what did you learn from this summers garden? | Page 2 | Food Production and Preservation | Forums

This year we planted a few things in the front yard along the house again and I did a test 2x4 square foot garden in the back yard in one of the few areas in the back that get enough sun to garden. Damn squirrels have probably never eaten better. The square foot garden did alright, but I think it needs another hour or two of good sun a day to make it work really well.

Our neighbours took down a tree on our property line this year that put a lot more sun on a patch of sandy infill along side our house. I did not think it made much of an impact until I had to weed there for the first time ever. Que tiny light bulb over my head. Next year that space is going to get a 6 or 8 by 10 or 12 raised bed. I might even build a DIY greenhouse there to extend the season and keep the damn squirrels out. I am really excited to get this formerly dead space producing food!

Some of the things I learned this year were:

1. corn in a sfg is too labor intensive for my liking.

2. I've got to plant earlier to get a yield of cool weather crops before I plant my main summer garden.

3. I learned a lot about the yields of different veggies, so I'll have a better plan for next year's garden in terms of allotted space.

4. I've got to lay down some weed blocker between my beds, the straw method worked to begin with, then got taken over by grass and it turned into a jungle...