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- Full Member
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- Joined: Fri May 19, 2017 5:14 am
- Location: Chester, Virginia USA - Zone 7 b
Veggie Garden Layout
Here in Chesterfield County, Virginia, USA, we have had some pretty bizarre weather during the month of May. Normally May is the ideal and totally safe month to plant warm weather crops. This year we've had temperate extremes of 40's F (5 C) at night to mid 90's F (35 C) during the day. During the cool periods plant growth pretty much came to a halt. Fortunately, with the return of warm and wet weather things are greatly improved. The attached photo shows my back yard garden (36 feet by 36 feet) (Aprox. 11 m) as of May 21, 2017. The soil is greatly enhanced by 25 years worth of composted manure and mulch. Walkways made of landscaping fabric makes access much easier during wet spells. A 3 ft. high small mesh fence keeps rabbits out and discourages chipmunks and squirrels. Ground hogs are another issue entirely. They can climb anything. I'll likely have to deal with them later in the season. Fortunately there are no deer in our mostly wooded small town setting. Visible in the photo are green beans, tomatoes in cages, lettuce, radishes and onions. Heirloom French marigolds are interspaced (white semi-circular fencing) between the tomato cages along the perimeter fence line. Five years of growing the pungent single-blossom tall marigolds has resulted in zero known instances of beetle damage. Wooden stakes support young climbing Scarlet Runner beans whose blossoms attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. I've been gardening for 50 years yet each year brings surprises and new learning opportunities. It's never boring. Thanks for your interest. Dandre - Chester, Virginia
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- Shanghaisky
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- Location: Upstate NY/ Zone 5a/b
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- Full Member
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2017 5:14 am
- Location: Chester, Virginia USA - Zone 7 b
I likely became focused on garden layout and design from the practices of my life-long gardening father as observed in the 1950's. His gardens were always a joy to behold. Thanks for your observations.Gary350 wrote:Interesting. I like it. Reminds me how my mother use to plant certain things in her garden.
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- Full Member
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Fri May 19, 2017 5:14 am
- Location: Chester, Virginia USA - Zone 7 b
Thanks for the comment. Brutal summer heat arrives here in June and cool weather crops like lettuce, spinach, radishes and onions fade away in the heat. My garden design has a purpose in that I try to keep the cool-weather items in areas where they will get partial afternoon shade to prolong their productive season.imafan26 wrote:Really beautiful and well organized.
That is a good plan. I am already past the best time for those crops. I can extend my season by planting in morning sun, under trees and using heat resistant varieties and substitutes. In Hawaii, March is time to plant the first summer crops. Now, is the time to harvest the last of the cool season crops. I do have a 365 day growing season so I can plant them again in the fall when the weather cools off.
I like the way you have it fenced in. It should help to keep some of the critters out.
I like the way you have it fenced in. It should help to keep some of the critters out.