My Edible Yard: Front Yard Garden Update
We have been so busy working on a multitude of things in the yard (not to mention working our regular jobs) that I am not keeping up with my blog posting. I apologize. Here's a quick update on what's going on with our urban homesteading endeavors.
The front yard: I'm excited to say we've finally started it. My wonderful husband has ripped up all the grass, we've installed six 3' x 8' cedar raised beds with 4 more beds to install, pavers have been laid around the beds so that I have paths in between them, and I've planted 60 or so butterfly-attracting, drought-tolerant flowers in the empty soil spots.
My Edible Yard Front Yard Garden
Julie Mango in Talavera Planter
First attempt at Olla irrigation
Lantana, Verbena, Marigolds, etc.
We're getting there. I haven't been able to finish filling the beds with soil and get to planting them yet because of all the rain, but hopefully by this weekend I'll be able to get planting. Beside the Julie mango, I've got a peach tree ready to go, 2 grape vines that will put up on an arbor/pergola, 4 blueberries and 4 raspberries. These will be in addition to the 10 veggie beds so that we hopefully have a decent selection of fruit.
The other big addition to the My Edible Yard urban homestead is our backyard chickens. We took the plunge and dove right in. So far, so good. The girls are a major source of amusement. Quiet and friendly, my experience so far is that they are easier to take care of than the usual household pet. They're young and won't start laying eggs for another 8-10 weeks.
From Left: Ilana, Peninah, Avigal, Shoshanah
Hunting for bugs and eating grass and weeds
Munching on fresh collard greens from the garden
I've been feeding them scraps from meals, fresh greens and other veggies from the garden (they love cauliflower!) and have been supplementing with an organic soy-free grain feed. They already have their favorite spots on their side of the yard and, thankfully, the puppies are not bothering them.
So that's it for now. Unfortunately, I've got to get working this morning. I'll post soon about our experience with olla irrigation, more on the chickens and our progress with the front yard garden.
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11 comments:
You mean we can grow peaches, raspberries, and blueberries down here? I am excited!
We have started to lay out our beds but when we go online everything we find says not to plant in April. I don't believe it...something has to grow as Homestead has major summer crops.
What veggies are you going to plant and are you waiting or planting this month?
Thanks!
Okay! Scratch this comment...I just read your reply on the previous post.
Thanks for the wonderful advice! It will definitely set us in motion...and we are really excited!
I will go check out your group as well and would be thrilled if you followed me too! What started out as weight loss blog has morphed into a journal about my journey into an organic, minimally processed lifestyle...dragging my meat-and-junk-food-missing family kicking and screaming along for the ride!!!
Way cool on the chickens! They are so cute too! I spend a fortune weekly on organic, hormone free, antibiotic free, grain-fed eggs from my organic buying club!
Jewel - I'll be happy to follow your blog.
Here's what to plant in April down here:
April:
Plant beans, cantaloupes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peppers, squash, Southern peas, sweet potatoes, calabazas, chayotes, yard-long beans and other tropical crops.
Plant anise, basil, chives, dill, borage, oregano, mint, rosemary, sage, savory, sweet marjoram and thyme.
Trim banana foliage and fertilize monthly.
Fertilize trees, shrubs and vines planted earlier.
Fertilize container gardens weekly.
The post I got this from was from 2009 and under The Edible Yard - a book for Florida gardening that's out of print now - sometimes you can find it on Amazon - a used copy that is - that's what I have.
You really have a lot of projects going at one time. I admire your progress. It will be interesting to hear how the olla pots work out.Did you find some special type of blueberrys that will grow here in the heat?
Thanks for the info on Olla irrigation. I just spent the last half hour on the internet doing some research. I think I am going to make a few ollas from clay pots and try them in my veggie garden.
Sanddune: The 2 different blueberries I got were Emerald and Southern Belle, both I got at Lowes (if you don't want to get them there, there is a blueberry nursery in northern Florida that will ship to you (www.TrueBluePlants.com) and are a wealth of knowledge, and I got 2 different varieties because I read somewhere recently that they need at least 2 varieties to cross-pollinate - they will produce better. Also, a note - they need very acid soil, so I went to my local nursery and got pine bark nuggets (not the big chips) to mix in with the soil. They also need to be kept moist.
Keewee:
I think that's a great idea about using clay pots to make ollas. I've also seen them made out of plastic soda bottles with holes pricked in with pins. I plan on doing an in-depth blogpost on the ollas - their history, etc. at some point in the near future.
I'm enjoying your blog immensely! We're in the midst of exploring edible yards and permaculture here, too, and it's encouraging to read others' journeys, too!
I'm glad to have found your blog- I'm thinking about starting a small veggie garden and could use the tips. also the chickens are great!
I have 2 upraised beds. I grow lettuce, onions, leeks and carrots in the beds all winter and cover with glass ( old glass sliding doors) This morning there is a frosty finish on the glass. I love your blog !
Thanks for the compliment, Kelly. You keep going, too. It feels so good to eat the food we help Mother Nature create. It always just amazes me!
Ara
I read your blog all the time. Imagine my surpise when I googled Ollas and found you again! I buried 8 recycled water bottles as ollas next to my peas. (I scavenged them from the work recycle bin!)
Thanks much for your blog!
xxoo
Donna
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