Kook
A 'maker', not a 'taker'!
Just thought I'd share some pix of our Back To Eden garden experience.
Below is a pic of the garden so far, along with a view of our method. We roll some 5' wide butcher paper out for about 10', and scrape out some wood mulch out the truck bed. We live about 6 miles from the local Timberland Products, and the chips are $25 per ton. A typical load is about 1200 pounds, just over the capacity of the truck, but so far not a problem.
The garden size is 61 feet by 44 feet, making it about 2600 SF +/- a bit. Another pic shows my beloved Kookette planting some corn. Next is some okra, then the rest. We are trying the 'three sisters' method of planting corn+beans/peas+squash together. I'll keep everyone informed how that and everything else turns out.
I'll say this, the advantages of this method as far as water usage are great. We haven't had rain for a month, and the ground is hard as concrete, but the soil under the paper and chips is moist and soft. I put the butcher over Fescue, cut low, and as much removal of rocks as possible. We then put at least 3" of mulch, sometimes more depending on terrain,
The golf cart has been a Godsend for us. We carry our tools, a radio for company, and ice water with it, plus bags of potting soil, fertilizer, the rolls of paper (HEAVY!) and anything else needed. We make runs back and forth to the shed and the house, and run neighborhood errands with it. I can't imagine doing without it. We both have physical limitations, so anything helps. Got a deal on it from a local shop for $700. I also am purchasing some used Trojan T-105 batteries there. I'll run pix of the solar system build later this summer.
Anyway, I'll update the thread as we go. Feel free to add your own pix/experiences. The BTE gardening method is great for fogies like us who don't get around very well, especially the weeding and watering parts.
Also, the rake seen in the truck is a MintCraft Pro-Series rake. I cannot recommend it enough. A man's rake fer sher.
Ciao for niao,
Kookster
Below is a pic of the garden so far, along with a view of our method. We roll some 5' wide butcher paper out for about 10', and scrape out some wood mulch out the truck bed. We live about 6 miles from the local Timberland Products, and the chips are $25 per ton. A typical load is about 1200 pounds, just over the capacity of the truck, but so far not a problem.
The garden size is 61 feet by 44 feet, making it about 2600 SF +/- a bit. Another pic shows my beloved Kookette planting some corn. Next is some okra, then the rest. We are trying the 'three sisters' method of planting corn+beans/peas+squash together. I'll keep everyone informed how that and everything else turns out.
I'll say this, the advantages of this method as far as water usage are great. We haven't had rain for a month, and the ground is hard as concrete, but the soil under the paper and chips is moist and soft. I put the butcher over Fescue, cut low, and as much removal of rocks as possible. We then put at least 3" of mulch, sometimes more depending on terrain,
The golf cart has been a Godsend for us. We carry our tools, a radio for company, and ice water with it, plus bags of potting soil, fertilizer, the rolls of paper (HEAVY!) and anything else needed. We make runs back and forth to the shed and the house, and run neighborhood errands with it. I can't imagine doing without it. We both have physical limitations, so anything helps. Got a deal on it from a local shop for $700. I also am purchasing some used Trojan T-105 batteries there. I'll run pix of the solar system build later this summer.
Anyway, I'll update the thread as we go. Feel free to add your own pix/experiences. The BTE gardening method is great for fogies like us who don't get around very well, especially the weeding and watering parts.
Also, the rake seen in the truck is a MintCraft Pro-Series rake. I cannot recommend it enough. A man's rake fer sher.
Ciao for niao,
Kookster
