Tag: landscape fabric

10 must do garden hacks

 

garden hacks you must do

If you follow me on pinterest you will see that I have created a garden hack board. I loved these garden hacks and I bet you will too. There are so many cool ideas out there…check them out!

1. Making rowsmarking rows for you garden

 

 

source

I absolutely love this rake idea.

 

2. DIY plant markers

diy plant markers

source

These little plant markers are so cute. I love the organic natural look of them. Super easy to make!

3. DIY soil testing

DIY soil testing

source

I did this soil test last year. It is a pretty interesting thing to try. Would make a great science project!

4. Milk jugs to cover seedlings

milk jug to cover seeds

source

Sometimes those little seedlings just need a little help.

5. Composting for beginners

composting for beginners

source

I love composting. I can get a little nerdy about it….but it does wonders for your soil.

6. Growing potatoes

growing potatoes

source

I attended a garden expo with my sis in law this spring. This was one of the things they talked about in the vege growing class. I am excited to try it. A few years ago I did something similar with tomato cages but this will keep things together a lot better.

7. Improve your soil

improving garden soil

source

If you take the time to amend your soil you will not be disappointed. Even if you just do 1 little thing you will see results.

8. Grow plants from cuttings

grow lavender from cuttings

source

So this can take a bit of time but once you do it you are hooked.

9. How to make cut flowers last longer

how to make cut flowers last longer

source

Love the suggestions.

10. Growing with landscape fabric

growing with landscape fabric

source

I am such a fan of this method!  Highly recommend it. It will make your weed wars so much easier and I think that my plants were way healthier using it. The fabric can be used for years. It is a bit of an investment but worth the money!

Be sure to check out some of my other posts. 12 awesome gardening sites not to miss.

My reasons to go no till

no till gardening
Isn’t she cute

No till

Some of you are probably wondering “no till” ooookay. The sound of it actually seems counter productive right? I thought so too. When you think of preparing your field or garden bed one of the first things you think of is ” I need a rototiller.” Once you have your spot and the tiller, you work back and forth until you achieve that perfect soft soil. No weeds, no clumps, looks and feels great. However is it really? Sure, for hundreds of years we have produced thousands acres of crops with this method but what if we can produce a better more abundant crop? Sounds perfect right. More land, more machinery, more help, more seed, more fertilizer, more tilling…..blah blah blah. I am usually hesitant to jump up on the soapbox…..so excuse me while I climb up.

Reasons

The reasons I chose to go with the no till method are these….First of all I wanted to try and grow super healthy blooms. We have pretty harsh seasons here in Minnesota. Super cold winters and where I live really hot summers. Second I do get a little nerdy about organic things…tend to lean towards them. Third, money. A new rototiller is just not in the budget. Forth, want to streamline the process since It is only me and a little helper. Fifth what if it works….

What I have been learning

I have to admit one thing. When I first started my beds I did use a tiller. I have a small mini mantis tiller which I think I have had for about 10 years.. still works. Even tho I do hope nobody watches me start it because I know it is a scene. So that was the only time I tilled, which Connor Crickmore from neversink farm says is ok.

tractor tilling field
tilling

When you till the soil your are making it easier to plant. Those of you who like to till, please feel free continue no offence taken. However tilling disrupts the life in the soil. So when you see the birds following the tractor….yes they are eating all the worms and bugs that are overturned and therefor do not make it back into the soil to do their thing.

earthworm
worm

If you can leave the soil in tack then these guys can do their work and essentially till the soil for you.

Making it workable

Making the soil workable and keeping the weeds at bay are helped by using tarps and black landscape fabric. I use a pitchfork to fork the soil. Not turning it but just loosening it. Next is scuffing the top layer of the soil on the beds and adding my organic fertilizers etc  then cover the rows with black landscape fabric.  I covered my in between rows with fabric initially because I made the rows to narrow to get my mower in between. Low and behold it totally helped with my weed control.  Covering the soil also helps with erosion. I am excited to see how my flowers do this coming season.

reasons for going no till
reason for no till method

I will keep you updated on my progress here and let you know what is working for me and what is not. Please if you have anything to add please do so.