Linear SFG -- Old School

countrynaturals 3/11/2020, 2:03 pm

I found a huge untapped resource on our property -- the pool area -- already surrounded by a sturdy 6' fence. The deer could get in if they really wanted to, but there's nothing back there for them, and there's much easier pickins' in other locations, so this will be my new linear SFG.

The first section will be artichokes -- planting the seeds, today. They take about 3 squares each, and this patch is roughly 18', so I'll plan on 6 artichoke plants in this section. This section would be easy fo the deer to access, so I'm planting something they don't like, here.

countrynaturals 3/11/2020, 2:27 pm

I plan on using all the rest of the waist-high wall area for sun-loving vine crops. This area gets no relief from our brutal summer sun. I'll be planting gourds, melons, pumpkins, and squash, experimenting with different varieties to see what works.

I also have no idea about the quality of the soil. I know this was all landscaped years ago, and they spared no expense, so, hopefully, the soil will be free of rocks, but that's the best I can hope for.

Section 2 is about 15'. (Artichoke bed to the left, next to the fence.)

Section 3, 8'.

Section 4, 16' approximate.

Section 5, about 30'. In the background, you can see the last 2 sections -- under the deck, and under the balcony -- details later.

countrynaturals 3/11/2020, 2:58 pm

Here is the under-deck area. The plan right now is to use it for the big tomatoes (Brandywine, etc) that will be planted in grow-bags and come inside for the summer. The deck is 24'.

Finally, here is the under-balcony area. It's about 12'. I will be using this space for hot peppers in grow bags, placed where the balcony drip system will leak onto them.

That's all, folks. geek

**Scorpio Rising** 3/11/2020, 5:30 pm

Curious; are you going to make 1Ft boxes the length of the various fences?

countrynaturals 3/11/2020, 6:06 pm

Scorpio Rising wrote:Curious; are you going to make 1Ft boxes the length of the various fences?

Yup, but I can go back another foot if I want to. Cool

My #1 priority is to stay under the deer radar. "Move along. These are not the plants you're looking for." Twisted Evil

countrynaturals 3/22/2020, 9:17 am

countrynaturals wrote:I found a huge untapped resource on our property -- the pool area -- already surrounded by a sturdy 6' fence. The deer could get in if they really wanted to, but there's nothing back there for them, and there's much easier pickins' in other locations, so this will be my new linear SFG.

The first section will be artichokes -- planting the seeds, today. They take about 3 squares each, and this patch is roughly 18', so I'll plan on 6 artichoke plants in this section. This section would be easy fo the deer to access, so I'm planting something they don't like, here.

Didn't get the seeds planted until the 20th. Planted 10 in case they don't all make it. This year, they'll just be ornamentals. I will probably have to "hire help" (kids) to get this done. Rolling Eyes

countrynaturals 3/22/2020, 9:22 am

countrynaturals wrote:
Scorpio Rising wrote:Curious; are you going to make 1Ft boxes the length of the various fences?
Yup, but I can go back another foot if I want to. My #1 priority is to stay under the deer radar. "Move along. These are not the plants you're looking for."

I may have answered this wrong. I'm not building up any boxes, just planting in-ground, using the walls for easy, waist-high access.

**Kelejan** 3/22/2020, 1:51 pm

So you stand in front of the walls and do your work at the of the top of the wall?
Like a continuous raised bed?

countrynaturals 3/22/2020, 3:29 pm

Kelejan wrote:So you stand in front of the walls and do your work at the of the top of the wall?
Like a continuous raised bed?

Yup! I can't wait to get started! happy turtle

**Kelejan** 3/22/2020, 3:40 pm

countrynaturals wrote:
Kelejan wrote:So you stand in front of the walls and do your work at the of the top of the wall?
Like a continuous raised bed?
Yup! I can't wait to get started!

Great idea.
Down the road from me lived an elderly couple who recently had to vacate their home as one of them died. Ever since I have lived in this road, 1996, they had a swimming pool in their front yard and after several years went by they finally drained it and covered it and no one ever used it. I had often though that as the husband loved his gardening. I suggested to him making a sunken garden but he said no, the grandchildren may want to use it. It was the usual rectangle and I am not sure whether it was concrete or other lining.

Yours seems to be concrete, so when you finish your perimeter beds that should make a lovely setting for a sunken patio and you would be surrounded by beautiful plants.

countrynaturals 3/22/2020, 6:28 pm

Kelejan wrote: Yours seems to be concrete, so when you finish your perimeter beds that should make a lovely setting for a sunken patio and you would be surrounded by beautiful plants.

I thought the same thing, so I'm planting artichokes and tomatillos, since the plants are so pretty. I'm also putting my hot peppers back there, for the same reason. Unfortunately, I have no other place for my vine crops, and I know they can be ugly, but they should be worth it.

countrynaturals 4/11/2020, 7:47 pm

Started my Linear SFG today. I was really worried about the quality of the soil. Our natural dirt is more like cement, but the original owners of this property spared no expense on landscaping, so when I held my breath and pulled the first weed, it came out like soft butter. YEE-HAH! happy turtle

I will be planting one square at a time, and all the weeds will go back to the Salad Bar as mulch, to build up the 2 sides that are still down well over a foot.

Here are my first 2 melon plants -- with a little vetch in front of it. The artichokes will go to the left of this shot, and there's a water faucet right underneath.

**Kelejan** 4/12/2020, 12:42 am

A lovely start CN. In my garden vetch grows like a weed. When I used to walk my dog Jazz, we would walk a path alongside the railway and when the vetch was out there was a purple carpet and it was so beautiful.

OhioGardener 4/12/2020, 8:28 am

Looking good, CN! I use Hairy Vetch in the winter cover crops, but I have to make sure to kill it out in early spring. If it is left long enough to bloom & seed, it quickly becomes invasive.

countrynaturals 4/12/2020, 9:44 am

I love vetch -- and it makes great honey. Linear SFG -- Old School 2636062189

countrynaturals 4/12/2020, 5:11 pm

Okay, here is my next planting -- 4 tromboncino squash (Zucchino Rampicante). Only 3 in the pic, but you get the idea.

I'm pulling bucketfuls of weeds to build up the Salad Bar, so this is a real win/win! happy turtle

countrynaturals 4/13/2020, 8:08 pm

Xylangouro Cucumber Melon and Early Fortune Cucumber.

**Kelejan** 4/14/2020, 1:09 am

I am looking forward to watching it grow and make it all a green jungle with flowers etc. then see it develop year by year.

countrynaturals 4/14/2020, 9:19 am

Kelejan wrote:I am looking forward to watching it grow and make it all a green jungle with flowers etc. then see it develop year by year.

Me too!

countrynaturals 4/14/2020, 7:33 pm

Today, I laid out the drip system and planted 4 Buttercup Squash plants. At this stage pretty much everything looks the same. Rolling Eyes

**Kelejan** 4/14/2020, 7:56 pm

Keep sending the pictures, CN. I love seeing things grow, before and after etc.

countrynaturals 4/15/2020, 1:43 pm

Today I planted:

Pattypan Squash

Early Straight Squash

Chartenais Melon

Crimson Watermelon

**Kelejan** 4/15/2020, 2:03 pm

Keep going, Country Naturals, I am cheering you on. Very Happy

countrynaturals 4/15/2020, 5:23 pm

Kelejan wrote:Keep going, Country Naturals, I am cheering you on.

Thanks, Kel -- I needed that! Linear SFG -- Old School 43549

This morning I started thinking about mulch. It's scary how fast these little guys dry out. Then I remembered the huge pile of 3-year-old wood chips in the back driveway at the old house. It took 2 trips with my Workx wheelbarrow, but I got it done. sawing logs

**Kelejan** 4/15/2020, 6:04 pm

Glad you remembered the mulch, CN. Wood chips will keep the moisture in and when it rains it will store water and also save washing your plants away. I swear by it since I had my first wood chips when I had eight old and very large birch trees cut down as they were getting dangerous.

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