A few weeks ago Kelly and I decided to build a vegetable garden in our backyard. We had been talking about it for a while and it's been something we've been eager to do, just hadn't gotten around to. We made the decision last week when we were up in Boston for Easter so we made sure to grab some supplies we knew we'd need. Leaves and newspapers. Bob-dog still had a few piles on the edge of the back yard so we bagged those up and snagged a ton of newspapers since we don't get the paper delivered daily to the house.
As with any project...its gotta start with a trip to the hardware store! Here's Kelly, relegated to the back seat since the 2x8's had to ride shotgun!
Once we got home it was time to unload all the supplies and start laying things out. Riding back with two bags full of manure was perhaps the worst part of this entire project. We had all the windows down too!
We were about to construct what many of you have probably heard of before...a "lasagna garden". It essentially means that you build up alternating layers of organic material and peat moss topped off by some enriched soil and mulch to keep everything moist. Just like making a dish of lasagna.
First step was to level the ground. It didn't look bad, but once we snapped a string line we were sloping 6inches over 10feet. Needed to do a bit of digging to level things out.
Time to lay down 3 layers of newspaper and water it down. This prevents weeds from growing!
Layer of grass clippings. [and a few egg shells and coffee grinds thrown in for good measure!]
Layer of leaves.
In the end we planted several types of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, a few herbs, some green beans and a few heads of lettuce. Can't wait until it's all ready for harvest!
And here's the final product...Complete with fencing to keep any pesky varmints out!
So if this thing works I'm sure it'll be because of the imported leaves from Norfy and Boston Globe pages!
I think that there's actually a law here in NJ that you have to install your own backyard garden at some point...they do call it the "garden state", right?
[all photos taken with the cell phone, so please disregard the poor quality]
By manure, I thought you were refering to the Boston Globe.
Posted by: Patrick | May 04, 2011 at 09:51 AM
Hope the fencing keeps out the varmints!!!
Posted by: Eileen | May 04, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Unfortunetly your "Jersey" tomatoes won't taste quite as good due to you using the Boston Globe. You should have used the Courier Post. Contact me next year for newspapers.
Posted by: chaos | May 04, 2011 at 01:47 PM
Your garden looks professional guys...puts ours to shame!
Posted by: Katie Clev | May 10, 2011 at 03:36 PM