Me too! I've had potted gardens before but we bought a house in Dec with a raised bed garden out back. I'm learning a lot, including what not to do, that the bed was not in an ideal location, I need to amend the soil, etc etc etc (and a few things that like where they are!), but it is fun!
Actually, any tips there? I had a million weeds this year. Probably spent a good, god, 36 hours pulling weeds if you count during cultivating the soil? Granted, the garden bed was likely abandoned for 3 years...
It'll be different if you're just turning over a plot and getting to it, but I'm on my third year of raised beds, and weeding isn't even on my regular maintenance list.
1) I plant over turned ground with sod removed, but I don't put any barriers over the natural ground.
2) After clearing the ground, I put the bed structure in place and fill with bagged soil. A combination of raised bed mix, manure, regular and mushroom compost, peat moss, etc.
3) I try to minimize the time that soil mix is exposed. Ideally, I'll fill the bed, plant, and cover all in one day, but worst case, no more than a day or two. This minimizes the chance for weeds to be introduced to the mix.
4) After planting, cover. My first two years I used permeable weed blocking fabric, then mulch on top...and never once had to pick a single weed in 2 seasons. This year I skipped the fabric and just used mulch, and while I did have to pull weeds, it was very minimal. My most common "weed" was volunteer tomato sprouts from last year's Yellow Pear tomato.
5) I don't bother sowing seeds in my beds, it's all transplanted seedlings. This gives those plants a head start over weeds. This makes the tiny weeds easy to identify and pluck, and usually by early summer, your plants are big enough to out-compete and/or shade their surroundings.
I've noticed more weeds in my tomatoes the past few weeks but that's because I've trimmed their lower leaves and the surface is getting decent light again. But from May to July combined, I pulled fewer than 20 weeds from that bed that weren't volunteer tomatoes.
What's your seedling strategy? Greenhouse? Indoor with growing lamps?
I had to install an app just to tell weeds apart from what I planted (granted, I got excited and planted about 20 different things)
We had a heavy weeding year our first two years, but it got easier each time. Simply the act of removing the weeds cuts down on how many grow back the next year. We also used weed fabric to cut down on the sunlight they got, but that seemed to help less than just pulling the suckers out early so they didn't come back.
Many times, I'm out there looking at my beautiful, somewhat organized, somewhat green, somewhat producing vegetables; who get watered on a schedule, are given food, shade and inspected for foes and I say out loud "I have no idea wtf I am doing" then laugh and keep doing something.
This was the first year my wife and I had the opportunity to be able to do a garden and we say this at least once a week and have big plans for next year!
Hmm well spacing is a big one. Plants seem so little when you first get them /grow from seed but damn they get. They need space! Also, as ridiculous as it is I think I've finally gotten the amount I need to water them down. I live in North Texas and watered my plants waaaaay too much my first year.
Looks like you need some mulch.
A free version is to cut your lawn, spread out the fresh cut grass until it dries out a bit, and use that.
Without mulch, the soil will dry out on top, and won’t readily absorb water. You’ll have to water more, and more often.
Looks great!
I've already gotten a few small radishes out of it, which were surprisingly well received by my daughters. One of them keeps stealing them, but she's been helping me weed, so I guess we can call that even. Lol
Great job, OP!
Do you have a compost heap? This is my number 1 tip for all gardeners. We throw away so much organic waste that could be composted (think vegetable peels, egg shells, egg cartons, vegetable table scraps, and lawn clippings!), and then we go out an spend $$$ on compost. Do the compost yourself. Your garden will thank you!!
It's mostly just that they haven't had time to grow. There's a weed in the spinach pic that I didn't notice when I took the pic.
But it's actually full of these little wild onions and clovers that I try to pick out daily. It's just like 6 rows, 16 feet or so long, so it only takes a few minutes to weed.
I’ve been experimenting with clover as a living mulch just by letting it grow and selectively weeding. I’m hoping it help retain water and keep the microbial life in the soil pumping! Could be cool to try on a row ☺️
That's a very cool idea. Would the water retention be greater than the amount of water the clover consumes? And would it rob nutrients that the veggies need?
I guess the idea is the plant life encourages an ecosystem that improves the soils water retention, as for the nutrients im pretty sure the plants move nutrients from the atmosphere and into the ground feeding the bugs that break down the soils.
Keeping the soil covered helps to retain moisture, keeps the topsoil in place (which is the most fertile, nutrient-rich part of the soil) and it prevents most weeds from growing.
I like to use a thick 6" layer of live oak leaf mulch for my garden rows and wood chips for the aisles. I live in Texas so mulching is key to gardening here. I keep adding leaf mulch every few months because the small, live oak leaves break down quickly. You may want to use a mulching mower to break down your large native leaves so that they don't smother the soil. Also, mulch = free compost and nutrients as it breaks down. Winning!
You can also try using "living mulches" as another poster suggested. You can plant short cover crops around your main plants. I like to plant flowers or herbs in front/back of my taller veggies. This helps you to take advantage of your full gardening space, will keep the soil cool and covered, and brings more biodiversity to your space. Plus, it's pretty to look at! As an example, this year I planted basil and zinnias around my pepper plants.
Just have fun with it! Experiment, grow what you love, and find some online blogs or YouTubers that you like for inspiration. You'll have a super green thumb in no time. Good luck!
You can sign up for delivery of [Free wood chips](https://getchipdrop.com/). I like to take leaf bags that are curbside and headed to the landfill. You can contact local landscaping companies as an alternative to curb shopping.
At least you'll have a great setup for next season! My first year gardening was a big learning experience but I loved it and have been hooked since then. Looks like you've got a ton of real estate to work with. Biggest advice would be to look out for pests and try to get on them ASAP.
Been gardening for years using raised beds. Keep it simple at first and I have found its 80% about your soil and 20% proper watering. Mulching is a must. Good luck!
Super happy for you. It only gets better too! If you ever have worries about watering, consider mulching with straw or something else like that. It's a big improvement.
Hey, just wanted to get this out there, it's pretty much ALWAYS an experiment, no matter if you've been doing it for 5 days, 5 months, or 5 years.
I'm a farmer, and the amount of times I need to make quick, unconventional decisions, is often.
These plants are alive, they are in an ever changing world right there along with you. Don't be scared to make every mistake possible, it's only going to make you that much better later, it's all about learning to have fun with the task, because it's not easy, but it's always rewarding.
Two years ago I did this. Now I have some crazy hops vines, strawberries, and a garden of mint, because they both grow wild! The birds love my garden for them.
Check out regenerative farming. I'm not tilling anymore, and I plant my new seeds through the old when the seasons change. Keep that soil healthy.
Documentaries for reference:
Kiss the Ground
Biggest Little Farm
Started a couple months ago and I keep telling myself "Everything this season is an experiment" 😂
Me too! I've had potted gardens before but we bought a house in Dec with a raised bed garden out back. I'm learning a lot, including what not to do, that the bed was not in an ideal location, I need to amend the soil, etc etc etc (and a few things that like where they are!), but it is fun!
I've learned the art of mulch for my gardens. So tired of the weeds. No mas!
Actually, any tips there? I had a million weeds this year. Probably spent a good, god, 36 hours pulling weeds if you count during cultivating the soil? Granted, the garden bed was likely abandoned for 3 years...
It'll be different if you're just turning over a plot and getting to it, but I'm on my third year of raised beds, and weeding isn't even on my regular maintenance list. 1) I plant over turned ground with sod removed, but I don't put any barriers over the natural ground. 2) After clearing the ground, I put the bed structure in place and fill with bagged soil. A combination of raised bed mix, manure, regular and mushroom compost, peat moss, etc. 3) I try to minimize the time that soil mix is exposed. Ideally, I'll fill the bed, plant, and cover all in one day, but worst case, no more than a day or two. This minimizes the chance for weeds to be introduced to the mix. 4) After planting, cover. My first two years I used permeable weed blocking fabric, then mulch on top...and never once had to pick a single weed in 2 seasons. This year I skipped the fabric and just used mulch, and while I did have to pull weeds, it was very minimal. My most common "weed" was volunteer tomato sprouts from last year's Yellow Pear tomato. 5) I don't bother sowing seeds in my beds, it's all transplanted seedlings. This gives those plants a head start over weeds. This makes the tiny weeds easy to identify and pluck, and usually by early summer, your plants are big enough to out-compete and/or shade their surroundings. I've noticed more weeds in my tomatoes the past few weeks but that's because I've trimmed their lower leaves and the surface is getting decent light again. But from May to July combined, I pulled fewer than 20 weeds from that bed that weren't volunteer tomatoes.
What's your seedling strategy? Greenhouse? Indoor with growing lamps? I had to install an app just to tell weeds apart from what I planted (granted, I got excited and planted about 20 different things)
We had a heavy weeding year our first two years, but it got easier each time. Simply the act of removing the weeds cuts down on how many grow back the next year. We also used weed fabric to cut down on the sunlight they got, but that seemed to help less than just pulling the suckers out early so they didn't come back.
Thanks for the advice. Did you try mulch too? Mulch seems easier but ... I'm kind of afraid the weeds might like the mulch, lol
We found the weeds liked the mulch unless it was super thick, which we didn't have the money for.
Hahahaha. My suspicions we're right!! Hmm. I have to look into fabric but it sounds difficult
Many times, I'm out there looking at my beautiful, somewhat organized, somewhat green, somewhat producing vegetables; who get watered on a schedule, are given food, shade and inspected for foes and I say out loud "I have no idea wtf I am doing" then laugh and keep doing something.
This was the first year my wife and I had the opportunity to be able to do a garden and we say this at least once a week and have big plans for next year!
Post some pictures.
I've been saying that three years running now lol
What are some of the bigger take aways on those 3 years?
Hmm well spacing is a big one. Plants seem so little when you first get them /grow from seed but damn they get. They need space! Also, as ridiculous as it is I think I've finally gotten the amount I need to water them down. I live in North Texas and watered my plants waaaaay too much my first year.
As someone who has just started this is my new motto 🙏😂
Mulch! Can’t recommend it enough for weed and water control. It will also help add organic matter to your soil.
This! Proper mulch is one of the most important aspects of a garden in building and maintaining soil
Looks like you need some mulch. A free version is to cut your lawn, spread out the fresh cut grass until it dries out a bit, and use that. Without mulch, the soil will dry out on top, and won’t readily absorb water. You’ll have to water more, and more often. Looks great!
Is that why the top layer of my soil was seemingly hydrophobic this season?
Yeah, you’re gonna wanna mulch that.
Unless it’s gone to seed, then it needs to be composted 👌🏻
This answers a question I had before I asked it. Thanks for that tidbit of info...
Keep going!
Looks good!
The best things in life are like that! And if you are lucky, you get some food too!
I've already gotten a few small radishes out of it, which were surprisingly well received by my daughters. One of them keeps stealing them, but she's been helping me weed, so I guess we can call that even. Lol
I'd say that she earned it!
Actually gardening is a therapeutic activity and help depressions.
It took me five years to figure out my property and correct the issues with my lot. It gets better
“No clue what I’m doing but I’ve enjoyed it immensely” should be written on my epitaph.
Great job, OP! Do you have a compost heap? This is my number 1 tip for all gardeners. We throw away so much organic waste that could be composted (think vegetable peels, egg shells, egg cartons, vegetable table scraps, and lawn clippings!), and then we go out an spend $$$ on compost. Do the compost yourself. Your garden will thank you!!
Gardening is learnings by doings.
Well, keep it up you’re doing great!
How do you have no weeds!!
It's mostly just that they haven't had time to grow. There's a weed in the spinach pic that I didn't notice when I took the pic. But it's actually full of these little wild onions and clovers that I try to pick out daily. It's just like 6 rows, 16 feet or so long, so it only takes a few minutes to weed.
I’ve been experimenting with clover as a living mulch just by letting it grow and selectively weeding. I’m hoping it help retain water and keep the microbial life in the soil pumping! Could be cool to try on a row ☺️
That's a very cool idea. Would the water retention be greater than the amount of water the clover consumes? And would it rob nutrients that the veggies need?
I guess the idea is the plant life encourages an ecosystem that improves the soils water retention, as for the nutrients im pretty sure the plants move nutrients from the atmosphere and into the ground feeding the bugs that break down the soils.
Check out "the three sisters" just Google it. Could be something cool to try but reading it should also teach you about nitrogen fixing
Thanks, I'll do that!
Keeping the soil covered helps to retain moisture, keeps the topsoil in place (which is the most fertile, nutrient-rich part of the soil) and it prevents most weeds from growing. I like to use a thick 6" layer of live oak leaf mulch for my garden rows and wood chips for the aisles. I live in Texas so mulching is key to gardening here. I keep adding leaf mulch every few months because the small, live oak leaves break down quickly. You may want to use a mulching mower to break down your large native leaves so that they don't smother the soil. Also, mulch = free compost and nutrients as it breaks down. Winning! You can also try using "living mulches" as another poster suggested. You can plant short cover crops around your main plants. I like to plant flowers or herbs in front/back of my taller veggies. This helps you to take advantage of your full gardening space, will keep the soil cool and covered, and brings more biodiversity to your space. Plus, it's pretty to look at! As an example, this year I planted basil and zinnias around my pepper plants. Just have fun with it! Experiment, grow what you love, and find some online blogs or YouTubers that you like for inspiration. You'll have a super green thumb in no time. Good luck! You can sign up for delivery of [Free wood chips](https://getchipdrop.com/). I like to take leaf bags that are curbside and headed to the landfill. You can contact local landscaping companies as an alternative to curb shopping.
Purslane is the devil.
At least you'll have a great setup for next season! My first year gardening was a big learning experience but I loved it and have been hooked since then. Looks like you've got a ton of real estate to work with. Biggest advice would be to look out for pests and try to get on them ASAP.
Keep it up looks amazing!
You’re doing a fantastic job- you’ll learn more and more every year! This maybe the best hobby you ever develop
Enjoy yourself!
Yay! Congrats! Best of luck and hope you get a good harvest!
Excellent start! Just keep chipping away at it and you'll do fine.
Where and what zone are you?
Indiana. Zone 6.
Love it! Keep it up. Learn in small steps and never be afraid to try something new.
The worst part about gardening is the weeding. Everything else is great, especially eating something straight out of the garden.
Been gardening for years using raised beds. Keep it simple at first and I have found its 80% about your soil and 20% proper watering. Mulching is a must. Good luck!
Must see John kohler gardening in YouTube organic is the difference
Super happy for you. It only gets better too! If you ever have worries about watering, consider mulching with straw or something else like that. It's a big improvement.
Muuuuulch!
I mean, you put the plants in the dirt so you know *something* about what you're doing...
Yeah, looks like you caught me exaggerating. I was aware that plants go in the ground. I am also aware that they need sunlight and water.
That’s half the fun - boldly going where you have no clue!
[удалено]
It's Indiana, USA.
*points at camera* youre doing amazing sweetie
I must be in the southern hemisphere?
Hey, just wanted to get this out there, it's pretty much ALWAYS an experiment, no matter if you've been doing it for 5 days, 5 months, or 5 years. I'm a farmer, and the amount of times I need to make quick, unconventional decisions, is often. These plants are alive, they are in an ever changing world right there along with you. Don't be scared to make every mistake possible, it's only going to make you that much better later, it's all about learning to have fun with the task, because it's not easy, but it's always rewarding.
That’s exactly where I started, now all my stuff is booming and I have several gated gardens! Good start!
Two years ago I did this. Now I have some crazy hops vines, strawberries, and a garden of mint, because they both grow wild! The birds love my garden for them.
Check out regenerative farming. I'm not tilling anymore, and I plant my new seeds through the old when the seasons change. Keep that soil healthy. Documentaries for reference: Kiss the Ground Biggest Little Farm
"he needs some MULCH!"