Change of Plans...

So I was talking to my mom today, and instead of digging out at least 6 inches deep for the 15'x20' (approx) area for the corn, we are going to build up a (very, very large) raised bed for that section. My mom figured the cost for the materials would be about $54. Plus, do digging out the soil, and finding somewhere to stash the sand.

She went for the revised bean teepee construction, and once the bed is built for the corn field, the next project will be construction of the teepees. The first two things that are going to be planted outdoors are the peas and spinach at the first part of February. So we need the enclosure done for the corn area (and filled with soil), the teepees, and at least one bed by then. Then, if we can get a bed done, lined and filled each week after that we will be right on schedule.

Bed #2 got lined and weighted today. I will make a list of supplies (in priority order) to get the garden finished, and then go down the list as we are able, buying and constructing what we can. Then when we can get more, getting more and constructing that...

**I read (in one of my loads of gardening books from the library) yesterday that this guy gets an average of 125 tomatoes per plant with his high-yield system. And he gets similar yields from all of his plants. He went over N-P-K a lot, and how each help plants grow, as well as continuous planting among other things. I took some notes, but we will see if we can get that to translate on our lovely patch of land. It would be nice.**

I think I will do an entry about N-P-K values here soon, because I know when I first started researching gardening it was intimidating to me. I was far more likely to get the bag of fertilizer that says "Tomato Feed" than trying to figure out what the tomatoes in MY yard need, or why they need it. Much less try to figure out what the numbers on the generic fertilizers mean! It will be a basic overview of course, but enough to make you feel comfortable knowing what your plant needs, why, and what organic materials add it. (Keep an eye out!)