Corn!

When we moved into our new house 3 months ago, I knew I wanted to get something - anything - in the ground. Because I finally could. It was to be a celebration of finally having a home with enough land to plant a productive garden. By the time we moved in and were quasi-settled, it was late June - late for planting, but buying and planting seeds were to be my reward for the stressful, rough 6 months that we endured to get where we were. So, I though, corn! We had this crazy 3-sided stockade fence in the backyard, so I thought that would be a good place to plant the corn. In the ground it went. I wasn't optimistic, with the clay and rock we have for "soil." But green shoots started coming up, and lo and behold, we might actually get a few ears!

I'm still not optimistic, however, because I did it all wrong. First, I planted 2 different varieties. After some research, I found that you should only plant one variety, as if the corn cross-pollinates, then they end up tough. Tough corn is not my ideal. Next, I found out that because corn is wind-pollinated, you should plant in blocks, for the best chance of the flowers (ears) being pollinated. No pollination = no corn. My rows and widely spaced corn didn't stand much of a chance by itself, so I've been hand pollinating. One variety has a possibility of all of 3 ears (!) and the other just one. Oh well. I'm excited that something came up that even resembles corn. And the good thing is, now I know much better ways to set up for success next year!

Progress

It's been a busy few days. We had the tree guys come last week, and they took down two enormous trees, so as to let light into my garden area. One was an ash, the other an oak, and both were about 60 feet tall. I got to see the oak being felled, and it was a sight! Actually the sound was just as impressive - a loud cracking thunder. Quite amazingly actually, as they had to drive down our (most agreeable) neighbor's side yard (aka rock gully) in order to hook up the truck to the tree to ensure the tree fell where intended. 

The tree guys suggested we might be able to sell our felled trees to a lumber yard or similar, which might finance the cost of the tree removal. Sounded good to us! Unfortunately it didn't pan out, as all the places wanted several trees, not just two, in order to make it worth their while to get their trucks and equipment out to do said removal. On well. We were connected with the Wood Turners Association of Massachusetts - a group who might be able to at least take the wood out of our yard. We were agreeable to this for the ash, but decided to keep the oak for perhaps cutting I to planks next year, or, at the very least, for use as firewood. Anyway, one guy came to our door Saturday morning to discuss this with my husband. He said great, as discussed, half of the ash tree is all yours. My husband then left to run some errands, and I took my boys to the playground to get some much needed exercise. I had a funny feeling, so hurried us all home, and when we returned, I found seven trucks, eleven people, lots of chainsaw noise, the entire ash tree gone, and the oak cut into chunks. To their credit, our new friends stopped immediately when asked, and were gracious about our generosity with the ash. Needless to say, the oak has now been designated for the firewood pile. 

A cucumber!

As I was "going to my gemba" yesterday (checking out where the work is done, i.e. the garden), I noticed... Drum roll please... a cucumber! Because I planted so late, and in such poor soil conditions, I had low (no) expectations. As of late I've had lots of show - plenty of foliage, and even some flowers on the squash and eggplant, but no fruit. So imagine my surprise when I discovered a sweet little cucumber tucked away under its foliage, partially covered by a hosta. It was cause for celebration! I CAN grow! I even noticed tiny, tiny fruits behind some flowers on other plants. Calculating for my lateness in getting things in the ground, I'd say my plants are growing right on schedule.

Action... Finally!

Finally we have action on the garden! The tree guys came yesterday to start the project of removing two large oaks from my garden-to-be area. These puppies are probably 60+ feet tall, so it's no small task. They were able to fell one tree, with only one minor mishap. The first major branch fell onto a soft-top gazebo we have on our deck. Thankfully no one was hurt, and it really just dented one side of the frame. It's not really noticeable, and it still functions, so no harm done. To their credit, the tree guys did offer to pay for it, so I appreciate them doing the right thing.

Today's activities will include bringing down the other tree and to start getting the branches out of the way. We were advised to let the wood sit for a year before splitting, so it will just need to be off to the side. Thankfully we have plenty of room on our property to do that without interfering with the rest of the garden and backyard plans. Here's hoping today is successful!

BEFORE - notice the tree on the right

AFTER - no more tree!

Trees Are Coming Down!

This is a big week - my husband has made arrangements to have the 2 trees that are shadowing my garden-to-be removed this week. Yeah! And he has arranged help over Memorial Day weekend to help build the raised beds. Another yeah! I was scoping out the space this morning with my 8-year old, and I think I'll be updating my original plan of 8x4 beds to 10x4. Eight feet just didn't seem very large  when we were standing out there! We should have more than enough room for four beds, which I think is a good number to start with, with room to expand. So it looks like I'll be leveling the slope next weekend. I can't wait!

Chickens, anyone?

Chickens. I am obsessed with the idea of incorporating chickens into my mini-farm. (I've started using this term for my garden-to-be, as it seems more accurate, as I'm planning for veggies, fruit plants, bushes, and trees, ornamental plants, flowers, and chickens.) I'm currently researching coop designs. The plan is 4-6 hens, breed TBD. (Maybe Silkies, which are beautiful as well as functional!) Free range won't work, with limited backyard space to work with, so a coop and run it is. The website www.backyardchickens.com is the go to place for sharing designs. And this book has been a wonderful resource as well:

Any chicken advice for me? Designs you've found that work well (or not so much), tricks of the trade, I'll take all the help I can get!

Planting in the fall: berries?

Ooh, being the ever-optimistic planter that I am, I just got an email from Burpee suggesting that I can plant fall fruits! I'm excited to include berries in my mini-farm, so of course I jumped to learn more. I need to figure out a space - I was thinking in the front, since the soil is relatively decent (i.e. amended and not the clay and rock I inherited), it gets decent sun - why not? Of course, my eyes usually being bigger than my stomach, I'm interested in blackberry, strawberry, blueberry to start... but how to decide the right variety?? Ah, the joys of gardening. Wish me luck!

Addicted to Planting

So last week I bought seeds (lettuce, etc.) and planted a fall crop. Then this weekend while getting farm fresh veggies, I bought some lettuce and broccoli plants. Of course I did! I planted in 4 areas around the house, including a container on the deck. What I hope to learn is how the different areas, with different sunlight conditions, affect the plants. Well, actually I'm still just desperate for a crop of anoint, and hedging my bets :)

Fall planting

So last night I took my middle son (age:7) out to dinner, and while we were out I took the opportunity to get some seeds. No planning, no strategy, just picked up some seed packets of various lettuce varieties, with visions of freshly picked salads this fall, and in hopes of actually being able to grow something this year at our new house. My husband thinks I'm a little crazy planting so late, and he's probably right. Especially without an actual plan. Now, I've mentioned (ok complained) about the clay, rocks, and slope of the yard. The previous owners actually did do some landscaping, particularly in the front and a bit down one side, so not all the soil is awful. That being said, I did not prepare the soil at all. I'm doubtful anything will actually grow, but hey - you never know, I may get lucky. And when I win the lottery I'll let you know! Happy Friday!

Rain glorious rain

It's raining. Again. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful that I live in a part of the country that doesn't have drought problems. But my plants need sun right now! We move into our new abode the last weekend of May and spent a week unpacking, after which I immediately had to go out of town for a week on a business trip. Needless to say, it was late June before I got seeds in the ground, and even later when I realized I needed to put in plants to even have a chance. Oh, and did I mention my native soil is AWFUL?? It's clay and rock. But still, I didn't want to forgo an opportunity to just get something in the ground and at least see what happens. Not a great strategy, but after 12 years of living in the city and finally having some land to call our own, I was desperate! So I stuck (I mean planted) some lovely heirloom vegetable and fruit seeds in the ground, half expecting a miracle. And no, I didn't get it. Not even half of my seeds came up, and those that did show greenery but no fruit. A little depressing, but not at all surprising. So I was hoping (which we all know won't grow a garden any better!) for a sunny August to make up for my lateness in planting. Well, at least they won't grow thirsty. And summers not quite over. A miracle could still happen! (And when I win the lottery I'll let you know...!)

Gardening blogs

I've been exploring gardening blogs, and wanted to share some of my favorites:

Veggie Gardening Tips: http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/

Kenny from Pennysylvania has been gardening for almost 30 years, and shares his experience and helps others in a well-written, practical, easy and fun read. Thanks Kenny!







Mr. Brown Thumb: http://mrbrownthumb.blogspot.com/

Aimed at newbie gardeners, this blog is full of practical tips for primarily urban gardeners, but truly anyone can learn from (like seed starting - very helpful information!)

Growing the Home Garden: http://www.growingthehomegarden.com/

Dave is a stay at home dad to 3 kids in Tennessee and through his own projects shares learning. Tons of great helpful information about raised beds (of particular interest to me!)

Thanks for being a part of the gardening blog community!

Soil!

Soil is perhaps the most important factor in successful gardening, from what I understand. But what is soil? Dirt from the yard? Broken down compost? Potting soil from the garden center? One book I'm reading (Gardening for Geeks by Christy Wilhelmi) states that potting soil isn't soil at all, but a combination of compost (50%), peat or coir (coconut hulls - 40%), and perlite (10%). The peat or coir hold in moisture and nutrients and perlite just takes up space to keep things light and aerated. So here's my plan to fill my beds.

We are lucky enough in our town that the town offers free compost (!) and since we have a pickup, my plan is to take advantage of living in the town in which I do and bring home truck loads full. Once the plan is in place for the beds (size, quantity, etc.) I can figure out exactly how many loads I'll need. 

The tricky part will be the coir (which I can probably reduce the amount a bit if I mix in some of our own clay soil, which itself is good at retaining moisture and nutrients). So I'll need to scout out sources. And perlite, which I'm guessing is fairly easy to come by at the local garden center.

Any tricks for great soil? 

Weeds

Weeds... There are lots of them in our yard. What approach to take can be confusing. Do I poison them? (With kids and a future veggie garden in the works, this is not my preference). I could take the old fashioned manual labor route and yank/dig them out. Wen doing so I usually end up taking out clumps of earth, too, which in a sloping yard, makes me nervous for erosion. Then I read somewhere about spraying them with vinegar. Might be worth a try. Can't hurt, right? I won't be affecting my soil (like with poison), will I?

Then the long term question of what to really do about the slopes full of grass and weeds. They are too steep to mow, so it's kind of strange there's grass on them anyways. A friend mentioned thyme. I'll have to look into that in terms of how tall does it grow (don't want it to look unruly), but that sounds like an interesting idea - fragrant, decent looking. Or ivy, perhaps. There's a little growing already. The characteristics I want: no maintenance, good looking. Too much to ask for? I hope not!

Stump in the garden

Last night I was surveying my garden to be area while my 2 year old son played on a stump (which also has a huge tree trunk - one of the ones that will be going away) off the back of it. As I surveyed, I wondered how to incorporate the tree trunk int my garden design. I don't want to pay to have the stump ground down - I think it could be an interesting feature. 

A cole of thoughts I had:

1) the stump could be a natural container for planting, along side the beds like this: http://houzz.com/photos/3702803

2) it could be a sitting place 

3) as my two year old has already proven, it could be a natural play area/ mini jungle gym of sorts.

I love the possibilities! Just need to figure out ow everything will flow, both aesthetically and physically!

Planning to Plan

It's pretty daunting - to me anyways - to figure how to turn my dream of a highly productive garden (dare I say mini farm? Maybe... Only if I don't say it in front of my husband!) into a reality. Some of the things I've been thinking about and starting to research, as I put together my plan:

1) pretty much every book I've read, and every person I've talked to, says soil preparation is the key to success. For me, that means figuring out what to do with the clay/rock soil. I think my best bet is raised beds, as I can then start with good soil.

2) before I start planning the raised beds, there are 2 trees in my desired garden area that cast long shadows and must be removed. We have plenty of others so I don't feel badly about it. We've already gotten 2 quotes - widely different - and a third is to come, based on recommendations of friends and neighbors. The plan is no later than September to have them taken down.

3) I need to back up and put together my grand plan of how this backyard might turn into the garden I so desire

4) back to the trees and beds: the area in question is sloped, and must be terraced and leveled in order to provide the foundation for the beds. 

And this list hasn't even touched on the fun part: planning what I want to plant and where everything should go, how/when to start things indoors, etc. To that end, I want to engage my family. If they (especially my kids) have a say in what we plant, the better chance I have, I think, of cultivating their interest in gardening. We have a chalk board wall in our kitchen, so I'm using that to involve my family:

How have you (or do you) involve your family and friends in your pursuits?

P.S. here are some books I'm reading to help me in my planning:

Farmacology: What Innovative Family Farming Can Teach Us About Health and Healing by Daphne Miller (very interesting insights into many non-traditional farming practices, and some effects on the food, the linkages to our health, and the ecological system)

Gardening for Geeks by Christy Wilhelmi (creating a garden, with an eye towards the formulas, etc. involved in some planning. This appeals to my engineering mind!)

My Greenfield

Are you familiar with the term greenfield? I "grew up" in the manufacturing world, and if you don't know, a greenfield is the future site of a brand new facility. My family and I just moved to the 'burbs - almost the country but not quite - and my new yard is my greenfield (no pun intended). It's a back yard with both sloping and level areas, and side yards with major steepness. And I intend to turn it into a major garden - primarily veggies and fruits, but also flowers and other plants. Oh, and a mini apple/fruit tree orchard. And did I mention I want chickens? Now, to be honest, I don't even like birds (in fact, they kind of scare me), but I'm in love with the idea of fresh eggs. And I have a husband and 3 boys I can employ to help with the chickens!

Now, these pictures don't do them justice, but these are photos taken from my office window. The first one shows a slope leading to our neighbor's yard. The second the other side of the yard. Behind us is a creek, and behind the creek is conservation land - so no one will ever back up to our property.

See the fence? The former owners put that in as a 3-sided frame for the backyard. Which apparently they were never seen enjoying. Strange, and the fence is on the "to go" list.

So my plan? Well, that's what I'm working on. I'm using a tool called an A3, which is essentially my entire plan on one sheet of paper (11x17). I will include background, current situation, target condition, analysis, and the plan to get 'er done! I look forward to sharing it as it progresses.