then ( 15 years ago )....now ( today )

Isnt it interesting how things change in one's  area.
This garden has the most change in our lot.

Before any raised beds were made, I tilled, seeded, then watched the weeds grow

Then the raised beds were working for quite a while, much more enjoyable to work in.


Then came SFG... I just built on top of existing beds

Then due to root infestation I elevated 4 beds..1 is going to be completely changed over when the rhubarb is split...closest to garage...

Also added to the outside area to even out the sloping walk in front of the garden, so much nicer to walk on now..and noooooooo more mud.

Jimmy - VERY impressive - what difference a few years make - congrats!!

15 years ago I was about 10 years away from starting my first sf garden.  There were no veggies but I had flower gardens around the house, an aerated whiskey barrel with water plants, and a mini goldfish pond with plants in and around it.  Now the bulk of my energy is veggie gardening from seed starting and composting to canning and everything in between. Oh and 15 yrs ago I felt about 30 years younger too.
 

Judy, I have your seeds tucked away in a drawer, can't wait to use them. thanks again

llama momma wrote:15 years ago I was about 10 years away from starting my first sf garden.  There were no veggies but I had flower gardens around the house, an aerated whiskey barrel with water plants, and a mini goldfish pond with plants in and around it.  Now the bulk of my energy is veggie gardening from seed starting and composting to canning and everything in between. Oh and 15 yrs ago I felt about 30 years younger too.
 

+1

15 years ago I was 12 years away. I had extensive landscaping grounds I maintained with lots of flowers in pots but had never grown food. And Miracle Grow was my go to fertilizer :-(

Jimmy, That's quite a transformation. And to think, most gardeners are still doing #1.

jmmi cee, that is a wonderful transformation.

LLM, I am so sorry that you feel 15 years older or is it forty-five years older than you were thirty years ago?

audrey.jeanne, I am happy that you are a convert from Miracle Gro. Like most of us it is only due to lack of knowledge. (Sounds much better than ignorance, don't you think?)

Fifteen years ago I lived in a rather depressed and unhappy state. My DH had died a few years previously, I was struggling to keep the roof over my head, it was leaking,
the garden was devoid of flowers as they had mostly died due to neglect, I had not
looked after the ones I had, the grass was suffering due to my scalping practices (just like the neighbours do now), by the end of summer the greenery had taken over like a jungle and I looked forward to the winter snow to cover everything up so that I could start again in the spring with everything under control. 
Things have improved since.

Kelejan wrote:jmmi cee, that is a wonderful transformation.

LLM, I am so sorry that you feel 15 years older or is it forty-five years older than you were thirty years ago?

audrey.jeanne, I am happy that you are a convert from Miracle Gro. Like most of us it is only due to lack of knowledge. (Sounds much better than ignorance, don't you think?)

Fifteen years ago I lived in a rather depressed and unhappy state. My DH had died a few years previously, I was struggling to keep the roof over my head, it was leaking,
the garden was devoid of flowers as they had mostly died due to neglect, I had not
looked after the ones I had, the grass was suffering due to my scalping practices (just like the neighbours do now), by the end of summer the greenery had taken over like a jungle and I looked forward to the winter snow to cover everything up so that I could start again in the spring with everything under control. 
Things have improved since.

Appreciate your thoughts Kelejan. I deal with arthritis issues. In refusing meds for it I keep telling myself I'm building a higher tolerance to pain instead. It comes with a price of battling my will against increasing pain. I assure myself it has to be healthier than drugs with side affects. Lots of humor helps too.
I read your challenges too. Whew, we all have a story! I hope most of us can claim that a successful garden is mighty good for the heart, mind, body, and soul.

Audrey.jeanne, I too am a miracle grow convert. My flower beds now only receive compost, extra leaves, and worm castings. No more guilt!

Ah, 15 years ago, I was still teaching and had a backyard of just grass with flowers around the edges, easier to mow.

In 2002, I retired to care for my ailing husband.  By 2006, I needed something else to do .  Read Mel's book and tried to dig in the "wonderful" VA red clay/shale to make a garden.  Giving up on the native soil(?), I built 6 4'x8' raised beds and bought a mixture of mulch/sand/compost from a local nursery to fill the beds. 

Several years of raising relatively easy crops followed with some successes and some failures.  Miracle Grow was my friend as well.

In 2012, I joined SFG forum and began to learn a LOT!! about the proper way to garden.

In 2013, after 12 years of an increasing ill husband and burned out from caregiving - my gardens were a mess - 3 had been turned into flower beds and even tree seedlings had started (squirrels).

Hubby died in 2013 and things began to change (for the better?), the years of caregiving left me with nothing to care for - except the garden and spring 2014 saw my increasing use of MM (commercial - not great) and more natural compost.

Things that hadn't been grown before (carrots, beets, peas) were tried. Container gardening was tried, etc.etc.

I realize that photos are required but....  Maybe later today???

The first and oldest bed is going into its 5th year made of untreated cheap 2 by 8 wood by 1 foot deep.  Every winter it is protected with a tarp and I'd say its in excellent condition. Each corner has an inside metal bracket 4 inches tall.  Looking back I would have guessed by now it would fall apart.  But so far so good.

OOPS can this post be moved to
then(15 years ago)...now (today)

llama momma wrote:

OOPS  can this post be moved to
then(15 years ago)...now (today)

done.

Thank you. I hit new topic by mistake.

LLmama Momma
My very first raised bed I tossed in a plain white pine board, no paint, no preservative.
Exposed to soil inside.
It lasted 10 years before I had to replace it. I believe it lasted long because one side was open to the air.
I never covered it either.   I wouldn't do that now, if I live another 10 years I know I wont be in the replacing mode.

Interesting Jimmy it lasted so long. I'm encouraged. And I hope you're here another 10 years!

llama momma wrote:Interesting Jimmy it lasted so long.  I'm encouraged. And I hope you're here another 10 years!

+ 1111111