Last year, I had a small drip irrigation system on a timer for watering my container garden. This year I would like to do the same thing, but will need some different hardware since I am increasing square footage considerably. After some extensive online research, I found a few manufacturers of drip-line, each with different spacing and flow rates. I decided to go with 12 inch spacing (one per square) with .6 gph per emitter which I found on eBay for quite a deal. Ordered it today, see what it looks like in 7-10 days when it arrives.
Category Archives: Garden Planning
More Seeds
Found a type of Jalapeno from Burpee’s website called a False Alarm Hybrid. Appears to be what I was looking for in a tame pepper. I also found an indeterminate Roma, as all of the one in the stores are determinate and I want vines to save space. I ordered those as well as onion sets and seed potatoes.
Seeds
While formulating my plan, I visited various stores to look at different varieties and picked up packets along the way. I haven’t ventured into anything too extravagant, mostly just straight out of the Burpee displays. I now have every seed I need except for the Jalapeno peppers (will get the starter potato and onion sets later). Looking for peppers that have flavor but not heat, and everything I can find right now is pretty much a standard pepper. Off to the Internet…
The Plots
I will be creating 5 -4’x4′ raised beds, and have arranged my garden how I think it will fit best. Some of it was based on companion planting, but most because of where trellises would need to be and orientation to the sun.
The Plan
After much deliberation, I finally have a completed plan. I wanted to expand my garden into the backyard, but wasn’t sure what would be best for space and small child considerations. I spent a lot of time online and bought All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew a few weeks ago. The Square Foot Gardenging method seemed to make the most sense for growing in a small yard, and since the book contains a great deal of information about the plants themselves (including planting schedules), it is a great resource.
In the beginning…
In 2009, I tried my hand at growing tomatoes, peppers, and green onions in containers next to my garage. This year, I decided to create raised beds in my backyard, Square Foot Garden style. This blog will chronicle my journey, from planning and building, to planting and harvesting.