Raised beds and my love affair with mulch

Raised beds are the best best best - and I am officially in love with mulch

Video here - how to make a raised bed on the contour

I am learning so much I cant tell you how excited it makes me. Growing food, discovering and learning, being in nature and watching how it all comes together is the most rewarding experience. 

So here we have it

1. Dig a trench about 70cm - 1m wide and 30cm deep- on the contour of the land (try and keep it an even depth as you would a swale) - I am using these as I would a swale.

2. On the grass next to the trench put some cardboard (make sure the tape and plastic is all off) - no need to weed, the cardboard will smother the existing grass and it will eventually turn into organic matter and nourish the soil.

3. Throw the soil from the trench on top of the cardboard (you can use dry grass instead of cardboard if you prefer) - on the downhill side of the trench - (The trench/mini swale, will capture water and it will seep into the ground on the downhill side)

4. Add a layer of newspaper on top of the soil (flatten the top a bit) - approximately 1m wide - wide enough to be able to pick food from either side of the trench 

5. Add compost layer - Make your own 18 day compost (video up soon) or dry horse manure or find a friend who makes and buy

6. Add a thick layer of mulch (we use dry grass, its free, easy to get and works brilliantly) - As neighbours to dump their grass clippings at your spot instead of taking them away MAKE SURE THAT THEY DON'T USE ROUNDUP or any other poisonous Pesticides or herbicides before taking. - It must dry out before using - OR WOOD CHIPS - 
I can't tell how much the plants love love love the mulch - keeps the moisture in and the weeds out. 




7. Make little holes and put your paper cups with your seedlings straight in

8. Fill the trenches with broken up sticks, bark, dry leaves - they keep the water in and will eventually turn into compost that you can pile on top of your beds.

 9. REMEMBER to make pathways in between the beds so that you don't have to walk on them. (NB - NEVER walk on the beds - the soil mustn't be compacted - good luck training doggies and kiddies with that) 

Best way to plant seedlings - Recycle and Re-use

Best way to plant seedlings - love this trick !! Recycle and Re-use

Learnt a really great way of doing seedlings at my first hands on permaculture course with the wonderful Andrew Mugford. 

Need to share with you all, just because. 

Plant seeds out into anything really an old box, seed trays, anything you can find. 

The soil can be simple soil taken from the garden for this phase (the seeds have most of what they  need for the first 3 weeks of growth so won't need too much fancy stuff for this part) - (a note - please check my facts, they are most likely not too accurate as I tend to remember things in a visual way and play around with what I have until it works for me, never remembering ingredients or time frames but rather just how things look and feel. 

Anyone who has been with me in the kitchen when I'm cooking will confirm that.. ahhaaha).

At about 3 weeks (3 or so leaf phase) - transplant into their final resting place. 

Make little cups from rolled up newspaper (we used a recycled cardboard tube (bigger then a toilet roll inner). Wrap the newspaper around and fold in the bottom and slide off the tube. 

Pack closely together and fill with delicious soil mix.
This is a perfect job for kids to do when they are tired of digging or just feel like sitting in the sun and chatting while working. When friends visit we rope them in to help too, so if you are coming for tea get ready to make some newspaper cups. hehe. 

The soil for this phase needs to be the good stuff as the plants need lots of nourishment so that they can get a good start.

We mixed - volcanic rock dust (some people use bone meal) , soil from the garden , Vermicompost, (beautiful stuff that red worms make, we have  a worm farm made form old tyres) and some ground up horse or donkey manure. If you don't have all of the above, get what you can and play around.

Fill cups and gently put seedlings in. They stay in these cups and after about 2 more weeks go straight into the ground. The newspaper disintegrates and the roots don't need to be disturbed again.

This is our first batch this way - I've seen how beautifully it works for other people and am very excited to compare this method to the one we were using of planting straight from the first seed tray into the ground. 

Will keep you updated. 

How to make a windbreaker, be inspired and admit when you need help

There comes a time in every farmer or persons life when they have to admit that they need help.

Well that has happened to me.. on numerous occasions.. but in particular this one.

Over December the heat waves and lack of rain blasted holes into my farm, veggies and ego.It looked as though a blow torch or fiery dragon had traipsed through there.Coupled with the wind problem that blasts through - everything died and dried up.

My babies trees are too small for shade or wind and my cloth windbreakers break and don't work.Thanks to a clever inspiring friend who gave me this idea..

 I think that we will make it through to the other side.It wasn't only the idea that she gave me.. she was a breathe of fresh air AND lectured me on my priorities which had gone askew (I hadn't been spending time in the garden but preoccupied with various other wild projects that should have come second to growing food)Here is a video on what we are up to ....

Hopefully it will inspire..I love it to bits and don't see why it wouldn't work... holding thumbs anyway... and visualizing success.Will update you WHEN it works

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_03ycWqdyY

Here are some pics as well . Black Wattle is not indigenous to South Africa - So we made a climbing frame about 20 metres long Just at the point where the wind blasts in ...

Plenty of granadilla creepers and guavadilla  creepers ready to climb (they grow very fast and go wild) and some rosemary which makes a nice low windbreaker..

In the center of the garden is a walk way which will also act as a wind breaker and Create shade for shade loving plants like our darling lettuce that always gets singed first.

Granadilla creepers planted and read to climb, grapes and kiwi creeper..

We are going to do the same with the top for a roof and at the end of the walkway is a central area that we will cover with creepers too.. A nice shady place to sit or little nursery for baby seedlings..Will update you..

And Just posting this because I had to share the idea with you.What say you to using this old trampoline for tomatoes?

HaHHAHHA.. I love it.... Sure Sure Sure that it will work... Let's see.