Although it is still crazy hot here in Arizona, the temperatures have dropped enough (to a cool 100 degrees), that it's time for us to start working on our fall garden. A while back we tested our soil and found that our levels were way off so we tore everything out of our gorgeous garden and added some magically wonderful, organic compost from Singh Farms (if you're in the Phoenix area, you have to visit Singh Farms - coolest place ever).
My mom has been busy preparing some precious little seedlings and will transfer them to the garden when they're ready. We'll be growing a variety of lettuce, cucumbers, broccoli, leeks, radish, garlic, parsley, and basil among others.
The boys and the chickens loved having our company outside while we worked. Isn't Flo getting huge?? She is such a gorgeous hen.
Now that the weather is cooler, I had no excuse not to clean out the coop over the weekend. We shoveled every last speck of chicken bedding and put it in our compost pile (chicken poop is like gold for the garden!). We then hosed out the entire coop and laid down diatomaceous earth and fresh bedding. This was a dusty, stinky, messy job but it will keep our chickens happy and mite free. I was especially thankful for the Wellies I got for Christmas. It definitely looks like they've been broken in.
How about you all? What are you doing to prepare for a fall harvest?
9 comments:
I so badly want to start a garden. We just bought a house, so now i have some space! I have no experience though so i need to do a bit of research. You're garden looks amazing, I'm inspired...
No fall harvest over in my neck of the woods...
but your pictures make me want to badly!
Love your boots :)
Lynnette, this was our first year with a serious garden and the Phoenix Permaculture Guild has been an amazing resource. Check out their website if you haven't already - www.phoenixpermaculture.org.
Thanks, Lindsey. I figure if I have to shovel chicken poop, I must do it in cute boots ;)
every year i say- this is the year we start a garden! it's yet to happen :O)
yours looks beautiful.... as does Flo. i love that design is everywhere we turn:O)
My Brother-in-law lives in AZ, i'll have to let him know about Singh Farms- they are working on turning their yard of dirt into something a bit greener :O)
I am starting to see some seedlings sprout in my vegetable garden. Even though the days are cooler, I still can't wait for the temps to go down to the 80's :-)
I don't think I could be more jealous of the garden! I fully expect to see some of the results...you know because organic produce is so good when it's shipped across the country :)
Did you build your raised beds yourself, or did you order pieces from a horticultural store? We are moving in the fall and I'd love to have something like this be part of our outdoor projects next spring. We already participate in CSA's locally, but I think my kids would dig growing their own food. Thanks so much in advance!
nikinikinine, we built the raised beds ourselves with lumber from the local hardware store. For the soil, we brought in a truck load of organic soil from a local farm (amazing stuff and less expensive than buying from Home Depot or a place like that). My kids really have a blast with the garden and it's such a valuable lesson for them to know where their food comes from. Let me know if you have any other questions. Best of luck to you!
Thanks Grace :) for now I will continue to ogle your gorgeous veggies from my computer screen in NY. I can't wait to install a raised bed in our new home :)
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