testing my bnlog

testing my blog as my solution

Back Patio

My Ugly Garden starts at the threshold of my doors which lead outside. Weeds have invaded as well as my junk. Potential lies within the junk and weeds represent fertile ground to grow domesticated plants. As winter approaches I need to prepare a controlled fire area and easier access to my back patio. The front yard has always been a winter project since I plan to move my Roses after the first ten freezing nights.

Garden weed covering

Wheat Straw natural covering 

Weeding my yard is a task I often  leave for winter when the weeds die off and I can till them into the soil. Each spring I devise a new method to control the weeds between my vegetable plants. For years I have  used Weed fabric to establish a weed free vegetable plot. Frabric is easy and affective but this year I wanted to find a natural ground covering.

Pine Straw natural covering

 I choose Wheat Straw, Carolina pine straw and mustard green seeds.  A few weeks after my May planting I have come to a point where I need to weed all three plots.  While not as affective as weed fabric the natural coverings have helped control the weeds.

The Mustard Greens seed covering has slowed the grow of all the plants in the plot. The Mustard Greens seed plants have developed big leaves and will soon go to seed in the summer heat. I am hoping the other  plants in the plot will then develop as they compete with the mustard seed plants for dominance in the plot. This plot has produced very few weeds as the Mustard Green plants have covered every inch.

The vegtables in the Carolina Pine straw have developed well and the Carolina Pine straw has done a good job of keeping the weeds to a minuim. I still need to weed this plot before my early summer harvast and I need to replenish with another Carolina Pinestraw bail.

Mustard Greens Seed plants 

I feel the best option has been the Wheat Straw. While I have a few more weeds than the Pine Straw the vegetable plants in this plot have developed larger and quicker. My main attraction to wheat straw is I can return it back to my soil.

While the fabric has always been a reliable garden crutch I know a natural ground covering is my most sound option. While I am leaning to wheat straw I know my solution rest with the mustard green concept of finding competing plants.

Soil in my sole helps my soul

Over the years I have collected old boots. My busy life has meant reducing task which steal minutes from my daily life. Polishing my work boots has never been a priority. The scratches and worn toes are a testament of hard work and vast experience. To be a success in life it is better to wear out your work boots than the seat of your work pants.

It is inevitable all gardeners find themselves standing in raw dirt wearing their good shoes. One should never buy a shoe or boot which is unsuitable in the garden. My size eleven basic black pumps with seven inch heels are perfect for planting by seed.

My choice is the Vasque Sundowner. A hiking boot with a classic shell design, strong ankle support and a hard decade of life stitched into a boot. I buy a new pair every year when most people own their only pair a lifetime. Rain, snow, sand, hot concrete, this waterproof boot performs at a consistence comfort. Gardening is about comfort and safety, proper foot wear is your first priority.

You need to cover up your toes and the back of your ankle. Tennis shoes are nothing more than a flip flop covered in fabric. Look at your feet anytime you start a tiller, lawn mower or weeder. Always keep your feet away from the tip of a shovel and don't stick your toe with a pitch fork.

Gardening is about eating so keep your feet safe so you can place them under the dinner table.