The dawn of a new year always brings anticipation, hope, and plans for the months ahead. This 2023, I’ve decided to gaze into the proverbial crystal ball and lay down a roadmap for our garden – one that meets the unique challenges this year brings.
Aref and I will be ushering in some significant changes in our lives, with him working abroad intermittently. The implications? Our beloved garden will need to evolve into a more self-reliant space. While the very thought is exhilarating, it also unfurls a carpet of concerns – dehydration and those relentless weeds topping the list. But as every gardener knows, for every problem, there’s always a solution, or in our case, multiple!
1. Embracing Cover Cropping:
For those unfamiliar, think of this as a protective blanket for the soil. By using grass clippings to envelop the ground around our plants, we intend to retain moisture and deter those pesky weeds. It’s an age-old method with promising results.
2. The Magic of Interplanting:
Nature thrives in unity. We plan to adopt the technique of growing crops side-by-side, especially those that complement each other. Imagine zucchinis nestling with corn, or butternut squash playing companion to beans. This symbiosis not only keeps the weeds at bay but also ensures the soil remains shielded from the harsh sun.
3. Automating Hydration:
Our greenhouse poses a unique challenge. With no rainfall seeping in, we must be extra vigilant. While some of our deep-rooted plants, like grapes, have the luxury to draw water from the outer edges due to the lack of flooring, others aren’t so fortunate. We’re still brainstorming the perfect automatic watering system, but trust that we’ll land on a solution soon.
4. Going Pot-less:
To mitigate dehydration risks, we’re bidding adieu to pots this year. Direct ground planting will be our modus operandi, ensuring the roots have consistent access to moisture.
5. The Power of Pre-cultivation:
While it’s ambitious to pre-cultivate everything, we’ll aim high! Giving our seeds a head start indoors should, in theory, give them an edge over the weeds.
Despite our best-laid plans, nature, with its inherent unpredictability, will throw its curveballs. We anticipate a few casualties to pests, dehydration, or the fierce competition of weeds. However, the silver lining remains – many plants will not just survive, but thrive. And I hold onto the conviction that our garden will grace our plates generously this year as well.
Whant to know what happend? Check it out here!
Grounded gardens 