Baymule's 2018 Garden

[baymule]

@MatthewsHomestead here are links to my other garden threads. We moved here in February 2015. Our soil is pure sand, like beach sand, but without the ocean. This place was over grown and a mess. Each year the garden gets better. The manure, cardboard and mulch is the way to go.

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2015-garden-from-raw-land.16897/

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2016-garden.18914/

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2017-garden-thread.20303/

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

@MatthewsHomestead here are links to my other garden threads. We moved here in February 2015. Our soil is pure sand, like beach sand, but without the ocean. This place was over grown and a mess. Each year the garden gets better. The manure, cardboard and mulch is the way to go.

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2015-garden-from-raw-land.16897/

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2016-garden.18914/

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2017-garden-thread.20303/

I'll definitely check them out. Ours is red clay dirt. When dry it's super tough when wet it stains EvERYTHING red. Joy! I grew up with dark sandy soil just inland from the coast. This red clay dirt is taking me for a spin for sure.

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

@MatthewsHomestead here are links to my other garden threads. We moved here in February 2015. Our soil is pure sand, like beach sand, but without the ocean. This place was over grown and a mess. Each year the garden gets better. The manure, cardboard and mulch is the way to go.

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2015-garden-from-raw-land.16897/

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2016-garden.18914/

https://www.theeasygarden.com/threads/baymules-2017-garden-thread.20303/

I'll definitely check them out. Ours is red clay dirt. When dry it's super tough when wet it stains EvERYTHING red. Joy! I grew up with dark sandy soil just inland from the coast. This red clay dirt is taking me for a spin for sure.

 

[flowerbug]

@baymule OMG giant ragweed! arg!

and thanks for pea info.

 

[flowerbug]

I'll definitely check them out. Ours is red clay dirt. When dry it's super tough when wet it stains EvERYTHING red. Joy! I grew up with dark sandy soil just inland from the coast. This red clay dirt is taking me for a spin for sure.

it takes time and being patient (to not get into the gardens when they are too wet) and having some spare garden shoes for changing if you get into it and then need to get out and go someplaces else.

the clay here is gray or white or even yellow, but it all turns into great garden soil when amended with organic matter and whatever you can scrounge to mulch on top during the hotter parts of the season will also help.

our tomato plants are loaded up right now and many other plants are doing fine too. just have to walk that fine line between how much moisture to capture and soak in and how much to let run off (to capture and soak in someplace else - i try to not let any water run off here if i can help it).

in our back low area we have to perch gardens or rows up higher so they don't get too wet in heavy rains/flash floods, but i'd still rather have clay than sand any time...

 

[MatthewsHomestead]

it takes time and being patient (to not get into the gardens when they are too wet) and having some spare garden shoes for changing if you get into it and then need to get out and go someplaces else.

the clay here is gray or white or even yellow, but it all turns into great garden soil when amended with organic matter and whatever you can scrounge to mulch on top during the hotter parts of the season will also help.

our tomato plants are loaded up right now and many other plants are doing fine too. just have to walk that fine line between how much moisture to capture and soak in and how much to let run off (to capture and soak in someplace else - i try to not let any water run off here if i can help it).

in our back low area we have to perch gardens or rows up higher so they don't get too wet in heavy rains/flash floods, but i'd still rather have clay than sand any time...

We threw out wood ash from our fireplace and lots of poo and old shavings last winter so the soil is starting to darken and rich up. Next year will be better. We are going to run rows along the outside of the pasture as well I'm hoping..... My thinking is the things that grow up can use the fencing to save on trellises.....

 

[flowerbug]

We threw out wood ash from our fireplace and lots of poo and old shavings last winter so the soil is starting to darken and rich up. Next year will be better. We are going to run rows along the outside of the pasture as well I'm hoping..... My thinking is the things that grow up can use the fencing to save on trellises.....

i use some wood ashes too and they are a good helper along with plenty of organic matter. animal poo here is provided by worms and i only have so much at a time so it is reserved for the heaviest feeding plants that will use it the most and then i can rotate plant through that area for a few years before adding more worms/worm stuff. it works very well in my experience as the different plant types use somewhat different nutrients from the soil anyways.

you may find that it's much better to keep your fences clear. when things start growing up them then they can come down easier in high-winds and such. i'm at the moment growing a few beans up one fence along the north edge, but that is because it's the only place inside that garden i can do it. i would be much better off putting up something inside that fence along that edge instead but i've yet to get around to it. someday...

i'm having to fight wild grape vines off some fence in the back last year and probably list fall too and it's a major waste of time. i surely wish i'd never let them get very far there.

 

[baymule]

I'll definitely check them out. Ours is red clay dirt. When dry it's super tough when wet it stains EvERYTHING red. Joy! I grew up with dark sandy soil just inland from the coast. This red clay dirt is taking me for a spin for sure.

Red dirt is all around us. There is a pocket of maybe 1,000 acres or less of what is known around here as sugar sand. We have 8 acres of it. I really didn't want red dirt, we have a pure white, blue eyed Quarter Horse, Joe, who is 29 years old. White horses that roll in red dirt are orange!

 

[thistlebloom]

Joe sure is a good looking horse! Holding up very well for his age.

 

[baymule]

Joe sure is a good looking horse! Holding up very well for his age.

Thanks. We also have a 31 year old TWH mare that is roly poly fat, no longer ride her. She has breathing issues and is retired. Joe will still take me for a ride, a short one, he is pretty much retired too. They have earned their places.