GAMCOD1 - the quarter acre "control"

Dec 05, 2021 09:04:35

From "Grow a Million Calories on an acre, the first year, starting with dirt" --- Kinda trying out "Grow a Million Calories on Dirt, Year 1" or "GAMCOD1"

This thread is for talking about the quarter of an acre that is to remain flat. 20 crops are grown in rows - like a normal garden. As much irrigation as you like. Some "weeding" will be required. No mulch is allowed.

Drip irrigation is allowed.

Maybe two of the plots will be allowed to do "square foot gardening" instead of rows.

I think there are a few things that need to be figured out as far as what are the formal rules for this quarter acre. There is a bonus for raising a million calories, including this acre - so it seems like it is wise to get as many calories as possible from this acre with the provided limitations.

I do think we need to definine the requirements for the quarter acre. Mostly the 20 crops and the minimum calories of each crop. I think the thing to do is to require an attempt at 20, and then you have to meet the minimums of 16 of the 20 to qualify.

I think that there can a certain amount of purchased, or acquired fertilizers. Organic (OMRI) or better. But I think that for the "control" there needs to be a budget.

So what are the rules for the quarter acre?

Dec 05, 2021 17:47:22

I would start by requiring the same crop list as for the permaculture garden. Maybe pick from a list of 30 and you have to have grown at least 10k calories from 20 of them. If the requirements are the same, the "control" would be more of a control...

I think 2.5 to 3' wide beds is a pretty conventional organic way of growing. Especially for crops like carrots, greens, onions and other smaller stuff.

In general I think there should be rules that keep people from trespassing/tampering in other gardens.

Mar 18, 2022 11:31:26

Maybe permitting "french intensive" methods, or the "wide rows" featuring companion planting and/or living mulches?

Mar 27, 2022 11:19:30

This challenge is very interesting!
I'm trying to wrap my head around some of the"nuts and bolts" the 1/4 conventional organic- is it both rows and paths or only row beds agrigate. Also for the 3/4 artisan I'd assume some of this space would need to turned into shed structures for tools and supplies unless All the"out buildings" would be banished to this supplemental acer mentioned in a couple posts.
I'd love to try to be a contestant but would have a hard time selling hubby on "I want to move to Montana for 1-7 years! I don't know if the internet is robust enough to support your PC gamer lifestyle or would you stay here at nearly ' just friends' status until I get back!"

Jun 06, 2022 15:15:33

Aurora House wrote:This challenge is very interesting!
I'm trying to wrap my head around some of the"nuts and bolts" the 1/4 conventional organic- is it both rows and paths or only row beds agrigate. Also for the 3/4 artisan I'd assume some of this space would need to turned into shed structures for tools and supplies unless All the"out buildings" would be banished to this supplemental acer mentioned in a couple posts.
I'd love to try to be a contestant but would have a hard time selling hubby on "I want to move to Montana for 1-7 years! I don't know if the internet is robust enough to support your PC gamer lifestyle or would you stay here at nearly ' just friends' status until I get back!"

To me, this concept is compelling enough that a gamer might be compelled to trade the PC for a patch of earth. Just saying.

Jun 06, 2022 15:24:20

Beau Davidson wrote:
To me, this concept is compelling enough that a gamer might be compelled to trade the PC for a patch of earth. Just saying.

I'd turn in my PC so I could do this. My husband has terrible Hay fever but can't get out of the I need a lawn mindset. I keep trying to premie up our yard but if it isn't a golf course level lawn or look like it's from Martha Stewart's magizine our yard is "a shit show"and I just make more messes that he has to clean. So I don't see him as being as on board.

Jul 16, 2022 06:48:34

paul wheaton wrote:From "Grow a Million Calories on an acre, the first year, starting with dirt" --- Kinda trying out "Grow a Million Calories on Dirt, Year 1" or "GAMCOD1"

This thread is for talking about the quarter of an acre that is to remain flat. 20 crops are grown in rows - like a normal garden. As much irrigation as you like. Some "weeding" will be required. No mulch is allowed.

Drip irrigation is allowed.

Maybe two of the plots will be allowed to do "square foot gardening" instead of rows.

I think there are a few things that need to be figured out as far as what are the formal rules for this quarter acre. There is a bonus for raising a million calories, including this acre - so it seems like it is wise to get as many calories as possible from this acre with the provided limitations.

I do think we need to definine the requirements for the quarter acre. Mostly the 20 crops and the minimum calories of each crop. I think the thing to do is to require an attempt at 20, and then you have to meet the minimums of 16 of the 20 to qualify.

I think that there can a certain amount of purchased, or acquired fertilizers. Organic (OMRI) or better. But I think that for the "control" there needs to be a budget.

So what are the rules for the quarter acre?

Why the no mulch rule? No mulch makes much more of a challenge then there needs to be! Would this include things like living mulches (purslane, squash, etc) as well as dust mulching? Why no mulch and how flat is flat in this case? Many crops like raised rows to grow.

Aug 04, 2022 10:44:54

Is this project still alive? Is it on life support?
Has it passed on quietly during the night?

I JUST GOT ON PERMIES TO LOOK IT UP AGAIN, HAVING DECIDED I WANNA DO IT!!!

Aug 04, 2022 10:49:15

Mark Larkins wrote:Is this project still alive? Is it on life support?
Has it passed on quietly during the night?

I JUST GOT ON PERMIES TO LOOK IT UP AGAIN, HAVING DECIDED I WANNA DO IT!!!

Do it!!
https://permies.com/wiki/178360/hiring-gardener

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