We have always looked forward to the day that we had our own garden. In Turkey, the soil was amazingly fertile and many people had small gardens but we didn’t have the land to do it. The only thing we ever grew were jalapenos on our porch to make salsa. And, over our time there, as with many other things, eventually you could buy jalapenos in the store making our porch ones no longer necessary.
Last year, we attempted a garden but we were late in planting due to just moving in and it wasn’t very successful. Well, I’ll be honest. We spent hours together in that thing and nothing grew. Nothing. Sad but true.
This year, we have much higher expectations. With the help of garden-wiz-friend Matthew, J learned about Ecology Action . In their own words, this is “ Sustainable Mini-Farming — that nurtures soil, produces high yields, conserves resources and can be used successfully by almost everyone.”
Did you catch that last part? “Can be used successfully by almost everyone.” Too bad they put the almost in there but we are thinking we have a chance.
Step 1 is to dig a hole 1 ft deep, 5 feet wide and dig the dirt out, saving it for later. Then, break up the ground another 12 inches below.
Step 2 continue with another 1 ft. deep, 5 ft wide hole immediately adjacent to the first one, this time filling the first hole with the dirt from the second.
Ernie spent the majority of one afternoon with his head in this hole. He looked like a headless fuzzball and he made us all laugh!
J finally finished the digging process this afternoon, just before the rain hits tomorrow. The finished product is a 5 ft. x 20 ft. ‘double dug’ bed.
Phase 2 involves a 2 inch layer of sand mixed into the current soil and then a 2 inch layer of compost also mixed in. That’s about all I know about the next phase. To be continued….
Tags: Bio Intensive, Ecology Action, Garden, Live
