Organic vegetable growing manifesto 2009
Written by: adekun on 31 December, 2008 4:25 pm - Filed under: garden
To the left, three clover patches, each planted two weeks apart.
For the greater part of this year, the garden undertakings could be viewed as being half-arsed. By the same token, there was a great deal of eagerness in getting things in the ground. This zeal or impatience has proved to be to the detriment, rather than leading to bigger and better things. Good examples are the garlic and more so the onions. The latter appear thin and lank at a time when they should be standing to attention going into the new year. Unlike current economy policy, there shall be no retreat from the Laissez-faire approach. Apart from bug-poo, there have been no complaints from the kitchen.
These points however, do skirt around the main issue of why the year was mediocre. The underlining cause must be a lack of nutrients. Although the compost heap is running flat out, there simply isn’t enough kitchen waste to feed the plot. The problem was compounded in the spring when it was enlarged further. The price for attaining a degree of self sufficiency is now apparent in the subsequent plantings. In conclusion, it has been a mixed year, but one of many lessons. Eying the veg as the snow tumbles and sipping shōchū, a clear plan for the coming year should include:
- Comfrey
- Avoidance of the troubles caused by bad timing
- More from seed
- More salad
- Mulch
Hort Log
2 January, 2009 #
Hi Adekun,
Have a great gardening year ahead !
btw, I just realise my Singaporean friend is on a teaching contract in your province, teaching mainly your kids from the village. I am knowing more about your province from both you and she !
adekun
4 January, 2009 #
Interesting blog you have and thank you for the well wishes. I might be a little jealous – teaching from a village? That said, it’s not too busy here.
Jon in France
6 January, 2009 #
I made a huge improvement when we first arrived here and turned over a vinyard (not the most fertile places) for a veg patch by planting alf-alfa / lucerne. It meant a year out for a third of the plot at a time, but this stuff is not only nitrogen fixing but very deep rooting, bringing up minerals from in the subsoil.
Good luck with your garden in 2009. I look forward to reading more of your activity.
Alan
7 January, 2009 #
Isn’t every year a mixed year in the garden? Gardeners are the best at taking the good with the bad.
What’s the situation like for home gardeners buying fertilizers in Japan? What are you using for mulch? I’ve been experimenting with using shredded office paper since I can get it for free. It’s not pretty but it seems to work well.
…..Alan.
adekun
7 January, 2009 #
From what I’ve seen, it is pretty much chemical fertilizers/pesticides/herbicides all the way. They are a few farmers or growers that steer away from that, but certainly in the minority. What is common is the sowing of (I’m pretty certain) Chinese milk vetch.
Do need to find out what would be good for the garden. I guess I’ve be using clover as a mulch. The dry grass didn’t work too well with the garlic. Perhaps needed to lay it deeper. I should go out with a shovel and get rice husks – that worked well.
jake
9 January, 2009 #
Night soil
… the traditional fertilizer.
organic baby
12 April, 2009 #
Gardening has been one of my favorite past time. and the soil where i live is really good for vegetables. Your blog has really inspired few ideas for me. Thanks
)