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Title: Home gardening, the easy way
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Published: May 12, 2012
Author: me
Post Date: 2012-05-12 13:04:48 by PSUSA2
Keywords: None
Views: 703
Comments: 21
The price of food being what it is, I decided to put in a home garden. But, digging up sod just plain sucks. I did some, and I am putting that to use in a compost pile for next year. But I knew there had to be an easier way. So, here is what I did. I had some contractor-grade trashbags and split them on the sides so they open up into one sheet. These I placed on the sod and put weight on the edges and corners to hold them in place, in order to kill the grass and leave bare soil. Obviously, a tarp or other plastic sheeting would work too, but I didn't have a tarp. I guess I only had to wait 2-3 weeks for that to take effect. Probably closer to 3 weeks. In the meantime, I had already seedlings growing. Those I grew in small plastic cups, which also happened to match the diameter of a small auger I had that is used with a cordless drill to dig the holes for planting. It makes it real easy to just empty the cups into a nice hole of the same size. I didn't cultivate the soil, I just planted directly into the cleared area. Also using well ventilated #10 cans for tomatoes and peppers. They seem to be doing well. And if people can use 2 liter soda bottles and get a crop, I'll just have to water them every day. And, a pack of seeds goes a long way.
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#1. To: PSUSA2 (#0)
If you want a decent yield, you need to till the soil around your plants. Their roots need room to grow. Otherwise, they'll get rootbound, which will prevent them from taking in nutrients and they'll die before they can produce anything. Try some 3 gallon pots and fill them with potting soil. I use something called Fox Farms Ocean Forest soil, which can be found at your local hydroponic supply store.
A couple of years ago I got rid of my big tiller, switched to raised beds, and bought one of those mini Honda tillers, only place to purchase is from a Honda auto dealer, but the thing kicks butt, great little engine. I grow tomatoes-four varieties this year, potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, lettuce, cukes, zukes, peppers, squash-butternut, and have pear and apple trees. I also use my little Honda during the season to weed between plants and rows, and can cary it with one hand, very handy. Last year I used it to start a raised bed garden wall of stone blocks, the cecorative type, tilled a trench, layed gravel then stones and filled with Gods good earth, my favorite bed, never been able to grow carrots or lettuce, but with this bed I can't eat everything gast enough:) "True Love and Homegrown Tomatoes" - two things money can't buy!!!! Not a bad country song either, and generally I don't care for country ;)
Did it break up the soil, or was it already broken up? I keep wondering if it has enough torque
#12. To: PSUSA2 (#10)
(Edited)
Here is my little work horse: I've never had to pick up a shovel, take your time, pulling backwards on it seems to work best and dig deepest, but I have used it on established lawn with no trouble. It starts every time. I guess if Honda engines are good enough for Indy 500, they are good enough for me. I tired of the big old tillers, heavy, getting clogged, won't start, storage, etc. Oh, and I have never used it with the little wheel on the back, take it off, you will get much better depth.
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#4. To: Obnoxicated, PSUSA2 (#1)
(Edited)
Tiller
#10. To: Lysander_Spooner (#4)
. Last year I used it to start a raised bed garden
Replies to Comment # 10. Did it break up the soil, or was it already broken up?
End Trace Mode for Comment # 10.