Last Years Garden

Posted by Catherine Ray on February 23, 2023

The summer of 2022 was the first time I planted a garden. The previous years I’ve always started seeds to transplant but I would get overwhelmed or never put enough energy into the garden to get a crop, but last year I was determined and motivated. I did a ton of research on how to amend the soil, I looked up companion planting and most importantly I started out SMALL. I knew I would get excited and want to plant all types of veggies which in turn would overwhelm me and make me burn out leading to yet another failed garden attempt. So late winter I picked a few seeds based off of what I always buy at the grocery store, like zucchini and corn to plant and started them in pots indoors.

I decided I wanted to create raised beds using some old railroad ties a friend had given me. Using the railroad ties I shaped two 4 foot by 8 foot rectangles next to each other with 3 feet in between them, creating my first two raised beds. I lined the bottom with cardboard to help suffocate whatever was growing underneath because cardboard is compostable meaning in time the cardboard will turn into organic matter and boosts nutrients for the soil. I also bought a cattle panel and tied it down to some T-posts between both raised beds making an arched trellis tunnel that I could walk through.

To save money filling up the raised beds I used small branches and leaves that I had collected as the first layer and then I mixed some in-ground soil, manure, perlite, coconut coir and blood meal ( I’m probably forgetting something) and used this is the main layer in the raised beds. All of the products listed can be found at your local farm supply store or home improvement store, I usually shop around for the best deal. There are tons of recipes online for DIY garden soil, Pinterest and TikTok both have tons of content.

Once the raised beds were done I waited until later in the day for the temperatures to get cooler to transplant my seedlings that I had sprouted so they don’t become stressed and die off. It’s important that if you started your plants indoors or bought some plants from a greenhouse you want to be sure to harden off your plants. Hardening off is the process of gradually introducing the outside elements to your seedlings. Usually we start seeds indoors, in a controlled environment where they don’t have to deal with wind, rain or direct sunlight so they are pretty fragile. About 2 weeks before you plan on transplanting you should put your seedlings outside for a short period of time and gradually increase the amount of time they are outside in the elements, this process will help them create stronger stems and prepare them for the environment they would be moved into. Your plants may need more or less time depending on the plant itself.

After transplanting I thoroughly watered each plant and heavily mulched the beds, I chose alfalfa hay to mulch because of how long lasting it is and mostly because of the high nitrogen content that would be spread to the soil as it breaks down. I made sure to wet the Alfalfa Hay so it wouldn’t blow away in the wind. I watered pretty often at first to make sure the plants were established then I watered around 3-4 times a week depending on the temperatures and how much rain we got. Never water your garden during the heat of the day because the sun rays could scorch and burn the leaves, in my area summer temperatures are usually in the 90's and 100's daily and I try to water in the cooler times of the day like early morning or evening.

I spent many of my summer evenings out checking the garden, trimming the plants, watching out for pests and admiring all the work I’ve done. I had some struggles with squash bugs trying to get my zucchini and pumpkins but that was about it insect wise. Something had dug a few holes in one of my beds, I'm assuming it was a fox that had bunkered down in the bushes right next to my garden, or it could've been one of the many stray dogs in my neighborhood that I always seem to be struggling with in one way or another.

The harvest was small but It was my first ever so i was extremely excited and grateful for everything I got. I had 4 Mammoth Sunflowers that I was able to harvest and feed to my chickens. I also got some zucchini, tomatoes, green beans, watermelon and pumpkins. There was a few things I planted that I had no success with like a Scorpion pepper plant I bought from our local Greenhouse, and potatoes. I learned a lot last year and I am excited for this next season. I currently have plants ready for transplanting and bags of soil waiting to fill the Garden beds I just extended, I'll be trying new things and making some changes for the 2023 Growing season that I'll be sharing soon so like always check back often for new content. Thanks for being apart of this crazy dream of mine I can't wait to share more with you! Find us on Social Media for daily content and small tidbit.

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-Shelby Ray

Let Her Roam

Red Dirt Ranchette