How to garden when you have more space than motivation

There are a lot of tutorials out there for apartment/small-space gardening. And that’s all well and good, but it’s a little silly for me to follow these tutorials when I live on a half-acre. But, unfortunately, I just can’t find really upfront instructions for low-maintenance  gardening for those of us with ample space. I suppose it makes sense to assume that those with gardening space are invested enough to go all-out, but, like most assumptions, it’s only partially correct.

So far this year our gardens are turning out really really well. Considering this success (especially after the weed-crazy disasters of last year), I thought I’d share a few tips that have made a difference to my vegetables.

Disclaimer: I’m by no means a gardener to be trusted. I’ve read a slew of books and dealt with a slew of weeds/pests/plant diseases, but what works for me may not work for you.

I know, it sounds dramatic. I’m not saying you buy stock in Monsato, just that if you have space and that space has weed seeds in it, you will need to either put a lot of work and time into that space or employ a little chemical help. This year we have only used two weed-repelling products: Pre-emergent and Round-up. Pre-emergent kills all ungerminated seeds in the soil (see hint #2 for more info on working with that), and the Round-up takes care of large spaces that threaten to be consumed by weeds despite the pre-emergent. We do not use Round-up near our vegetables.

Because of the pre-emergent, we didn’t plant any seeds straight in our back plot this year. A few nursery-bought seedlings were planted, but we also started seeding plants in pots outside; this is the first year we’ve done this for any other reason than gardening before the frost. And, let me tell you, it is working so well. In pots our seedlings don’t have to compete with weeds and therefore are growing twice as fast as they did last year. Also potted seeds tend to be watered more gently; we use a watering can whereas seeds in the back plot were just watered with a sprinker.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Split your garden into as many plots as possible; this way, if one plot doesn’t work out for any reason, not all is lost. And though it may seem intimidating to spread out in this way, it’s actually working out to be a great benefit. Instead of focusing all my efforts every day on one main plot, I can spend one day on each little space. It’s more rewarding and less stressful.

I can’t stress the benefits of composting enough. There are so many ways to create this brown gold that just about anyone can do it. Read a book, gain a basic understanding of the composition of good compost, and determine what works best for you. While I have grand plans of someday composting in-garden and having underground compost pits, this year I’m sticking to our hand-me-down compost tumbler and spreading a thin layer of compost around each plant (topped with a layer of topsoil & either coffegrounds or washed crushed eggshells to keep pests at bay).

Where you’re not going to grow, spread water-proof tarps (topped with plenty of bricks or stones) to keep weeds at bay. If this space (like the one pictured) has trees, be sure to leave space around the trees uncovered so that you don’t block off their water supply.

This year we are partnering with our neighbors; they bought a lot of the plants we’re growing, and we grow/water/take care of them. A little less investment means it’s not as awful if the plants don’t work out.

Over-fertilization can burn a plant out; especially if you’re also using compost. But this year our gardening season was cut short by a long, cold, wet spring, so I’m carefully and patiently applying all-purpose fertilizer every 3 weeks or so. If you only want to do it once, do it right after planting seedlings or after your seeds have sprouted their first real leaves. (The first couple leaves on a seedling don’t count.)

Just expect it. Leave time for it once or twice a week, and use that time to study your garden; as you’re weeding, inspect your plants to see what they need.

One of the most interesting things to me in this book I will never be able to stop raving about is the way she talks about nature’s tendency to over-prepare. Example: At 20 weeks, a female fetus already has 4 million eggs. Through a beautiful & fascinating process called apoptosis, a woman’s body kills most of these eggs, narrowing it down to a slim 450. I’ve been adopting this concept in so many aspects of my life, including gardening. Plant your entire packet of seeds, and then narrow it down based on which sprouts are healthiest. Let double the wanted amount of plants grow, then worry not when harvest comes that you’ll be left wanting. After all, you can always store your bounty & enjoy it through winter. Or better yet, donate it.

You might think this sounds like a waste of energy. But, however you believe the human organism was created, that process is smart. The energy exerted in over-creation and apoptosis has been proven worthwhile by that body you’re using to read these words.

(Sorry. That damn magnificent book makes me wax all lyrical.)

 
Invest more in the experience than in the final product; above all don’t allow yourself to get stressed out.

My own backyard

Taken/written April 27.

Now I’m just confused.

Image by pellaea via Flickr

Is this the weed I was talking about a couple posts ago? Because I was so certain it started with an S and that there was a Y in there somewhere. The pleasant crunch and lemony tang of purslane.
This was posted from my phone, so please forgive any errors.

Edit: I figured it out! The neighbor who was telling me about this weed called it “spurlane.” Don’t know where I got the “Y” in that, but there we go. Misunderstandings! Mispronunciations! My life is just like television.

The plants will probably start a revolution before I get home.

I like it when other bloggers blather endlessly about their gardens, and I’m using that as an excuse to do the same.

First and foremost, let’s talk about this extremely phallic plant. It is a weed that grew from between the brick pavement outside the barn. It is over eight feet tall. And I just kind of dig it. Those leaves have got to be useful for something. Like stitching together to make a quilt? Probably not.

I am out of town right now, and the first batch of beans and peas were the only rows I was able to weed before leaving. And as you can see, my version of “weeding” is just about eliminating the major threats and letting the little ones live. Until they get big. My garden is so full of weeds – I’ve given up on planting anything more this year, really. Anyway, my beans and peas are doing really well, despite the nibblings of my local squirrell pack.

See what I mean? This picture just makes me shudder. I was busy at work for one week (just one week!) and the weeds just engulfed everything. My peppers, spinach, and 2nd batch of beans are still doing well. In fact I think the weeds have protected them from getting eaten by the local rodents. But still – this is just ridiculous. This succulent-y looking weed is called … I don’t remember. Something that starts with an “S.” It’s nickname is “Mormon Cabbage,” and apparently it can be eaten. But even if it tasted like a cherry Slushie I wouldn’t eat it, because it is just such a bastard. Hate this weed. Hate it hate it hate it. (However, weeding as an activity is pretty fun, I think.)

I’ve covered almost all of the unused space in the back garden with tarps and/or plywood, to suffocate the weeds. These tomatillos were one of the first things I planted, and they’re going nuts. Which is great, because salsa is the only thing I know how to make with a tomatillo. We’re going to have a lot of salsa. If you want any of these pretty little vegetables, let me know. They are yours.

Yellow zucchini! Man, plants are just so cool. Yay science. These are going to be so tasty in a pasta or stir-fry. I should have bought more of these plants.

These blackberries are going to be so tasty. I got these plants from my neighbors, so I know they do well in my area. They’re just taking their sweet time to adjust to being transplanted. Around here, blackberries are weed-like in their ability to spread, so I’m hoping these cinder-block planters will keep them under control. Even though I can’t imagine myself complaining of having too many blackberry plants.

We have a side bed where a few fruit trees (cherry, pear, peach … and maybe another? I don’t remember) grow, and the floor of the bed is filled with these beautiful flowers. I don’t know what they’re called (do you?), but I adore them. The color is perfect. I love perennials – even if a perennial is not as pretty as an annual, I just have more respect for it.

My upside-down pepper plants seem to be growing so slow. Probably because I occasionally forget to water them. These are from a sweet pepper mix – I’m really excited to see what color peppers I get. Fingers crossed for dark purple.

Now on to the front yard, where the plants are even more strong-willed than those in back. The plot directly in front of my house is completely filled with overgrown roses, chamomile, pineapple mint, and weeds. It’s a jungle.

And here we have possibly my favorite flowering plant on the property, clary sage. It’s just such an odd bird.

Are you gardening? What are you planting? I genuinely want to know.