Boring - Not Any More!

Can you imagine looking out the kitchen window at this? This is boring! 

June 2016
(Before Mr. Mesquite had a major overhaul!)

After becoming inspired by reading the various books I’ve mentioned the past few months, and watching videos created by the Bealtaine Cottage (Ireland), Justin Rhodes (USA), Morag Gamble (Australia), and many others too many to mention, with their “permaculture” design concept... it finally hit me! Why walk all the way to the far end of the West Yard to tend to a vegetable garden?!!! That’s absolutely silly!

So, this is where I’m at now... a work in progress...

The white PVC pipe is my no dig zone, it's where the telephone wire is buried! Potatoes are planted to the right of cardboard, but the cats have messed the mounds up - they thought their easy no-dig toilet! Doubt any potatoes will come of it. Oh Well. Maybe next year.

Right now, the blue barrels and cardboard are to kill the grass!
The pots on top of cardboard keeps the cardboard in place! Once Bud's up to it, I plan on having him cut the barrels in half (lengthwise) and making planters. Someday we'll get "real" rain barrels rather than try to modify these sealed barrels.

I planted asparagus in the black pot in front of the hanging garden hose. We'll see if the cats leave it alone! I've put hardware cloth on top to discourage the cats. The terracotta pots will be for tomatoes and peppers. The last black pot to the left... blueberries!!!
FYI: Red Pepper Flakes do not bother the cats at all! I've got to figure out how to keep the cats out of the garden!!!

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White pots & swan have onions growing inside. Momma's roses are coming back nicely after the severe Valentine's Day pruning. Will add Lavender to the newly prepared area.

It is a work in progress... I am bringing up dirt from the corral, one wheelbarrow at a time.

I need WOOD CHIPS!

Give me a year...

Books on the Shelf

I may have already mentioned (I’m having a senior moment), but I wanted to share a bit about the books I’ve added to my physical bookshelf! Yes! For me, they are worth having to reference when needed, for inspiration, and “just because” I’m addicted to having actual books on hand!

The latest is The Wellness Garden, by Shawna Coronado. After attending her workshop at the Mother Earth News Fair, she offers great inspiration and gardening tips and methods, even while suffering with chronic pain. As found on her website, the back of the book reads:

If you love to garden but also worry about chronic pain and physical strain, or if you are in search of ways to promote a healthier lifestyle that features stronger nutrition with anti-inflammatory eating, then noted garden author and wellness expert, Shawna Coronado, has good news for you. In The Wellness Garden, her new book from Cool Springs Press, Shawna details exactly how she has learned to use her garden as a key tool in her battle with osteoarthritis and other chronic pain issues. This guide to better health can help you combat specific, chronic, health issues and inspire you to feel better every day. In this inspiring but highly practical book you will learn from Shawna’s life changing garden experience and see how you can grow, eat, and walk your way to better health by creating your own Wellness Garden–gaining the healthier lifestyle you desire and need.

The “West Yard Project” is on temporary hold. I still have a bit more of the irises to transplant along the spiritual pathway, it’s a Living Process. It’s time (past time really) to get beds prepared and veggies and herbs and flowers ready to plant after the last (hopefully) freeze.

It’s because between some of the library books I have read, Shawna’s book, and Introduction to Permaculture by Bill Mollison (that is now on my desk), I decided to turn our front yard into an edible garden! It, too, is a Living Process!

And, the 3rd book I now have on hand is Mel Bartholomew’s 2nd Edition All New Square Foot Gardening. It is absolutely packed with fabulous information! The subtitle reads: The Revolutionary Way to Grow More In Less Space. I truly believe it! The book is certainly a well rounded reference to have on hand!

I’ll take pictures of the work in progress and share next time!

It's Time

Months before the dinos arrived, I read everything I could about raising chickens. I continue to read and learn. The latest book I have on the subject is Lisa Steele’s fabulous new book: 101 Chicken Keeping Hacks. It’s been a fabulous read!

Anyway, I am doing the same process for gardening. This winter, before getting my fingernails really dirty, I’m learning all I can about the different recommended garden practices. By reading the various library ebooks, I’m learning the language. I’m learning what questions to ask. I’m learning more about...

Permaculture Gardening
Square Foot Gardening
Biointensive Gardening
Sustainable Gardening
Ecosystems

Never before have I paid attention.

It’s time.

One Step at a Time

It’s January! Happy New Year!

And, it’s a glorious rainy day!

I’m keeping myself grounded. It can be a bit overwhelming gathering all the different information needed to transform our west yard into a permaculture half acre garden!

One step at a time, Lanetta! The following is what I’ve done, so far...

Using my word processor program, I printed out a 12-month 2019 calendar.

I found the upcoming Moon Phases for 2019 and transferred the information to my calendar. I still want to get the Farmer’s Almanac, but just haven’t - yet!

Since Christmas day, I’ve been watching the 12 Days of Christmas videos Justin Rhodes (Abundant Permaculture) has produced for us! Because of his sage advice, I now know three things for sure...

1) I will create a spiral shaped herb garden, and
2) the next attempt of growing peach trees, I will plant them in our front yard (west side of sidewalk, of course!) and then,
3) I will plant more diversity and use the layering technique beginning with the established oak trees.

Justin often refers to Bill Mollison, so I ordered the highly recommended book, Introduction to Permaculture, it arrives MONDAY!!!

I also went to my online library access and checked out SEVERAL books! All I can read on my Kindle! I know I have a lot of reading to do... a great activity during these cold rainy January days!
Not to mention the upcoming really “down” time beginning next week, when the love of my life has surgery #2 to get ready for surgery #3!

Oh, and this is not annotated on my “Garden” calendar (because it should be an ongoing activity), but the next warmish dry day we have that I’m home, I need to pick up several wheelbarrow worth of cow poop - and get it spread out in my new “Zones” and “Sectors” - you’ll know what I’m talking about after watching Justin’s videos! Or, read Bill’s book along with me!