Our back yard is constantly evolving. It looked like this in Spring of 2010:
We cleared space for our first garden beds that year:
 |
| Digging up buttercup. |
In 2011, we built three raised beds, using reclaimed cedar fencing.
 |
Constructing raised beds, spring 2011
|
We added tomatoes to the rotation and added a hoop house over the tomato bed to give them an added heat boost.
 |
| Raised beds just after planting |
 |
| View into the hoop house. |
 |
| Chad watering the garden, summer 2011 |
 |
| Brassicas and lettuces, late summer 2011 |
In Spring 2012, we expanded to six raised beds, and built a tomato house and an early season hoop house for squash and cucumbers.
The tomato house made a huge impact on tomato yield. The original plan was to remove it part way through the summer, but the tomatoes were so happy, we decided to leave the house in place for the entire growing season.
We also started utilizing metal concrete reinforcement grids for trellises. This approach is inexpensive, durable, attractive, and really easy to install. We are now using them for everything that climbs- beans, peas, squash, cukes, etc.
One of the six beds was dedicated entirely to flowers, to attract bees and enjoy the bright pleasures of a cutting garden.
 |
| Late summer 2012 |
 |
| Spring 2013: Trellisses just in, tomato house before the cover was added. |
2 comments:
What a terrific project. Growing plants is participating in a miracle.
Uncle Mike
Thanks Uncle Mike! I agree- it is participating in a miracle. BTW, we could use your pruning advice for our laceleaf maple! It's taking over our sidewalk and needs a haircut! Hope to see you guys soon.
Post a Comment