I've looked around a bit but don't see where there is a gardening thread . I suspect there are a number of gardeners here as I know we have been passionate gardeners for a long time. Veggies, fruits, herbs, nuts, grapes...anything that grows in the south.
I started building a new raised bed yesterday { can you ever have too many beds? } . Plus I am converting about a ~ 50' x 50' section of yard over to garden. My approach is based loosely on what has become colloquially known as the ' back to eden ' concept. I'm starting with fresh horse manure mixed with wood chips. I amend the manure with blood meal, azomite, organic fertilizer, biochar, kelp meal, oyster meal, and magnesium sulfate then will let the mix compost and melt down. In the next few weeks I'm adding about 6-8" of wood chips on top of the pile and let everything sit for the summer. Should be ready to go for the fall garden.
I've been experimenting with this approach for a few years now and very pleased. The garden is essentially weed free, holds and manages moisture extremely well...almost never have to water except to start plants,. The soil gets a dose of compost tea from the chips every time it rains. I'm using less and less amendments every year.Brix scores improve every year. And on and on.
Here's the start of the new beds.
I started building a new raised bed yesterday { can you ever have too many beds? } . Plus I am converting about a ~ 50' x 50' section of yard over to garden. My approach is based loosely on what has become colloquially known as the ' back to eden ' concept. I'm starting with fresh horse manure mixed with wood chips. I amend the manure with blood meal, azomite, organic fertilizer, biochar, kelp meal, oyster meal, and magnesium sulfate then will let the mix compost and melt down. In the next few weeks I'm adding about 6-8" of wood chips on top of the pile and let everything sit for the summer. Should be ready to go for the fall garden.
I've been experimenting with this approach for a few years now and very pleased. The garden is essentially weed free, holds and manages moisture extremely well...almost never have to water except to start plants,. The soil gets a dose of compost tea from the chips every time it rains. I'm using less and less amendments every year.Brix scores improve every year. And on and on.
Here's the start of the new beds.