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We have been talking about adding a row garden into the north field all winter. We actually started planning it last fall but just didn't get it done for spring. My husband wants to grow corn, melons, and some of the larger plants in this garden so my raised bed garden stays neat and tidy. I thought, no problem, I only work 3 days per week, I can handle it. He said he thought 100 x 40 would be a nice size. I agreed. Did I mention I don't visualize very well? Well in reality that is 1/3 of a football field. Dammit. He scraped it off and called me to come look at it. Crap. That is one big area. I actually started to panic. I don't sleep if things still need weeding. I know I have mentioned my 'issues' with mild OCD. Well, that is one of the ways it manifests itself. Still have weeds, no sleep. This picture does not truly represent the scope of the size here. I had a better picture from the other end but the barn is in that picture and the barn is very ugly. I am not really ready to show off an ugly old (old is the key word here) milking barn. No, I don't milk cows. There is just so much cement in the flooring in that barn, it's easier to leave it standing and let the goats live in it, than to dynamite all the cement out of it. It really was a masterpiece of engineering for it's day. Maybe I will show you the barn someday:D
I have some plans as to how to build this garden. My husband want a true old fashioned row garden he can weed with a rototiller. I want permanent paths with slightly raised wide rows in a no-till garden. I have a feeling it will be a combination of both. Corn, his way. Everything else my way. See how we compromise? I want the path down the center and one perpendicular to that to be drivable with a garden tractor or four-wheeler. That will make adding compost much easier every year. I will draw a big map of what I envision and let you all help me plan it better. I love input. That will be tomorrow. Today, you get to see the site of the future end of my free time. The excavator is coming on Friday and the Bobcat will likely follow. Even in a no-till garden, if you are converting field to garden you must till it first. Then plan to be kind to the soil for the rest of your life.
Heather,
ReplyDeleteWeeds lets see you have goats, end of story if it gets too bad. Think of weeds this way, if you want lots of butterflies you WANT WEEDS.
On the serious side you will have a lot of fresh veggies to eat or can up or feed the neighbors.
You are very lucky to have so much room and such nice black soil! Very overwhelming too. If you break it down into small manageable sections it will be okay-or at least not SO bad. I say give him half for his corn, you can rotate vining crops into the space each year so it is not a problem for use. Then build those permanent paths and some beds into the area. Check out French Intensive Method of gardening so you can see how to do it up right. This helped me with veggie gardening. I swear by it. And, if it continues to overwhelm you, don't stress so much-it's just gardening after all and you can tell the hubby to get his rototiller out:)
ReplyDeleteWhat she said . . . LOL sounds good to me. Gee, I wonder if that's why I don't sleep at all. I'm a walking zombie. You are lucky to have so much land and nice soil.
ReplyDeleteDid you say Shasta Lake? How far away - we love going there every chance we get - Mother In Law and Brother In Law live there.
Great soil, Heather! But I think there's an easier way to deal with this and still sleep at night (I know how that is, I'm an expert at lying awake planning everything when I should be getting some much-needed rest): Give the new plot to your husband and let him do whatever he wants with it. Meanwhile, enjoy your tidy raised beds and never, ever look over at the new garden. It will work for both of you, trust me!
ReplyDeleteGoodness Heather, you and your sweetheart are going to be very busy. Don't overdo it, (says one who does not always follow her own advise.)
ReplyDeleteBen has some good advise. *chuckle*
What a beautiful picture Heather.... I don't know anything about gardens but I do know photography and I loved your pic up there!
ReplyDeleteWell, you definitely won't be bored for awhile! I think you're lucky to have all that space!
ReplyDeleteI can see why you are a little stressed....that is one HUGE garden area! I think starting out with half that size, then increasing if you need to next year would be a good plan. I prefer the wide row method, so that after the initial tilling(s) the soil layers won't be disturbed. And then mulch, mulch, mulch for weeds. Do you have access to straw?
ReplyDeleteHeather, here's my plan for you. You hire Kim and I to tend your garden. Let's see, with room and board and some spending money we would be perfectly happy keeping you asleep as we keep your garden weed free. A really win-win situation don't you think? ha ha ha!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that huge plot!
Oh, I think the picture DOES do it justice. 100 x 40? My entire yard is 55 x 30!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to keep posting pictures of your progress! :D
Goodness sakes girl - that IS a project! But, just think, by summer's end you can open a farm stand at the end of your driveway and sell all those luscious melons, sweet corn and other goodies! Eating local...that's what it's about!
ReplyDeleteGet some good sleep tonight, Heather! You will need it! That's a big plot! LOL!
ReplyDeleteOh, poor Heather! I thought I had it bad when Gourdo planted 36 tomato plants one year--back when we lived in a house without air conditioning and insulation. He suggested I can those things inside my 90 degree, 90% humidity kitchen. Needless to say, there was a disagreement about what to do. We still have tomato plants growing from our compost heap! lol As far as corn goes, it takes a lot of room and you can't weed after it gets very tall anyway. But deciding what to do with the harvest will be a challenge. I see a lot of work ahead for you, whether you weed or not!
ReplyDeleteHi Heather,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my place and for leaving a comment.
I would love to have chickens of my own but I live where they are not welcome. I have thought about a very small coop hidden near the back of the garden. Maybe someday...
With your new garden space you will be so busy! But think of all the yummy goodness to come from it!!!
Wow! That is one huge space. Just think of all that fresh sweetcorn. Mmmm.
ReplyDeleteOMG Heather, 100 X 40...are you nuts?? LOL :) Actually, what gardener wouldn't love all that land! The soil look so dark and rich before the tilling..I can see the GIANT melons already!
ReplyDeleteALL I can say is MULCH 6" Thick.
ReplyDeleteJohn