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We bought our house about 3 years ago. It has taken me 3 years to figure out a direction for the vegetable garden at our little homestead. Anyone can give gardening advice but you really have to literally “dig in” and figure out your climate, soil, watering needs, ect.
When we moved here it was December and I had huge plans for the spring. I spent the rest of the brief winter buying seeds and mapping out my garden layout. I also spent considerable time researching lazy gardening methods. Something else you should know about me, I am very motivated to start on a project but very quickly loose my momentum. Knowing this about myself, I need to plan accordingly. That February, I began growing my tomato and pepper seeds under lights in the house. In the field I began to prepare my garden using the Back to Eden Method. I began buying wood mulch and layering it over the weeds. (see I warned you! lazy!) Two rows in I decided buying mulch was going to be a little too expensive. (also, not much spare cash) I happened to notice that when my husband mowed the yard I had instant hay! I just had to scoop the grass clippings and haul them to the garden area. This is a lot of work but it is also very free. By April I was planting my little seedlings in the partially prepared garden area. We had good rain, the tomatoes and peppers were doing really well. The plants were covered with blooms and beginning to show first fruits. First year gardeners luck. I was dreaming of the large haul of produce I would have. There is nothing more exciting and miraculous then seeing Gods design for life unfold every day in the garden. My dreams and excitement were crushed when the deer moved in. The little boogers had the garden mowed down to nothing in a matter of days. I gave up for that year very defeated. End of year one!
I figured out that first year that we had deer. I had never seen any deer. I also figured out that mulch was going to be way too expensive to buy for the entire garden. I did lean on my free resource of hay mulch. I did not reap any reward for my work the first year…but I did learn a few things about our new homestead.
Encouragement
A few words of encouragement for new gardeners…Even if your garden doesn’t produce don’t give up and don’t stop learning. The best way to learn is from trying and finding what works best for you situation.
Blessings!
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