freaky cheap gardening movie project - 200 square feet on YOUR property

Christopher Weeks wrote:Yeah, just what Marc said. I've been thinking about combining this project with the first two PEP BBs for hugelkulture (a 20-footer), but I strongly suspect that that doesn't maximize Calories or minimize work in the first year even if it does in the 4-20th.

Jim Garlits wrote:I didn't click the vote button because I'm assuming you want to know who is participating *within the parameters of the stated rules* and my zone isn't cold enough. It used to be, but *ahem* there's no such thing as global warming.* I just came here to wish good luck to those who are putting in the time and effort to help. Someday there'll be one for my Zone! *yes, I know there is.j

paul wheaton wrote:Gonna update temperature zone stuff:  if your garden is in an area that went to zero F or colder in the last ten years, then it qualifies.

paul wheaton wrote:Gonna update temperature zone stuff:  if your garden is in an area that went to zero F or colder in the last ten years, then it qualifies.

Timothy Norton wrote:For myself, I think the idea of participating in something with a common Permie goal is enough motivation.  Maybe the winner can choose to have a consultation with Paul (more content!) or something in that vein of experiences?

Michelle Heath wrote:Rereading this thread and wondering if a gas powered push mower is okay for creating those grass clippings and shredding leaves for mulch?

Was the fencing question clarified?  Deer are an issue here as well as rabbits.  T-posts and woven wire probably are out.

I'm assuming the ghost acre is an area set aside to grow green manures.  Can I harvest dead grasses and leaves from my 15 acre property to start out or do I need to stick with one acre?  I'm assuming the hours to gather materials counts as well.

What about firewood past it's prime on my property?  Can I wheel it to the new garden area and attempt some hugel-like beds?

Since saved seeds are okay, should we assign a value to them?

Burra Maluca wrote:We're not in the right climate zone to take part this year, but would it be ok if we select an area now, then mulch it with any spare grass cuttings we create over the coming year and cover it with landscape fabric (can we use what have? buy more if we don't have enough?) so it's ready to plant next year when the climate restriction is eased?

paul wheaton wrote:

Was the fencing question clarified?  Deer are an issue here as well as rabbits.  T-posts and woven wire probably are out.

My guess is that the fenced area is greater than the 200 square feet.  

Ashley Cottonwood wrote:I like the idea of monthly GAMCOD youtube meetings. A social aspect to the challenge is very appealing to me.

paul wheaton wrote:

Burra Maluca wrote:We're not in the right climate zone to take part this year, but would it be ok if we select an area now, then mulch it with any spare grass cuttings we create over the coming year and cover it with landscape fabric (can we use what have? buy more if we don't have enough?) so it's ready to plant next year when the climate restriction is eased?

What is the coldest moment in the last ten years?

Burra Maluca wrote:

paul wheaton wrote:

Burra Maluca wrote:We're not in the right climate zone to take part this year, but would it be ok if we select an area now, then mulch it with any spare grass cuttings we create over the coming year and cover it with landscape fabric (can we use what have? buy more if we don't have enough?) so it's ready to plant next year when the climate restriction is eased?

What is the coldest moment in the last ten years?

Coldest we've ever had is -11 C, which is 12 F.

So this year is out. But can we mark the plot out? Start throwing mulch on it? I figure the landscape fabric is a no-no as it's plastic, and I guess I'd have to figure out the humus content somehow before I start mulching. Or I could just mark it out and wait a year...

Skyler Weber wrote:Can we use urine generated onsite?

paul wheaton wrote:

Thekla McDaniels wrote:How about personal urine and or menstrual blood?
...

All sound fine to me!

Skyler Weber wrote:Double digging would also require huge amounts of labor and is an unsustainable solution as it expends the soil carbon and is the equivalent of plowing.

The resources from the ghost acre will be critical for the project. If you already have overwintered cover crops, they can be mixed in the soil to decompose, aerating the soil and adding both carbon and nitrogen for the subsequent crops. Leaves gathered from ghost acre can be spread on top to reduce moisture lost and soil erosion. If you have subchoke tubers, they will provide lots of biomass to supplement the nutritional need of the experimental garden.

Poor soil has a very fragile ecosystem and it can turn dead and eroded, worse than it is started with if it is not managed properly.