I put tomato cages over my potato plants to help them stand up. I think it provides for more air flow through the plant and reduces the possibility of blight. Also it keeps my cat from knocking the plants over. I have lots of tomato cages. I like the heavy gauge round wire kind. They are galvanized and last a long time.
I've had sweet potatoes that sprawl in a minibed, and even paste tomato plants, and squash, too. Maybe I should try a T-post for them this year. I'm growing a bush, white cucumber in a minibed so I don't have to trellis, and might need to T-post it. Thanks for the good idea!
I've thoroughly enjoyed your book using it over and over through the years. Might as well go get me some wisdom out of it, instead of making mistakes. I bought the 11 ml reused billboard plastic and never had weeds come up, I'm so glad, because in the row garden I do have to weed with the hoe, almost daily. Yep, you have to have boundaries for your business hours so there aren't "trespassers". Good to see your garden progress. Mine is about where yours is. I've decided, from experience here in zone 9, that I will start germinating even hot crops early to get an earlier yield on squash, melons, and onions. Especially onions because I direct sowed their seed and it's such a slow process coming up. Starts would be better. Garden and learn! Also, I've learned to germinate more than I need because the birds and voles have found out where food is, in the garden, and I need plenty of replacement crops; especially mature replacement crops that they can't steal, bite in half, or otherwise ruin. It occurred to me as you described aerating your soil, that's probably why I seldom have minibed weeds, because, though they are no-till gardens, they are aerated; it's said weeds grow well where it is anaerobic.
I've definitely gone with smaller beds this year, and it's definitely an improvement. Mine are 30-36 inches wide and various lengths from about 2 to 7 feet. Way easier to go out and knock out one bed's worth of work when they're such a manageable size. And way easier to reach everything than it was in my old 4 ft. wide beds.
You’re an amazing guy! I love the way you figure all the details out . The trash bag idea is great! Someday I may do the minibed style garden. I’m not sure they would work without watering for me, there isn’t much in the way of ground moisture here. Right now I just have mounded beds 4x12. Raised beds don’t work well for me because I live in a very arid climate, they dry out too fast. I like the silage tarp, I was wondering how you used the woven weed fabric for years without having weeds growing through it. I think espalier is pronounced es-pal-yay. Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it!
I’m planting grapes this year. I use your book every spring, it seems I always need a refresher on strawberries because I keep several beds of them but this year I’ll have to glean some grape advice.too. Your garden looks great Mr. Kimball. Blessings, TeresaSue
Your enthusiasm is infectious ! thanks
I put tomato cages over my potato plants to help them stand up.
I think it provides for more air flow through the plant and reduces the possibility of blight. Also it keeps my cat from knocking the plants over.
I have lots of tomato cages. I like the heavy gauge round wire kind.
They are galvanized and last a long time.
Amazing idea. Thank you 🙏🏼💜🇨🇦
and a comment.....great stuff....post more please
I've had sweet potatoes that sprawl in a minibed, and even paste tomato plants, and squash, too. Maybe I should try a T-post for them this year. I'm growing a bush, white cucumber in a minibed so I don't have to trellis, and might need to T-post it. Thanks for the good idea!
Great info thank you.
I've thoroughly enjoyed your book using it over and over through the years. Might as well go get me some wisdom out of it, instead of making mistakes. I bought the 11 ml reused billboard plastic and never had weeds come up, I'm so glad, because in the row garden I do have to weed with the hoe, almost daily. Yep, you have to have boundaries for your business hours so there aren't "trespassers". Good to see your garden progress. Mine is about where yours is. I've decided, from experience here in zone 9, that I will start germinating even hot crops early to get an earlier yield on squash, melons, and onions. Especially onions because I direct sowed their seed and it's such a slow process coming up. Starts would be better. Garden and learn! Also, I've learned to germinate more than I need because the birds and voles have found out where food is, in the garden, and I need plenty of replacement crops; especially mature replacement crops that they can't steal, bite in half, or otherwise ruin. It occurred to me as you described aerating your soil, that's probably why I seldom have minibed weeds, because, though they are no-till gardens, they are aerated; it's said weeds grow well where it is anaerobic.
Just discovered. Love this system
I've definitely gone with smaller beds this year, and it's definitely an improvement. Mine are 30-36 inches wide and various lengths from about 2 to 7 feet. Way easier to go out and knock out one bed's worth of work when they're such a manageable size. And way easier to reach everything than it was in my old 4 ft. wide beds.
I will try this myself. Ty for the input.
You’re an amazing guy! I love the way you figure all the details out . The trash bag idea is great! Someday I may do the minibed style garden. I’m not sure they would work without watering for me, there isn’t much in the way of ground moisture here. Right now I just have mounded beds 4x12. Raised beds don’t work well for me because I live in a very arid climate, they dry out too fast. I like the silage tarp, I was wondering how you used the woven weed fabric for years without having weeds growing through it. I think espalier is pronounced es-pal-yay. Thanks for the video, I enjoyed it!
I like the rye grass cover crop idea, I just never seem to come across rye seed. 🙄
Mail order. Johnny's Seeds has it for sure. Others probably for less $.
I’m planting grapes this year. I use your book every spring, it seems I always need a refresher on strawberries because I keep several beds of them but this year I’ll have to glean some grape advice.too. Your garden looks great Mr. Kimball. Blessings, TeresaSue
do you find the rebar is necessary?
Not necessary. Others have used wood and pvc pipe. But some sort of pin is needed in 3 corners to keep the frame indexed in place.
Why do you not have raccoons if you’re putting scraps down?
Hmm, good question!