So, I'm creating a bit of a hybrid system for the standard Large Grains, Fabaceae, Cucurbitaceae, and King Stropharia guild.
I'm starting by digging holes in the
lawn 1 ft deep, 2 ft wide, and 4.5 ft apart on centers in a loose grid over a large area. The soil and sod are set aside on a tarp. I'm filling the holes with woody debris, leaves, and topping the
wood with year old manure that was digested by BSF. Then the dead sod goes on top of the wood and manure. The soil removed from the holes is being mixed with
compost, lime, and other amendments, and is going to be piled up in low domes over the sod and will have the seeds sown directly into them, with a topping of partially decayed
hay as erosion control. This fall, I hope to get the annual food production gardens fully mulched with wood chips, and that includes the spaces between mounds. All of the chips will be inoculated with King Stropharia
mushrooms.
The large grains this year are Northstine Dent Corn and Sweet Corn. The legumes are bush beans and snap peas. The Cucurbitaceae are 8 kinds, and so many are started that there will be overflow. The simple turned mounds for the excess squashes and melons will be also inhabited by radishes to repel squash pests.
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