RocksInMyGarden

I thought I would do like some of you have and start a "showcase" of my garden.

2010 Garden, yes it's rows, but this is a good shot of our area, and I love the fact that it's raining.


2011 Garden-most of it, yes my husband rowed his choices.

Beginning of 2011


What we have done so far this year.

And from the front (West side).


The building behind is our 3/4 complete Chicken Coop.

Rock on, Val. You'll get him yet.

I wish I had that much room, after it is all converted to raised beds there won't be much work to do except harvest, replenish and replant, almost.

We have just over an acre total, and half of that just was sitting there.

What I am working on now is just under 1/8th of our property. I would like to go further South with 3 rows of 5-8x4 boxes for rotating and letting chickens and rabbits in tractors have at the empty boxes for a couple weeks at a time. Each year 1 row of 5 boxes would get the year off. We have 4 kids, two grown (one of those moved out) and two under 18. I also share with my husband's mom, who used to share with us, and occasionally his dad, and when I can get to KY I take some to my parents. So we are gardening for food for canning and the freezer not just summer food. The kids and I like corn, and it takes alot of corn to feed us, so that's why I want the extra boxes in the future. That and I am having fun reading about companion planting and crop rotation, so this is also an experiment.

I guess I should explain the name for my thread, it's the name of my blog, and YES do we ever have rocks in our garden, some we remove, and some I bring in. I'm a rock collector, don't know the names of them, I just put them in the back of the truck and bring them home. I hope to get enough flat rocks to make a waterfall for a water garden I hope to get in, but I was just informed my current spot will be covered by a porch in a year or two, (translation, when hubby gets time or feels like it which could be tomorrow or 20 years from now).

So ambitious, Val. Sounds like great plans for your garden. Growing enough to can and freeze, on top of fresh spring, summer and fall veggies for so many will take all those new beds. Enjoy!

FarmerValerie wrote:snip .....with 3 rows of 5-8x4 boxes for rotating and letting chickens and rabbits in tractors have at the empty boxes for a couple weeks at a time. ..... So we are gardening for food for canning and the freezer not just summer food.

Humm, sounds like the plans Ray and I have gleaned from Utube and garden girl.

Debs....whose husband also thinks I know him so well that I can read his mind (gurrr)

GardenGirlTV-FAVORITE!!! I want her new video with Mel in it!!!!

Are those treated timbers you are using for your beds?

Unfortunately yes, those are landscape timbers. That's all we had, and all the keeper of the checkbook would pay for. He is old school, and in construction, and does not buy into the "leeching into the soil" bit. Most are 4" but he drug home some 3" and did not tell me until I had figured it out the hard way.

However, I have gently persuaded him to eventually start getting cinder blocks so we can go up with the boxes in a few years. As the timbers need to be replaced, or finances allow, the timbers will be tossed and cinder blocks put in their place.

FarmerValerie wrote:Unfortunately yes, those are landscape timbers. That's all we had, and all the keeper of the checkbook would pay for. He is old school, and in construction, and does not buy into the "leeching into the soil" bit. Most are 4" but he drug home some 3" and did not tell me until I had figured it out the hard way.

However, I have gently persuaded him to eventually start getting cinder blocks so we can go up with the boxes in a few years. As the timbers need to be replaced, or finances allow, the timbers will be tossed and cinder blocks put in their place.

It's looking very promising. Wish I had that much space to play with. I would have ducks as well as chickens. I reckon cinder blocks is the permanent solution, especially as I can save my back if I sit on them.

We are grandparents, have 2 kids grown, and the other two are 14 & 12, so it won't be long (we hope, pray, beg) before they are productive adults who contribute to their chosen community. Grandkids will come help-some, but it's just going to be grandma doing the bulk of the work, so as I have told everyone lately, if I have to be the one doing the bulk of the work, it needs to be done my way.

Update with pictures 5/17/11

Matilda & her 2 kids


Billy


Chicks a few weeks ago, we actually have 30.


Salad Bar


1 Three Sisters Box


Tater Box a few weeks ago


Tater Box now


My grandson's box, 3 different cherry tomatoes, chives, carrots, garlic, borrage, marigolds, onions, basil.


Another 3 Sisters box.


I think that's enough for now, I just wanted to finally update this.

Your garden rocks!

I collect rocks, too! DH groans when I ask him to "go for walk with me". He knows he'll end up carrying my rocks. One time I found a GORGEOUS pink granite rock/boulder on a walk. I was probably 2 miles out. I lugged that bugger home in my arms. It was all I could do to lift it, let alone carry it. But I love that rock!

Farmer Valerie

How funny, my family had a Matilda and Billy too.

Garden is looking good.