Orion Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 So, many of you know that I have become a pretty avid organic gardener over the past three years. Last year was our first year in a new space, and this year, I'm proud to unveil the work we have done at Wendigo Farms as of today. We spent quite a bit of time on ground prep this year. we covered the entire portion that you will see here with amazing black compost about a month ago, tilled it under, and then let it sit for a few weeks. The results have been amazing. All that you are about to see, except for the garlic patch, has been planted in the last two weeks... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/IMG_20130526_171735_601_zps3d9408b2.jpg This is our "guerilla garden" area. Ostensibly an experiment by Wendy's dad, essentially this is an attempt to grow, at least a little, like mam nature does it. Very close together, we expect this will be just packed with life. Lots of bush beans, some tomatoes, onions, and others I don't even remember. http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/IMG_20130526_171713_558_zps9d13a4d8.jpg This years pepper patch area. From right to left, potatos, onions, peppers, and asparagus. http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/IMG_20130526_171627_855_zpsdd10958f.jpg From right to left; red garlic, white garlic, elephant garlic, beets. The garlic was planted in October of last year. Garlic does MUCH better when you grow it through a winter. http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/IMG_20130526_171623_596_zpsb9e51881.jpg Tomatoes, red and white cabbage, and onions. Some of you may notice the stake amidst the cabbage. Those are also tomato plants. Nature doesn't ten to grown things in a segregated fashion, and neither do we. Many plants thrive when planted nigh on top of one another, tomatoes and cabbages get along like, well, peas and carrots. http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/IMG_20130526_171435_382_zps1bb1ef66.jpg The whole of the north garden at Wendigo Farms. Plus a pic of my dad...for the ladies. Fell free to fire off any questions you may have. Happy gardening! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Animal/bug control? No fence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted May 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Animal control provided by the pack of German Shepherds being raised by Wendy's father. They roam the area pretty much at will, and the varmints stay away (they actually brought down a deer last season!). Bug control is handled a few ways; the aforementioned companion planting does a lot to keep the bugs at bay, and we have also placed several bird feeders around the garden to help bring them in. Also, we have brought in about 400 praying mantises and given them the rein of the garden. We plant marigolds throughout (bugs tend to stay away from them), and also, the placement of our onions, garlic, and hot peppers is meant to deter baddies from the more delicate plants. As a last resort, we will spray a neem oil/water mix, but we haven't had to do that so far. We seem to get TONS of spiders roaming the garden, as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Also, we have brought in about 400 praying mantises and given them the rein of the garden. Seriously? Where the hell would you get those? I have heard lady bugs are good for mites, if that becomes an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trouble Maker Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Seriously? Where the hell would you get those? Orion holds an insect church every Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrs.cos Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Seriously? Where the hell would you get those? I have heard lady bugs are good for mites, if that becomes an issue. Lady bugs can quickly invasive.. Not sure I'd want them around Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted May 27, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Orion holds an insect church every Sunday. Lol. Actually, we have always seemed to have quite a few mantids here at the house, and the past few years, I've kind of kept track of them. When they lay their eggs, they do it in a cocoon, usually right on a stick. They typically lay about 200 eggs at a time. So, last time the laid, I snagged a couple of the cocoon and transported them up to the garden. They will probably be hatching here this week, I would think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpaceGhost Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Those things are freaking cool. I always stare at one for a while when I come across one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otis Nice Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 Animal control provided by the pack of German Shepherds being raised by Wendy's father. They roam the area pretty much at will, and the varmints stay away (they actually brought down a deer last season!). Bug control is handled a few ways; the aforementioned companion planting does a lot to keep the bugs at bay, and we have also placed several bird feeders around the garden to help bring them in. Also, we have brought in about 400 praying mantises and given them the rein of the garden. We plant marigolds throughout (bugs tend to stay away from them), and also, the placement of our onions, garlic, and hot peppers is meant to deter baddies from the more delicate plants. As a last resort, we will spray a neem oil/water mix, but we haven't had to do that so far. We seem to get TONS of spiders roaming the garden, as well. Doing it right. :fuckyeah: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion Posted June 2, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2013 Updates. Took some garlic scapes off our our elephant garlic this morning... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/Garden/IMG_20130602_124800_390_zps7015374d.jpg You can see that our companion planting is doing wonders for the tomato's and cabbage in this row... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/Garden/IMG_20130602_124724_548_zpsd270471e.jpg This is the garlic AFTER I trim the scapes off of it... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/Garden/IMG_20130602_124700_277_zpsc3ace35b.jpg The whole thing is going very well so far. Couldn't be happier at this point... http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h23/lhiannonshee/Garden/IMG_20130602_124618_382_zpsed6ff5b7.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted June 3, 2013 Report Share Posted June 3, 2013 http://mobstac.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Like-button-for-mobile-website.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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