We are scrambling madly to collect enough leaves to get pictures for this section. The idea of creating a website was born in the early summer so most of the pictures start from that part of the season. The leaves have fallen and we collected enough to give you a rough idea of how to start a mulch garden.
We will be starting with the FREE leave collection tips and tricks. Once you have enough bags of the best leaves you can take your time with the rest.
To convert a lawn into a garden you can rotor till the lawn with about 4 to 6 inches of horse manure. I went deep (16”) to level the low areas of the lawn. Gravel paths on root barrier fabric are easy to maintain and inexpensive.
To convert a lawn into a garden you can rotor till the lawn with about 4 to 6 inches of horse manure. I went deep (16”) to level the low areas of the lawn. Gravel paths on root barrier fabric are easy to maintain and inexpensive.
Once the mulch was spread, I made removable wood walkways to avoid crushing the mulch (plus my feet stay clean).
Once the mulch was spread, I made removable wood walkways to avoid crushing the mulch (plus my feet stay clean).
Most veggie plants were pre-started in containers, or purchased from garden suppliers. Carrots, radishes, and beets can be planted using some simple tricks. I will tell you later.
Most veggie plants were pre-started in containers, or purchased from garden suppliers. Carrots, radishes, and beets can be planted using some simple tricks. I will tell you later.
This pic was taken 3 weeks later.
This pic was taken 3 weeks later.
By mid summer the garden had filled out
By mid summer the garden had filled out
Abundance! By August we were forcing food upon everyone we knew.
Abundance! By August we were forcing food upon everyone we knew.
Mid October and we are still left with a garden that just will not freeze.
Mid October and we are still left with a garden that just will not freeze.
OK, by the last week of October we have a bit of frost.
OK, by the last week of October we have a bit of frost.
Not much to it, really! You merely create a layer of organic material over your soil.
A. mid summer mulch
B. last fall’s mulch almost all loam
C. previous lawn with manure rotor tilled
A. mid summer mulch
B. last fall’s mulch almost all loam
C. previous lawn with manure rotor tilled
By mid summer all the mulch had broken down under wide plants (broccoli, cabbage, etc)
By mid summer all the mulch had broken down under wide plants (broccoli, cabbage, etc)
Mid summers re-mulching of carrots. (notice the marigolds for insect control)
Mid summers re-mulching of carrots. (notice the marigolds for insect control)
We added about 8 inches of leaves around the peppers & tomatoes for the mid summer re-mulching
We added about 8 inches of leaves around the peppers & tomatoes for the mid summer re-mulching
One client decided to try mulch in mid summer after weeding for 56 hours a week. Straw works. Leaves are better & FREE!
One client decided to try mulch in mid summer after weeding for 56 hours a week. Straw works. Leaves are better & FREE!
I moved the boardwalks whilst spreading leaves.
I moved the boardwalks whilst spreading leaves.
Its easier than it looks!
Its easier than it looks!
Inexpensive and simple 1/2 inch flexible black plastic line is my favorite. It can freeze without damage. Did I mention inexpensive? About 10 cents a foot!
Inexpensive and simple 1/2 inch flexible black plastic line is my favorite. It can freeze without damage. Did I mention inexpensive? About 10 cents a foot!
The 1/2 inch line is easy to add 1/4 inch “spaghetti” lines to containers etc.
The 1/2 inch line is easy to add 1/4 inch “spaghetti” lines to containers etc.
We place these lines high enough to allow short plants to grow under and low enough to avoid water on foliage of taller plants (to avoid blight)
We place these lines high enough to allow short plants to grow under and low enough to avoid water on foliage of taller plants (to avoid blight)
All our plumbing connects directly to our water “tree” as well as to the timed solenoids (which we take indoors to avoid freezing).
All our plumbing connects directly to our water “tree” as well as to the timed solenoids (which we take indoors to avoid freezing).
Before you start spreading your leaves think about what you want to cover up. I break up my marigolds because I do not want the seeds to germinate. I also bury my carrot tops because I am too lazy to put them in my compost.
Before you start spreading your leaves think about what you want to cover up. I break up my marigolds because I do not want the seeds to germinate. I also bury my carrot tops because I am too lazy to put them in my compost.
I use about one bag of leaves for each 2 square feet on a new lawn/garden and about one bag per 3 square feet on a mulch garden that has had leaves added in the summer.
I use about one bag of leaves for each 2 square feet on a new lawn/garden and about one bag per 3 square feet on a mulch garden that has had leaves added in the summer.
