Jul 27 2009
How My Garden Grows
Unlike the last few years, the weeds are not overtaking my garden this year, and the vegetable plants are growing “like weeds.” Pardon the pun. This year, when the gardening season drew close, my hubby and I decided that this garden would grow vegetables and not weeds.
The land on which my house sits used to be, as many of our yards were, farm land. It is a hard, clay based soil that held onto the weeds like cement. If I wished to conquer the weeds, I needed to water the garden, and then proceed to work in the mud. The excessive watering also formed a breeding ground for mosquitos.
This year, however, I was determined to be a successful gardener. Two years ago, we created raised garden beds approximately 8 feet by 16 feet (I think.) and filled them with top soil. This was a frustrating mistake. I finally convinced my hubby that we needed to add something to the gardens: To each garden we added 4 bags of hummus compost and 4 bags of mushroom compost (Gotta love that smell.) and a large bag of peat. This combination we mixed in the wheelbarrow and then tilled into the garden. After planting, I covered the beds with cocoa hulls and lightly watered. After the initial watering, the resin in cocoa hulls is supposed to form a weed barrier.
It worked. Granted, I have my share of weeds to pull that the birds have transfered with their feet and beaks, but it is no where near what it used to be, and to top that off, the weeds are easy to pull. I have already harvested enough green beans for two dinners and at least 16 zucchini squash. The watermelons are the size of large marbles already, and I think I will have more than enough tomatoes, beets, lettuce, and peas.
I’m finally a happy and successful gardener. Eat your heart out, Dad.
