Now that few months have passed since finishing all my outdoor projects (pergola, patio), I'm really itching to do something amazing in my garden, again.
In my effort to be more like the Dervaes or at least get a little closer to Urban Homesteading, I've decided to significantly expand my kitchen gardens. Here's my kitchen garden history
- 2007 chose a big awkward spot just beyond the patio (AKA big pile of rubble) and threw down weed cloth over the area (around 8 x 10). Things grew great, the weed control was awesome and despite the ugly factor, the location was prime for sunlight and maintenance.
- 2008 built 2 4 x 4 raised beds which I used as temporary leaf compost holders over the winter. I like that they are contained and raised but the weed control was non-existent and plants are not thriving like they should due to the over-crowding.
For 2009 I'd like to build more raised beds using cedar this time (GB, you were right!) and a more of them! I'd also like to be able to place a short cute fence around the kitchen garden area to keep the bastard rabbits out.
I'll be removing a big section of my backyard for this expansion. I'm not exactly sure of the dimensions yet but I'd like it to accommodate a minimum of (4) 4 x 4 raised beds a maximum of (6) 4 x 8 beds. I'd also like to have narrow raised beds around the interior perimeter that I could fill with strawberries and a place in the back for my rain barrel and a 2-3 bin compost system.
I have an official plan drawn by Pie Guy (remember he did the official pergola plan, too) which I'd love to share with you but my stupid scanner is broken.
I'd love to get this done in time to plant garlic. Anybody know when's the latest I can plant garlic in zone 5?
More to come on the urban homestead project. GB, call me!
