Planting Outside

This is what is planted in the main garden

It is finally here.  We spent all day planting outside, there are 5 outdoor gardens and I have been anxious to plant them since I got here a month ago.  It was a little overcast today but it was kind of nice not having to do all the planting in the heat.  The main outdoor garden already has potatoes in it but the rest was filled with beans, onions, parsnips, turnips, collards, peas, summer squash, broccoli and cauliflower. In the other gardens we have beets, turnips cucumber, peppers, gourds, and more potatoes and carrots.  Check out the plans I drew, these will help next year when John and Lissa prepare to plant the outside gardens again. They rotate their crops to ensure minimal soil nutrient depletion; not only does it prevent nutrient depletion but it can drastically improve the soil if you do it right.  For example if you plant something that soaks up a lot of nitrogen one year you should plant something that leaves a lot of nitrogen the next year.  Creating this natural balance is far better than any chemical you can add to the soil.  Crop rotation also does a great job at deterring pests; if you plant something in the same spot year after year, pests will make a home there.  It makes sense to move things around.  Author Eric Coleman is a master at crop rotation and John and Lissa will plan their rotation from his recommendations.  Eric Coleman has written some excellent books on sustainable agriculture, if you are at all interested in the topic check out his books.

The orchard garden and my front yard

There are a few things that have not yet been planted in the ground.  The cucumbers have been started and will be under the grow lights for the next couple of days.  The pepper plants were started about a month ago but it has been too cold to put them outside. Both the cucumbers and peppers will be put in next week at the latest.  With most of the gardens planted we turn our attention to watering. we will use a sprinkler to water the gardens for the first few weeks, once everything starts to come up we will run drip tape through the main large garden which will supply that garden with a more steady and efficient flow of water. 

I watched an excellent documentary the other night called "To Market, To Market To Buy A Fat Pig".  It was produced by PBS and it is about the importance of farmers markets in America. They provide great food and build community.  I found it interesting, maybe you will too.  If you live or are near Walker, MN this summer, come to the Green Scenes farmers market.  I will be down there every Thursday selling fruits and veggies.  There will be local artisans and lots of food, something for everyone.