This is the second installment of several following our vegetable garden’s progress
Part Two: Sad Burnt Garden
It rained pretty much all day yesterday and the temps turned cold. Snow was forecast but nothing happened. This all came together though to make a good day to burn off the garden and an adjacent field.
Controlled Burning
Burning can be a beneficial practice for a garden as it helps to remove unwanted plant debris and replenish the soil with essential nutrients. When plant material, such as leaves, branches, and weeds, are burned, they release nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus back into the soil. This can help improve soil fertility, which in turn can promote healthy plant growth. Additionally, burning can help control the spread of disease and pests by eliminating plant material that may harbor these problems. However, it is important to note that burning can also have negative effects on the environment, such as air pollution and habitat destruction, and should be done with caution and consideration of local regulations. Where I live, it’s pretty much a free for all so we can burn, shoot guns, etc. and no one blinks an eye.
Next Steps: Prepping the Beds
Preparing the vegetable garden beds is a crucial step in achieving a successful harvest. The first step is to clear the area of any debris, weeds, or rocks that may hinder plant growth. The soil should then be loosened to a depth of at least six inches to allow for proper root growth. Adding organic matter such as compost, aged manure, or shredded leaves can improve soil fertility and structure. After incorporating the amendments, the soil should be smoothed and leveled before planting. Creating raised beds can also be beneficial as they provide better drainage and prevent soil compaction. With proper garden bed preparation, vegetables can thrive and produce a bountiful harvest.
We use raised beds for our garden with one of them being reserved for a hugelkultur experiment that may work out great or not at all. We had a truckload of compost delivered last year which we dumped in one leg of our circle driveway which only took about three months to clear out, so that was fun. Even though it was a pain to move the massive pile of compost, it was much more cost effective. Now that the beds are established, we should just be able to supplement with bags of compost from the box stores. There have been talks of getting some aged chicken manure from one of my wife’s coworkers but I believe negotiations have stalled for the moment.
Planting
Many of the cold weather crops such as parsnips, carrots, turnips, etc. can go out pretty much anytime now once the beds are prepped. I doubt I’ll be starting many seeds indoors, probably just the marigolds and nasturtium. Timing is important and it’s a bit of an art to not start too early or too late. Really, not too much report on the planting front as it’s still standby mode season. Things will definitely start to ramp up exponentially though!
One last burning picture:
Final Thoughts
Vegetable gardening is not only a practical activity, but can also be a spiritual one. It allows us to appreciate the beauty and goodness of God’s creation, and to exercise good stewardship over the earth. The process of planting, nurturing, and harvesting our own vegetables can also teach us important lessons about patience, perseverance, and the value of hard work. Additionally, by sharing our harvest with others, we can follow Jesus’ example of generosity and love for our neighbors.