Common Spring Questions
My answer: Yes. Lay hardware cloth under every raised bed, sticking out 3-4".
Moles make tunnels to find bugs.
Voles then use the tunnels to eat the roots of plants.
If possible, surround your garden bed area with metal edging to stop them from getting into the area.
Then get mole repellent stuff to sprinkle around your lawn so they are driven away.
A person can break an ankle stepping into one of those tunnels...
See example of mole repellent and metal edging
My answer: Ditto to what Charlie said - most crops are fine overnight and more worried about them getting too hot during the day in one of those greenhouses.
Daytime sunshine can harm them in those greenhouses. And you'll be at work and not able to vent or regulate the heat.
Random wind gusts can knock them over as well unless the structure is tied down well, with ropes over the top too.
My answer: What soil are they in? They want just topsoil or old potting soil without the nitrogen fertilizer. Bone meal near the root zone. Bloom fertilizer when leaves are around 4 inches.
My answer: I have pex and garden fencing for my front yard beds. I spray painted the pex black and it looks like wrought iron..see below
My answer: I would first lay a single layer of cardboard in the whole space.
Then decide where walking paths would be and add mulch or woodchips there.
Then pile 6-10" of compost directly on the cardboard, in the garden bed spaces.
Then plant and water in.
😀
My answer: Haha! I'm taking mine out of the office and into the greenhouse today.
Apparently last year they got booted from the too-hot GH and into the ground on 5/10.
21 tomato plants. And they were fine...
The teens are having a rummage sale next Saturday so I'll be donating some.
My post:
Now is the time to plant
Spring veggies
Trees
Shrubs
Berry canes and bushes
Perennials
DIY or I'll do it for you.
https://www.thelazynortherngardener.com/consultation
Reply
My answer:
Look up "fruit tree guild" and consider planting friends around it 😀 Everyone does better with friends. The herbs and other plants will draw in good bugs, repel bad bugs, help trap and slow water so the tree benefits, shade roots and look and smell and taste nice. And a larger bed will keep mowers from hurting the tree bark and compressing the tree roots. 😀 https://youtu.be/jNaesMxkH68
You might also consider moving your bird feeders away from the tree area or not feeding through the warm months. Birds LOVE cherries. 🍒 And straw to build their nests.
I love birds too 😀 I take down seed feeders and put up hummer and oriole feeders out front and side so I can see them through the window while I work. Still waiting for them to get here...
I like to say that birdwatching is cheaper than therapy but probably not LOL
My answer: Mix 1 part topsoil, 1 part compost and .5 builder's sand for drainage. Can do on a tarp or in a wheelbarrow or even layers that you mix after adding.
My answer: More cups - split basil into their own cups. Add more soil to tomato cups - cover stems. Plant outside: swiss chard and any cabbage lettuces. Corn - plant seeds outside May 1st. Vining plants do best planted outside as seeds - mid May.
Shrubs are good for roaming chickens. You can also plant LARGE pots of perennial flowers around each shrub.
Fence the circles the first year with 2 foot garden fencing and if you catch them inside, take them out firmly and yell at them. Add about 3 inches if compost around them - as mulch - don't till in.
After the first year, you can add wood chops as mulch, remove the fencing and the plants will live well with chickens.
Don't plant close to the house though. Leave at least 6' of space to mow behind the beds and so the plants get enough sunshine.
My reply: If you do, secure the greenhouse from wind way more than you think is needed. If it tips or blows away your babies are exposed or harmed. Big winds coming this weekend.
My answer: Cloches made from milk jugs or 2 liter bottles may help your little green buddies survive 😀
Same with row covers, small hoops houses or even secured frost cloth.