Get the most out of your garden

[Lazy Gardener]

I can only imagine that learning to garden in a different climate, with different soil can be quite a challenge.

 

[tortoise]

Interplanting / Living mulch: I am working on establishing groundcover in my garden as part of trying to go no-till. I started some white clover last year. I will be adding more clover and also creeping thyme this year. I used a lot of herbs as well and let them go to seed. I am hoping to choke out all the weeds! If a weed can grow there, why not an herb?

 

[Chic Rustler]

I planted ALOT of herbs in the garden last year. Basil, thyme, oregano, cilantro and they did well mixed in with other crops. But i dont think it did much for pests as they say it will.

 

[Hinotori]

How about the "rule" that fresh chicken litter is too hot for any plants. I've found that squash absolutely loves it.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

How about the "rule" that fresh chicken litter is too hot for any plants. I've found that squash absolutely loves it.

How fresh, and what was the bedding? Any guess about the ratio of poo to bedding? And how did you use it? As a top or side dressing? Or buried in the hill? How much per hill or foot of row???

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I planted ALOT of herbs in the garden last year. Basil, thyme, oregano, cilantro and they did well mixed in with other crops. But i dont think it did much for pests as they say it will.

I have not found that any of the companion planting has done squat to prevent insect damage. More likely, spacing plants out in a diverse planting so that you don't have all of the plants that are attractive to a particular insect makes it more difficult for those insects to find them then congregate and chow down. Many insects release pheromones. For example, when the first few cucumber beetles find your cukes or squash, their scent attracts more cuke beetles until the plants are covered.

But, what I have found is that certain plants do well together, either b/c they have similar nutrient needs, or opposing nutrient needs... or they have complimentary space needs.

 

[Hinotori]

How fresh, and what was the bedding? Any guess about the ratio of poo to bedding? And how did you use it? As a top or side dressing? Or buried in the hill? How much per hill or foot of row???

Ive done it with actual fresh from right under the roosts. The lower levels have decomposed pretty well as there are worms at work in there. I only toss in a bag of shavings twice a year maybe so it's almost totally chicken poop and worm poop. Now it doesn't stay fresh on top for long. Only a few days worth at once. There is never any smell.

When I set up the 8 inch deep planter bed on the back of the chicken coop I filled it halfway with just chicken litter as I didnt have enough bags of potting mix to fill it. I had 15 zucchini plants in that 5.5' x 2.75' space. All did superbly.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Thanks for the details. It's the details that make the difference. So, your coop is bare soil floor? Such a blessing in that!!!

 

[Lazy Gardener]

Interplanting / Living mulch: I am working on establishing groundcover in my garden as part of trying to go no-till. I started some white clover last year. I will be adding more clover and also creeping thyme this year. I used a lot of herbs as well and let them go to seed. I am hoping to choke out all the weeds! If a weed can grow there, why not an herb?

The white clover will increase the nitrogen in your garden. I'd love to see a progress report, especially if you can do a comparison of yield with the ground cover and without the ground cover. Thyme may act as an insect deterrent. Both would make great amendments to your coop bedding. Especially, the thyme in your nest boxes.

 

[Lazy Gardener]

I see the beginnings of a book, with all of the wisdom compiled here!