Its spring and time to plant! (Group- Green Mean and Energy Efficent)
1. First thing to start a garden is to clean up after winter and get the ground ready.
2. You might consider square foot gardening. Raised beds are easy to maintain. Check http://www.squarefootgardening.com for tips.
3. I like this method of raised beds, because once it is set up its is low maintenance.
4. You can get creative with making your raised beds. Left over lumber that hasn't been treated is great for walls for your beds. Bricks are another option; I had some left over bricks and recycled them into raised beds.
5. Getting started with soil preparation.
6. In Hawaii we have acidic soil, and a clay based soil. It is a good idea to test your soil to get a PH reading on your soil if it is too alkaline or acidic. In Hawaii I add lime to sweeten the soil.
7. Lucky we have a plant recycle center in Maui. They offer a mix with sand or top soil with the mulch.
8. If your soil is clay based I like to use black cinder for drainage.
9. Manure is great for nitrogen and retaining moisture. If you're lucky you have egg farms, or stables close by for manure. Just make sure its not hot.
10.We have access to mulch from the county plant recycleing center. It is different from the finer broken down mulch that I buy for my soil. The bulkier mulch is great for top dressing your plants to keep every thing moist, I also use it in my tree holes for moisture.
11.After I have all my ingredients together, it's mixing time. A tiller is the way to go, if you don't have one then its shovel and spade time. I replace this from my gym work out. Great cardio and weight work out.
12.After my plants start growing I like to top dress the soil with chicken manure and an organic fedaliser.
13.Later I want to talk about composting from your kitchen left over's, and grass clipping.
So there you go, its spring time and you can cut your food bill in half. This is just a plan to get started, and enjoy the benefits of growing your own herbs and vegetables. I find it fun and relaxing.
You will find your friends are delighted with a bag of veggies and you're improving your health with a healthy diet. One thing leads to another, the next thing you know your cooking fresh delicious dishes with fragrant aromas. So good luck, and happy gardening. I will be looking forward to hearing from all you backyard gardners and energy genius so we can all benefit from being resourceful with food and energy. Check the link below to join Green, Mean and Energy Efficient.
Steven Nickens R(S), GRI, ABR
The Wailea Group, LLC
3750 Wailea Alanui, Suite 5WE
Wailea, Maui, Hi 96753
Email: nickens@maui.net
Cell: 808-280-2208
http://activerain.com/groups/greenenergyefficent
Steven C. Nickens R(S), GRI, ABR
THe Wailea Group, LLC
3750 Wailea Alanui, Suite 5WE
Wailea, Maui, Hi 96753
Cell: 808-280-2208
Email:nickens@maui.net
Jay and I do the raised beds here in Mooresville NC too (Lake Norman) area. It is definitely less maintenance. Several of our friends are going to do it this year as well.
Good luck with the new garden, I'm almost ready to start a new big one too.