It’s been a crazy year and while I don’t really do New Year Resolutions, I do like to take time through out the year to look at what has been working well and what could use some tweaking.
We have had 4 garden seasons in a row that were extremes in temperature, rainfall or drought. I would really like to find ways to help our gardens to do better in extreme conditions. Last year I posted about the film Back to Eden, we really wanted to try that method last year and with our drought it might have made a big difference. However we found wood chips were very hard to find last year, and straw was very expensive. So we decided to go with a living mulch system instead. Over all I really did like using the living mulch! What set us back was the extreme drought that set in so early, this caused the clovers to not germinate until late in the season. Instead of tilling it under this fall, we have left it to grow and will plant in the old rows this spring. I’m hoping that the clovers having a head start this year will make a big difference. While they did compete with the plants for moisture they also offered much needed shade, and made a home for a huge number of predator insects! I’m hoping to be able to find enough mulch to cover the garden on the hill, and if possible the raised beds and shady area garden to.
Another area I’m hoping to improve on is increasing the varieties of plants I grow. I would like to have a few varieties that do well in cool short seasons, and hot dry conditions. What are your all time favourite garden varieties?
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Hello! I’m just starting out with our garden this year. Last year we just planted tomatoes…which were horrible in the drought in Indiana. But we had just moved and didn’t really get much of a chance to plant a garden. This year, so far, I have 2 raised beds ready and am planning to make some more garden area. I’m not sure if they will be raised beds or not, depending on how much money I can spend on them! I do plan to do some of the Back to Eden ideas though and have ordered some mulch. Hopefully, I can get some in the spring that is free!!
I’m doing the ordinary stuff….pole beans, tomatoes, carrots, yellow squash, zucchini, corn…
I want to thank you for your very good videos on canning! I have purchased a canner and I have canned everything I can put my hands on! I am buying meat on “clearance sale” and I am canning it. I’ve also done vegetable soup and broth. Thanks so much for putting those online!! I think with the drought so bad, we will have some really high prices and whatever I can preserve will help us out!!
Blessings,
Beth
Beth B. recently posted..Busy Saturday!!
Your welcome Beth! I’m so glad the videos have been a help! I hope you have a wonderful garden season this year to.
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