it as a potty box
5. Sort thru seed catalogs to find what you would like to plant. Check your local plant nursery to see what works for your area as soon as they open. Dollar stores have the same seed, only cheaper. Check package for the current year.
Early Spring
If you want to start your seed in the house, know it takes more time, effort and money, plus room. I never have started seed
1. put more soiled straw on planting areas. Get to know farmers with livestock, they are usually happy to have you cart it off.
2. Start a compost pile with the extra soiled straw. Put grass clippings, torn up cardboard, all non meat or dairy ends and pieces of plants used for meals. Coffee grounds and crushed egg shells work great. Turn this pile at least once a month to give it air and to get it to do it's magic. Compost piles will take a year or more to make usable compost. If you need manure, buy a bag that has been made to be used in holes for squash, etc. you can put soiled straw in the holes instead.
The only thing I buy is seed that I haven't saved from the previous year. Anyone who donated the boxes, etc gets a portion of the harvest. I also use old plastic swimming pools, grow bags, planters, and even an old tree stump.