Misc/Chat Pics of my start of a "Back to Eden" garden

[changed]

Here are some pics I took today. I don't have woodchips. Instead, I have used what was available for cover, grass, branches, logs, pinestraw.

 

[changed]

Here are pics of some of my trees with mulch and branches around them.

 

[changed]

Pics of grape vines, European highbush cranberry, and lemongrass.

 

[changed]

A new strategy that I have this year is that I am not gonna have a compost pile. Instead, I just deposit vegetable waste directly on the ground in the garden or near trees. What I have found in the past is that I would have a compost pile 4 foot tall and 6 months later it decomposed down to NOTHING! The critters eat it all, the sow bugs, crickets, earwigs eat it so that there is nothing left.

 

[diamonds]

Looks good... I am doing the same... I will post pics in a couple of weeks..

 

[dogmanan]

Looks good, i'm expanding my garden to a acrea and a half next year, and I was given forty or so black berrie plants.

later

 

[SarahLynn]

A new strategy that I have this year is that I am not gonna have a compost pile. Instead, I just deposit vegetable waste directly on the ground in the garden or near trees. What I have found in the past is that I would have a compost pile 4 foot tall and 6 months later it decomposed down to NOTHING! The critters eat it all, the sow bugs, crickets, earwigs eat it so that there is nothing left.

Good idea but won't they eat it around the plants? My garden is right at the side of the house and I'm afraid if I put vegetable waste directly onto the garden there I'll be attracting animals like skunks.
Do you think this is a problem?

 

[summerthyme]

Yes, putting "good" compost near valuable plants CAN attract unwanted visitors. At the least, I'd scratch it into the soil... I use "sheet composting" (which is what Changed is describing) on empty veggie plots, but anyplace I already have plants, I do a shallow trench compost method instead, and cover it up as I fill it.

Also... please, get some sort of protection on the trunks of your fruit trees, and make sure your mulch is pulled back away from the trunk at least 6". Mulch attracts mice and voles like crazy, and they happily shelter in it while girdling your trees and eating the tender bark. I use hardware cloth cylinders around mine, but the expandable white plastic coils they sell also works.

Looks good, though!

Summerthyme

 

[SarahLynn]

Thanks summerthyme, real newbie here for sure

 

[changed]

I used to burn the branches and logs, but after watching the Back to Eden film I realized what a waste that was (as well as a risk).

 

[judoka]

All organic matter on my property is recycled to the earth as mulch. All my tree trimmings and deadfalls are run through a DR Power wood chipper to be used as mulch.

Works great in south Alabama.

 

[Vicki]

Thanks for the pictures Changed. I hope to get the rest of my leaves onto the garden this weekend. It's supposed to go up to close to 60. We've had a bitter cold spell the last week or so and it's too cold for me to go out there to work the yard. 37 today... burrrr

 

[Longbow]

Watch out with the pine straw. As it decomposes it will acidify your soil. Great for blueberries and azaleas, not so much for vegetables and most other fruits.

 

[changed]

Thanks for the pictures Changed. I hope to get the rest of my leaves onto the garden this weekend. It's supposed to go up to close to 60. We've had a bitter cold spell the last week or so and it's too cold for me to go out there to work the yard. 37 today... burrrr

I wish we would have a cold spell here. I am so paranoid about working in the yard after being attacked by yellow jackets on saturday.

 

[changed]

Pics of pomegranate, asian pear, pecan.

 

[changed]

bump, cause it was a lot of work taking the pics and downloading them.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Good job changed. My hubby got a really outstanding deal yesterday through a pawn shop ... a wood chipper that takes up to 3" limbs (Craftsman brand) for $200 and that's our Christmas gift to each other. We've been needing one for a number of years for various reasons but we couldn't justify the $500 to $1000 price tag.

Now I can try and emulate your method which I pretty excited to start.

 

[Gercarson]

bump, cause it was a lot of work taking the pics and downloading them.

Keep "bumping" - I love your pictures AND your energy. You should see my garden right now (NOT) - we had a drought for so long that even daily watering couldn't save my little plot - vegetables cooked right on the vine - then, the rains came every day and the weeds overtook it. I'm not sure if I can get anything back in order. So, thanks for the pictures and the boost of encouragement that it brings.

 

[ambereyes]

Great pics and ideas.. Been working in the garden to get it ready for spring... This gives me some ideas.. Thanks

 

[changed]

pics of chestnut and a row of blueberries with mulch around them.

Did you ever plant a tree or bush and then forget what you planted? I have. What I did was take bricks and spray paint them white. Then I used outdoor black paint and printed what type of plant it was.

 

[changed]

Yes, putting "good" compost near valuable plants CAN attract unwanted visitors. At the least, I'd scratch it into the soil... I use "sheet composting" (which is what Changed is describing) on empty veggie plots, but anyplace I already have plants, I do a shallow trench compost method instead, and cover it up as I fill it.

Also... please, get some sort of protection on the trunks of your fruit trees, and make sure your mulch is pulled back away from the trunk at least 6". Mulch attracts mice and voles like crazy, and they happily shelter in it while girdling your trees and eating the tender bark. I use hardware cloth cylinders around mine, but the expandable white plastic coils they sell also works.

Looks good, though!

Summerthyme

Summerthyme, I have learned from experience that I can't cover potato plants with grass mulch. It attracts a bunch of crickets and they destroy the potato foliage and then go hide in the mulch.

 

[Vicki]

I am so paranoid about working in the yard after being attacked by yellow jackets on saturday.

Changed, if you get stung again or for anyone else for that matter, look for this, "Greater Plantain" ... https://secure.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/wiki/Plantago_major ) and what I do is pumice it in my mouth for a few seconds and apply it right to the sting. It immediately takes the sting away. It usually grows where you walk and the Native American's called it White Man's medicine since it wasn't here in the states till we came over from europe. The veins always go straight up the leaf and there are two distinct kinds but both work. I'll attach a picture.

Adolf's meat tenderizer also works.

 

[Vicki]

Here's a video I saved you may like to watch.

Farming With Nature - Permaculture with Sepp Holzer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7mQZHfFVE

 

[changed]

Here's a video I saved you may like to watch.

Farming With Nature - Permaculture with Sepp Holzer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw7mQZHfFVE

Oh yeah, that video is awesome. Thanks

 

[Deena in GA]

Great thread and pics! Yes, I am one who has forgotten what trees we've planted where - kept meaning to draw a diagram or something, but never did. I really like your method of painting the names on the bricks!

I have used pinestraw as mulch on potatoes before and it works great.

 

[Vicki]

Shoot! Thought I posted this too but see I didn't. Check this site out when you get a chance.

http://www.permies.com/

 

[changed]

Shoot! Thought I posted this too but see I didn't. Check this site out when you get a chance.

http://www.permies.com/

That site has some interesting information, but I was afraid to click on the link: "women peeing outdoors."

 

[Vicki]

That site has some interesting information, but I was afraid to click on the link: "women peeing outdoors."

Thanks Changed, I read that whole thread on peeing. lol

I got alot done today outside. It was wonderful and I'm tired. Didn't cover anything unfortunately but buckled up the back and side of the house and deck good and got a few things puit away that were a big deal. Also redid the plastic on the woodshed and that turned out really good. easy in and out and still will block snow and wind. Yeah!

I also trimmed my big Jacob's Ladder bush and took all 30 of the small branches and planted them. Said a prayer and hopefully come spring I'm going to have a beautiful row of Jacob's ladder along the front of my back deck. Can't wait! Also gathered a healthy amount of marigold seeds of a couple different heritage varieties.

Tomorrow's supposed to be the same weather so looking forward to it!

 

[changed]

Here is another view of the row of blueberries.

 

[changed]

Here are some pics I took today. I don't have woodchips. Instead, I have used what was available for cover, grass, branches, logs, pinestraw.

Today I went out and raked back some of the mulch on my garden and it was nice and moist and black. Keep in mind, this is on top of Georgia clay. I even saw a worm. By spring, everything should be set.

 

[Yarnball]

Thank you for the pics and please keep posting as time goes by!

 

[NeverSayNever]

I use shredded paper around my flower gardens to keep weeds down and put wood chips on top so you can't see the paper. It does wonders for the soil. It also helps hold moisture in dry times. This year I turned my soil in the vegetable garden and laid cardboard down after the frost finished off the last of my crop. I raked leaves and put them on top of the cardboard. It should make a wonderful soil and then I will mix in chicken manure in the spring. I guess paper is another form of wood chips and it does help replenish the soil. Gotta love it.

 

[Mother Love]

I love your fruit tree markers!

 

[changed]

I love your fruit tree markers!

They are easy to make. Just got to make sure you don't run over them with the mower.

 

[Mother Love]

They are easy to make. Just got to make sure you don't run over them with the mower.

How do you make them?

 

[changed]

How do you make them?

Take a solid brick and spray paint it white. Use a couple coats. Then get some tough outdoor paint and paint the names on the bricks with an artist's paintbrush. Again, put a couple coats on.

 

[Mother Love]

Thanks for the directions!

 

[changed]

I had to bump this up. There is too much politics on the main page.

 

[Dollar Short]

bump

This thread has been very helpful -- especially all the photos.
DW and I are laying the groundwork during these cooler months for an 'Eden' style garden in our yard.

 

[BadMedicine]

So I really want to start doing this, am worried about using spruce mulch. Is the anti-microbial properties of spruce sap going to keep helpful biomass from taking root? Will a year of decomposition into good mulch maybe make most of that go away? The mulch I have access to is mostly spruce and am worried that might be counter productive. Looking forward to making raised beds this winter and filling them heaping with mulch all summer and maybe can plant the next year...