Starting a new 200 square foot garden: Joseph Lofthouse

I will participate in a sister-project, by growing a 200 square foot garden in an out-of-the-way corner of a yard. I can't conscientiously participate in the gamcod contest, because dirt doesn't exist in my ecosystem. I only have access to soil.

I have selected a hedge of sumac trees next to my driveway as the location. I'll set aside a patch of ground 6 feet wide and 33.3 feet long. I'll plant it into corn, beans, squash, rye, and some green leafy things. Because shrubs already grow there, I'll cultivate with hand tools like a shovel and hoe. I live in the deep desert, therefore will irrigate.

I lack qualifications to determine the difference between dirt and soil. No soil improvement activities have happened on the ground in decades. Many sumacs died during the last 5 years, therefore the dead roots might form a sort of hugel.

Growing a garden among trees sucks, but it's an available, out of the way place that hasn't hosted a garden before.  

Perhaps I will also make a 16 foot diameter circle in the wildlands, and plant it into rye. I can grow rye without irrigation.

Can’t wait to see what you grow, Joseph!

And are you thinking you’ll get a grain crop from the rye?

I can grow rye in my ecosystem without irrigation. And without weeding (if I had planted it in the fall). I may have to till to grow it as spring grain.

Great idea.

I might give it a try as soon as I have ground again.

In theory, I could grow a patch of wild rye on the side of a road somewhere. If I didn't till, how would anyone know?

Great thinking!

Growing a garden among trees sucks, but it's an available, out of the way place that hasn't hosted a garden before.  

Think of the positive:  The goal of the project is to convince a viewer that they can start a garden even if there are trees in the area that is available.  Looking forward to how you demonstrate the solutions that gardening among trees provides like shade and support materials.  Be sure to talk about that permaculture principle as you record the process.  We are teaching permaculture thinking is what will make gardening posible for that  new person.

Here's the site I've chosen.

Looks like birds nests. How will their presence be incorporated into the plan?  Was the photo morning or evening?   How is the shading incorporated into the plant location advantageous to it temperature preferences?  How will stone location effect water retention and direction to root zones?   Looking forward to how you incorporate those elements into your design.  

The sunflower heads in the trees supposedly feed the birds, but they didn't use them.

I don't care at all about shading. During summer, the sun shines from all directions.

I use sprinkle irrigation, therefore stones don't matter. I expect to remove them to make planting and weeding easier.

Joseph, any updates on how your project went?

Ha! Life got in the way. I moved. Then moved back...

Joseph Lofthouse wrote:Ha! Life got in the way. I moved. Then moved back...

Yes, life tends to be like that:)

Glad all is well.