DIY: Raised Bed Reclamation

Raised bed run amok.

With cardboard mulch.

Raised beds that were cardboard mulched last season.

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When I first got into gardening, it was with a zest and Tasmanian devil-whirlwind approach that almost did me in. I had lists upon lists. I created insurmountable projects. I worked until my back screamed 'Uncle.' Moving out to our five acres almost paralyzed me. So much land. So much to do. The lists multiplied by three, by six, by nine. I started to lose sight of it all.

Then something shifted. My pace became more plodding. I could laugh at my mistakes. The pressure was off. I made peace with my garden. I liken it to ants and their ant hills. Each small step could be a contribution. Each seed, each bulb, each new plant had possibilities that I could relish and appreciate.

I am almost eight months pregnant, but still wanted to get out in the vegetable garden yesterday - to enjoy the smell of the soil, some sun and the balmy 60-degree weather. I needed to feel closer to the earth and to the mountains. Even if it was only for half-an-hour.

I have two raised beds that are overgrown and need major overhauls. So, I weeded one corner of one bed yesterday and put down cardboard. Cardboard is a great mulch. Last year I used it on three other beds to smother remaining weeds over the winter. I then pulled up the cardboard in the spring and fed the beds with compost and shredded leaves. They have been on their best behavior ever since. Beautiful, dark soil with lots of fluff and air to it.

Winter garden projects. One corner at a time.

Cover Crops: The Hub-Bub

I don't know about you, but the vagueness of the term cover crop just confused me more than absolutely necessary. As did green manure. But I don't see things changing on the re-definition or re-naming front.

What I do know is that these plantings are valuable to the soil on so many different levels. So, we'll just need to work with what we have.

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For the most accurate and accessible definitions, I turned to the experts. In this case, Johnny's Selected Seeds.

A cover crop is a "crop grown to cover the soil and prevent erosion."

A green manure "replenishes organic matter. Nutrients are released in the topsoil as the green manure decomposes."

A smother crop "is used in new ground or in weed-infested soil to out compete the weeds."

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For heavy, poorly-drained soil - try soybeans, sunflowers or white clover.

For compacted soil - try buckwheat, clovers, alfalfa or any clover.

Weedy areas can be conquered with red clover, soybeans, sunflowers, buckwheat or hairy vetch.

If your soil lacks nitrogen - try legumes, chickling vetch, winter rye, hairy vetch.

Oats are a general great green manure.

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Cover crops by season (when to sow . . . ):

• Spring - oats, spring wheat, chickling vetch, red clover, sweet clover, ryegrass
• Spring/Summer - hairy vetch, red clover, sweet clover, summer alfalfa, buckwheat, soybeans, sunflowers
• Late summer - crimson clover, purple tansy, ryegrass
• Fall - red clover, ryegrass, winter rye

I am testing out two crops this year - buckwheat and red clover . . . and am starting small in those experiments (less heartbreak; less frustration). For many of these crops, incorporating them back into the soil is a big component for success. I need to be able to do that with a simple hoe. Fingers crossed.

Phew. A LOT of ground to cover - so-to-speak. Hope this - at the very least - peaks your interest.

Suppliers of cover crops:
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange
Johnny's Selected Seeds

Peat Alternative for the Rest-of-Us

Hooray! My little shipment of Coco-Peat just arrived. Very exciting in my gardening-nerd world. I'll be able to spend time this weekend creating concoctions of seed starting and potting soil mixes.

Some details and notes from the supplier regarding Coco-Peat (a.k.a. coir):

1. They come in small bricks and you just add 4 quarts of water per brick - to 'reconstitute' the peat.
2. Coco-Peat is from a renewable resource - husk fiber - which is a waste product from the coconut harvesting process.
3. It is naturally resistant to mold and fungal growth.
4. It has natural rooting hormones.
5. Makes a great bedding material for worm bins.
6. Can be reused for up to 4 years.
7. Can be used in seeds starting mixes, container plant mixes, garden beds and hydroponics.
8. It holds 8-9 times its weight in water vs. traditional peat - which tends to just shed water.

I ordered my bricks from Golden Harvest Organics but there is also a great local supplier - Countryside Natural Products - in Fishersville, VA (Thanks again for the tip, Janet!) . It looks like they offer shipping options, as well.

According to Golden Harvest, "[Typical] peat moss is strip mined from peat bogs, which are a non-renewable sensitive eco-system." Eeek. Coco-peat. Enough said.

DIY - Organic At-Home Potting Soil Mixes

This year, I am going to try making my own potting soil. I remember learning about soil mixes in an organic gardening class a few years back and thinking it was so involved. So, I've spent a few seasons now, searching all over for organic potting soil mixes (expensive) and lugging big bags of the stuff to my gardening workspace (exhausting).

Turns out, it doesn't need to be a hassle - and I'm pretty sure it'll save money (and my back) throughout the growing season. I just needed to find the recipe with the most familiar ingredients (also meaning the most accessible ingredients).

I'll mix and store each mix in those big Tupperware boxes that are usually used for linen and sweater storage - you know the ones - with the snap on lip. These are especially useful because you can stack them - making storage even easier.

Basic Potting Mix

4 parts peat moss** (mixing 1/2 oz. of dolomitic limestone per gallon of peat)
1 part compost
1 part perlite

Potting Mix with Punch

4 parts sphagnum peat**
2 parts compost
1 part small bark chips (composted)
1 part perlite
4 oz. dolomitic limestone
4 oz. bonemeal
1 pound greensand
2 oz. bloodmeal
2 oz. kelp meal

I have found almost all of these materials at the local home improvement box store - which makes it much more do-able. Also, **Peat moss has some more environmentally-friendly options - including coco-peat. I have been able to find that at the local hippie-food store, but I am sure there are some website suppliers, as well.

Here's to dreaming of dirt!