Last year we really struggled with keeping grass out of the vegetable garden, by mid July we had all but given up on trying to control it…so it grew. It was so unsightly and frustrating especially since we had invested a lot of sweat and tears while setting it up, not to mention money. Gardening ain’t cheap!
We did a bit of research and found the Charles Dowding No Dig Method. I was super stoked about it, but Robby was a bit skeptical. He’s more of a traditionalist and likes to keep doing things the way he always has. So… we made a deal, shook on it and everything!
This year would be my time to shine! My turn to revamp the design and decide on all things gardening. Next year, goes back to Robby. If he liked what I did, we could keep going or he could tinker with his old methods.
Where we started-
I decided on Mr. Dowding’s no dig method before we decided we wanted to do something different. The only problem was that we had already tilled the area we planned on using. Mr. Dowding suggests that you not till at all. He states that it messes with the soil structure and harms the soil organisms. His steps are to put down a weed barrier such as cardboard, top it with compost, and then get to planting.
We skipped the cardboard part since we had already tilled and put down a layer of compost. Then we got a bit worried about how hot our summers get, so we added the wood chip method to help cut down on watering. I guess technically we’re doing a combo method hoping to keep our babies happy.
So next, we put down the first round of wood chips. Spreading wood chips is not easy let me tell you! At first we tried using shovels, but hello?! Spading fork for the win! This is how we spent our Spring Break and wouldn’t change it for a thing!
Round two of chips-
We wanted at least six inches of wood chips, so we had another round delivered. We weren’t as excited to spread them out this time around. Ooh wee, our arms were tired, child! We pushed through with dreams of juicy tomatoes fresh from our garden dancing through our heads. We also made a few cattle panel trellises for our tomatoes, yardlong beans, and cucumbers. So pretty!
We’ve made the commitment to avoid utilizing non organic chemicals in the garden, so we’re hoping this combo method of gardening helps with that. As vegetarians, a lot of our vegetables are grown ourselves. We also like to share with the ones we love, so it makes us feel good that we’re giving them veggies grown with a lot of love, not chemicals.
We did it! Everybody’s all planted! In the evenings we love to sit out here and admire how beautiful our garden is. Also sing, it’s a must! Do you sing to your garden?
Progress- Grow baby, grow!
We have a pest!!! We’ve since figured out that Kaua’i loves tomatoes! She walks around sniffing for the ripest ones and eats them before we have a chance!
We’re already thinking about our fall/winter garden plans. Ruth Stout is another no till advocate whose method has us intrigued. She planted directly in haw or straw instead of compost. We’re thinking of using her method in the expanded potato section of our garden, but are afraid of possible herbicides or weeds spreading everywhere. We shall see!
Praying peace and love to you!
xo, r+l