Hello everyone. We may never have the weedless garden; however we can obtain a garden free of a weed problem. Good enough for me. I have found that we can reach the euphoria in four consecutive steps.
First, we prepare the area we are to use ( as directed in previous issues) including weeding, tilling, amending, etc. leaving areas that will not be used for planting untilled (so as not to disturb the soil therefore awakening any dormant weed seeds) and using these areas for walkways or paths. If you have already tilled, apply a pre-emergent like Preen or a like product and re-compact.
Second, hoe your rows and plant desired veggies with similar pH requirements together as to benefit from shared symbiotic correlation. In other words, shade plants with shade plants, full sun plants with full sun plants, drought tolerant with drought tolerant, etc. This also allows us to use one, maybe only two, kinds of feed we need to purchase for our garden. We all prefer all-in-ones, however when in life is that really applicable while reaching optimal results? Shades of green guys! Thumbs come in all colors and none turn overnight. Even the nastiest bruise takes a day to show its true colors and green is usually an indication (along with purple) of the impact we sustained. So all is ok. We can and will achieve so long as we try, pray, hope and believe.
Third, after hoeing and planting our rows, allowing space and respect for maturity, straw is a cheap and resourceful choice to use as a top mulch to suppress weeds, protect the root base from the harsh sun, and to conserve water by retaining moisture. Straw also decomposes for the next year as an essential additive when plowed under. Some have laid newspaper and reached the same results. Be creative. Wet newspaper, grass clippings free of weeds, etc. Weed block cloth can also be used if you have the money to spend.
The fourth step is drip irrigation. Drip irrigation is the key to weed free success. Think about it. If we only water our plants, only our plants get watered. If we overhead water (lazy but common) every seed including weed seeds get woke up and encouraged to grow. Drip irrigation is actually easy to install. Take your hose bib, install a saddle valve and run you hose with tees, leaders and desired heads to choice destinations. Come see me or any senior plumbing associate. It sounds big but we even sell kits to get you started. Also, try not to water paths and walkways.
*For more info on drip irrigation visit www.MotherEarthNews.com and read “Irrigation Made Easy”.
Another thing to remember: I know a lot of you want organic gardens. Ok, so for you, use straight manure to kill anything you apply it to. It is hot enough to kill out anything that’s growing. However, manure is the best fertilizer tilled in.
If anyone has any secrets or tricks they would like to share please send them in. I welcome the shared knowledge. Imagine if everyone who knew anything never shared any of it with anyone. Knowledge is the one thing we do take with us when we go. Something so precious therefore should definitely not be left behind. Mommy I miss you so much. Part of me went with you, but thank God most of you stayed behind within me. I am who I am because of your knowledge, patience, skill and love. You truly were and are a paradox.
Thank you Ken and Sherie and everyone else who mailed, prayed, cried with me or simply came to see me with a gentle word.
Love always, your Plant Lady.
God’s Garden
God looked around his garden and He found an empty place
He then looked down upon the earth and saw your precious face.
He put his arms around you, and lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain,
He knew you’d never ever, get well on earth again.
So He closed your weary eyelids, and whispered “Peace be thine” then He took you up to Heaven with hands so gentle and kind.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone, for part of us went with you, the day God welcomed you home.
*In loving memory of my mother Mary Elizabeth Walker, May 14, 1944 to April 15, 2010.