Thursday Thirteen - In the Garden
This summer, I decided to return to my garden. At our old house, we had an extensive garden that went the way of the “no time” 100 hours a week work week. I thought this week, I’d share my venture into veggie gardening.
Thursday Thirteen #26 - In the Garden.
Our garden will be an organic, Biodynamic or French intensive garden. Here’s the whole story:
1. Well, Ok. What actually happened is that we decided to get rid of the guys who were mowing our lawn. (They did a horrible job as you can see in the photos.) Smiling, I convinced my biostatisitician husband that there way NO WAY he’d have time to mow. He smiled and said, “If you want to take care of the grass, that’s fine with me.”
Hee hee.
2. “So you won’t mind if create a veggie gardens this year?” I asked.
“Knock yourself out,” he said.
I hate grass. I just hate it. It sucks up water, creates a waste area of toxic chemicals and pollutants, causes cancer in dogs… bleck! I just hate it.
A fact that my husband of 11 years forgot.
Hee hee. 
3. I had a few old manuscript drafts laying around. In March, I laid the manuscripts over the grass and put some homemade compost on top.
Death to grass! 
Hee hee.
4. “I was thinking about maybe a rose bed in the back.”
“Just tell me where to dig,” he said.
This is the other side of the path. Rosie loves me so much that she killed this grass by herself.
Go Rosie Go!! 
5. Beautiful Rose garden, wouldn’t you say? Four roses - three Aromatherapy and one yellow nameless. Purple spring iris and daffodils/crocus along the edge.
Now wouldn’t you say that’s better than grass??
![](http://theopengrove.com/on-a-limb/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/doubledug.jpg "Double Digging from \")
6. A French Intensive garden starts with double digging the bed. Basically, you take off the first 12 inches (layer 1) and set it aside. Then you take off the next 12 inches of soil (layer 2). Under that you add compost (we used Clay buster). Then you put layer 1 back. Another bag of compost and layer 2 goes on top.
7. Truth is? My husband is never happier than when he has a shovel in his hand. He just loves digging in the dirt. That’s part of the reason this system works so well for us.
8. Of course, “we” had to deal with the tree stump.
9. How does it look? like? Funny you should ask!
We had to use “clay buster” compost because our compost is mostly clay. This bed was created in late April. It takes at least a month for the soil to return to bioactivity after grass
Ok, it doesn’t look like much - but you can plant at least 2x the amount of plants in this bed due to the soil prep.
We will have three French Intensive beds.
10. After the dirt work, French Intensive gardening is about companion planting. This means that everything that draws nitrogen is planted next to something that gives nitrogen. Therefore, we never deplete the soil, only improve it.
Huh?
Short version: we plant a lot of beans. Rosie loves beans.
Also, some plants enhance the growth of other plants. Some plants hurt the growth of other plants. For example, Lettuce, Radishes, and Carrots do really well together. Whereas, onions and garlic don’t do well next to peas and beans.
11. If you are really on it, you plant seeds two days before a new moon. Unfortunately, the growing season is sooo short here in Denver, that it’s almost impossible to do that. I’m not about to lose 2 weeks of growing while I wait for a new moon. Period. The idea is that the moons gravitational pull draws water to and from a plant.
Moving on….
12. Here’s our garden plan for this year:
13. A lot of this information came from a book called How to Grow More Vegetables
~~~~~~~
How about you? What are you growing this year?
Leave your plans in the comments and I’ll add them to this post.
- Sandy Carlson says she has “to try double digging (not double dipping…)!”
- Janet is growing: “tomatoes, jalapenos, strawberries, basil, rosemary, two kinds of mint, sage, cilantro (altho I’ve not had much luck with it), and a couple of other herbs, I haven’t decided what yet.”
- Laura “always plant(s) lots of potatoes, lettuce, spinach, green beans, peas, broccoli, peppers and tomatoes.”
- Susan Helen Gottfried “likes pretty plants.”
- Tommie says, “If we are around for more than one growing season, we try to do a mini pizza garden: tomatoes, peppers, onions, basil, etc. The kids love it!”
- Colleen “planted corn, swiss chard, dill, marigolds, and zinnia. No manuscripts though.”
- Forgetfulone is “in the midst of replanting shrubs in our front yard. We had red tips, but I would like to plant a variety of garden plants and some flowers, too, but I’m still looking. Lily of the Nile is one I like, philodendrons (not sure of spelling), a small palm, perhaps a juniper tree, pansies, and who knows what else.”
- Julia is “a flower gardener, especially since our yard has a lot of shade. I do grow herbs but mostly for aesthetic reasons. I garden with my mom (my husband and I live with her) and we compromise on our gardening styles. My mom likes to impose order on nature, and I like to have a garden that seems to erupt from nature. Between the two of us, we have a lovely yard.”
- Are we there yet mom is “planning to plant a Pizza Garden with them, with tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant. Next year it will be a Sunflower House with Morning Glories.”
- Toni has “2 types of potatos and 2 types of onions as well as radishes growing. In a month or so we will also have peppers, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatos, okra and probably one or two other surprises…”
- Hazelnut “keep(s) things simple by using containers, a variety of sedums (less watering), and native grasses. I love the look and sound of the grasses when a breeze is blowing.”
- CajunVegan says, “I was just talking to the hubs about starting an herb garden. Fresh mint … rosemary … cilantro …”
- Josie is “growing Clematis, Geraniums, Nasturtiums, Forget-me-nots, Petunias, Hollyhocks, Snapdragons, Roses and whatever else I feel like planting.”
- Michael C is trying to “grow his hair out.”
- Ornery’s Wife is growing “herbs, weeds and a lot of grass.”
- Shaunesay grew bunnies in her pots last year.
- Di grows complacent.
~~~~~~~
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Filed under: About Claudia, The nerdiverse, Thursday Thirteen
It’s terrible to admit it, but I’m not the world’s best gardener. But I try my best.
I just learned a lot! Thanks for this. We will have to try double digging (not double dipping…)!
I’d have already killed it!
Have fun. I miss gardening. I live in a condo.
SJR
The Pink Flamingo
Wow, that’s a lot of work but I bet it was satisfying!
Pot smoking neighbors? Bwahahahahaha. Okay, it wouldn’t be that much fun. What an awesome plan. Good luck.
I see you are also doing the Message in a Bottle. Mimi is awesome. Are you going to do her peace globes on June 6? Have a great TT.
Correction, June 4th!
I’ll be growing tomatoes, jalapenos, strawberries, basil, rosemary, two kinds of mint, sage, cilantro (altho I’ve not had much luck with it), and a couple of other herbs, I haven’t decided what yet. Any ideas? I think you’ll like the middle picture on my T13 this week
We always plant lots of potatoes, lettuce, spinach, green beans, peas, broccoli, peppers and tomatoes. It’s SO much work…but SO worth it!
Once things start growning your yard will look beautiful, much better then grass. Happy TT
I do all my gardening at Publix.
I don’t know Claudia, my hat’s off to ya….looks like a lot of work!
Death to grass? Ha! Pot smoking neighbors? Double ha! I thought this was about your veggie garden?
I’m now addicted to your TT’s Claudia. I’m going to seek counseling tomorrow.
It’s nowhere near gardening weather here yet…
You have done so much work. it is awe inspiring. I am sending you the 1/2 dead plants I have in my garage and still haven’t planted. I suck.
I love you!! Getting rid of the grass — that’s one of my goals in life. I’m doing it slowly. Too slowly for me, but too fast for the Tour Manager.
I like pretty plants. (no good spot for a veggie garden) Thus, my anti-grass plotting (no pun intended) continues…
This looks amazing! I can’t wait to see it progress.
If we are around for more than one growing season, we try to do a mini pizza garden: tomatoes, peppers, onions, basil, etc. The kids love it!
Is the queen eating through her sugar thingy?
Very impressive. I hope you share shome pics when things start happening. Have fun. Be careful not to overdo. Happy T13!
Anthony North - I bet you could do it given the space and time. In the Western US we kind of all garden.
Sandy Carlson - Hurray for double digging - it’s really and truly awesome.
SJReidhead - There are so many wonders of having a condo - someone takes care of the grass? That would do it for me!
Nicole Austin - What do you do with your old drafts? That’s really satisfying!
Comedy Plus - Yep, I’m on for the Peace day!
Laura - That’s a lot! Good for you!
Janet - Wow! That’s just great! We have strawberries planned in the beeyard.
Tammy - One tiny step at a time.
Slick - Erm at Pubics?
They sell veggies at… never mind.
Jill - Things to look forward to when you get your house! I’m delighted you are addicted - I feel a bit like a cig salesman…
Gdaybloke - Our planting date is May 15, so we still have 3 or 4 more weeks. The beds need some time to recover from their grass experience.
HRH - Bring them on! I take everyone’s cast offs - you’d be surprised…
Susan Helen Gottfried - Hurray for death to grass!
Tommie - A pizza garden sounds so fun. I bet you could get one going in reservoir pots. Let’s just get to Kentucky, then we’ll see. ‘k? I released the queen today - she seems happy!
Adelle Laudan - I will be sure to post some when something comes in….
I am not one to have a green thumb- but brought home a plant yesterday from work. Hope I can keep it alive for a few weeks…Happy TT!
Well, color me impressed! I am so clueless when it comes to gardening…Good for you:)
I have a brown thumb. All I can grow is crabgrass.
This week is my Thursday Thirteen #78. It is unthemed but I think it is still good. 13 things I might get with my incentive check Stop by if you get a chance.
Just today I planted corn, swiss chard, dill, marigolds, and zinnia. No manuscripts though.
Great pics. dont forget to show us the finished product:) Happy TT.
Bethany - Good luck to you and your new plant!
Nap Warden - Your creativity is in beautiful designs!
Dane Bramage - Oh dear, crabgrass?? lol!
Colleen - You’ll have to try the manuscript thing. It might not grow a best seller but it feels really good!
Lori - I will do it!
We are in the midst of replanting shrubs in our front yard. We had red tips, but I would like to plant a variety of garden plants and some flowers, too, but I’m still looking. Lily of the Nile is one I like, philodendrons (not sure of spelling), a small palm, perhaps a juniper tree, pansies, and who knows what else. We are still tilling the soil and adding humus as of now. Maybe we’ll get to planting this weekend.
Cool future to be garden!!!
I can’t believe it’s thursday and have almost missed T13 again. Crap!!!!
go go go garden so far I on;y have flowers and herbs
I’m not a good gardener (as in plants die when I touch them!) but my mother and father are! My mom grows roses and orchids and my father grows fruit trees.
Oh, don’t look at me like that! I swear I’m not adopted!
Whoa, that’s way too complicated for me. I can kill plastic plants! Sounds like you’re enjoying it though.
PS Yes, I’m very tired, and have the flu, and in the middle of a major life crisis. My list was a bit of a tipoff, wasn’t it LOL.
OG too many physical constraints to grow anything so I barter for my fresh vegetables for knowledge and supervision of car repairs. They do all the work and I do the one thing I am not totally useless at…talk.
Peace
mark
No plans on this end I’m afraid
Best wishes with your garden!
Great TT list, and have a good rest of the week
great pics. I love seing the process.
I got to start my garden soon. Its like a jungle lol!
I’ve bookmarked this page. When we get a house I want a place to garden.
Wow, I’m impressed with your garden plans. I can’t wait to see it become green and flower.
I just love your pictures with explanations! Pot smoking renters? You are just killing me :o)))))
Happy TT, Claudia!
I didn’t realize that you had a Masters Degree in Gardening! Very impressive design. I have built large scale computer systems with less design work.
i’m having fun working on my yard this year, especially with the absence of my ex yelling at me.
Forgetfulone - Gosh that’s a lot of work! How very fun!
Marcia - Flowers and herbs are very cool - good for you!
Grace - Maybe you just haven’t found your “thing” to grow.
Robin - I hope you feel better very very soon!
TWM - Good for you for finding a way to make it work for you! yippee!!
Sue - Well, maybe you’ll be inspired?
Tina - A jungle? How fun. We live in such a desert that it’s amazing if anything grows.
Journeywoman - Hurray for a new house!
Brenda ND - It seems like this winter has been waaay too long!
Ivanhoe - They don’t care at all about bees or gardens or anything but their pot. Good for us!
CEO - Ah shucks!
FuriousBall - Nothing like a little quiet to really enjoy the garden. This is certainly a golden lining!
i’m not growing anything, because my thumb is black and shriveled.
that’s quite a garden! i don’t have anything growing this year. ah well. i do love thursday 13 tho! i’m trying to figure out what i could possibly do 13 things about.
Ooh. I envy you your patch of ground for the garden! Happy growing.
I unfortunately live in an apartment and can’t have a garden, but I adore roses. I hope you take pictures of the bush when they come in.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who ignored the ‘prompt’ this morning. Looking at your photos reminds me of the year I ‘reclaimed’ my front yard. It became a much bigger job than I anticipated but I’m happy with the results … though I don’t grow veggies. I wish you much success with your vegetable garden.
Hugs and blessings,
Oh man, you have a green thumb that works! I can’t wait to read and see how all this hard work turns out for you
I love your notes on the photos (’pot smoking renters’). I’m a flower gardener, especially since our yard has a lot of shade. I do grow herbs but mostly for aesthetic reasons. I garden with my mom (my husband and I live with her) and we compromise on our gardening styles. My mom likes to impose order on nature, and I like to have a garden that seems to erupt from nature. Between the two of us, we have a lovely yard.
Enjoyed your list, mine is up at 13 Secret Muslim Tee-Shirt Slogans
She - Detox, baby, detox.
Jameil - Oh you could do a TT sooo easy!
Puss reboots - We are lucky to have such a big lot.
Elaina - I love roses too! Can you keep a mini? I have one in my bathroom.
Storyteller - Oh gosh. I never would have started TTs if I thought I had to do what they tell me. It’s a reason to stop - actually.
Tilly Greene - We’ll see. I think I have a high risk tolerance!
Julia - Good for you for making such an effort with your mother. I bet it’s hard and I bet she appreciates it.
Bernie - Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your very helpful post and links. I wrote a little about Gardening with Children on my TT post. I am planning to plant a Pizza Garden with them, with tomatoes, zucchini, and eggplant. Next year it will be a Sunflower House with Morning Glories.
Happy TT!
How cool that you enlisted Rosie to help! I’m afraid I’m not planting anything because I don’t have a yard. And my cats view indoor plants as a salad bar. (Thanks for visiting my TT)
AreWeThereYetMom- That’s very cool! I like those sunflower houses - and have never grown a Pizza garden.
The Gal Herself - Rosie is just helpful like that.
Right now we have 2 types of potatos and 2 types of onions as well as radishes growing.
In a month or so we will also have peppers, cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, tomatos, okra and probably one or two other surprises…
What a great idea and what a lot of work. I know it will be less work once all the prep is done. This will look really great and be very practical at the same time. As I live between 2 properties in the summer I keep things simple by using containers, a variety of sedums (less watering), and native grasses. I love the look and sound of the grasses when a breeze is blowing.
I was just talking to the hubs about starting an herb garden. Fresh mint … rosemary … cilantro …
I have simple pleasures posted this week.
Me thinks your gardening is an excellent plan…but far more work than I’m willing to do!!
I do put out a few large pots with a collection of plants. I’m way too erratic to be a good gardener…plants like someone steady and careful!!!
Found you surfing comments. Have a great day!!
Yay, Claudia!!!! I detest lawns. Useless things and they don’t even look nice. Gardens are much more lovely.
I am growing Clematis, Geraniums, Nasturtiums, Forget-me-nots, Petunias, Hollyhocks, Snapdragons, Roses and whatever else I feel like planting.
BUT NO LAWN!!! *heh*
Oooh, your garden is going to be fabulous!! I hope you’re ready…New moon on May 5!!
Wow! That’s a lot of work you did. Great job!!
Toni - Wow - that’s a garden! Good for you!
Hazelnut - Hurray for a container garden. We used reservoir pots for a long long time.
Cajun Vegan - Hurray for herbs. Where you live, I would grow pumpkins and tomatos as well!
PJ - Good for you for finding a way to make it work!
Josie - Wow! That’s a real flower garden. I hope you take some pictures this summer so we can see!
Claudia - I can’t plant on May 5 - it will be too cold. Sigh. See great system, wrong climate.
Melanie - It’s just a very small beginning.
I can’t wait to see the finished, flourishing garden.
I was going to grow my hair out this year, but I got impatient and cut it short again. Is that what you meant?
Oh, I feel the same way about grass - Death! Death! Let it all wither and DIE! Ahem… I’ll calm down now…
I sympathize about the short growing season. I used to live in Laramie, Wyoming and we had about 2-1/2 months of frost-free-ness - June 15 - Sept 1 - then it was back to winter. I think the whole time I lived there, I got 3 tomatoes that actually turned red before the plants got snowed on.
Pretty awesome looking garden! I am just growing herbs. And weeds. And grass. Lots of grass. My yard must be way bigger than yours, because if we dug it all up, it would take us years! (and a lot of time at the chiropractor’s office!) Great TT. It was fun reading and seeing all your plans.
TM
I hope to be able to garden someday, we’ve tried some containers on the back porch but the stuff just gets fried. Since we don’t have a back yard fence to keep neighbor kids out yet (end cap of a cul-de-sac, we see lots o traffic) I only have hen and chicks in a pot on the back porch and the landscaping stuff in front. Someday though! We did grow bunnies in one of our front porch flower pots though! Momma bunny apparently thought it was a good spot, and so that’s where the nest was, there were 6 of them! She tried again this year, as we noticed she had burrowed down in the pots again, but apparently ended up choosing another spot this time. Oh well, once was enough, it was cute the first time, but a little aggravating to not distrub them, being right next to the front door! LOL!
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I’m growing…um…complacent!
Michael C - Well, short hair is very popular?
Bethanie - Yes, Laramie is shorter than even Denver. Yikes.
Orneryswife - Hurray for herbs! That sounds wonderful.
Shaunesay - Hurray for bunnies! We used reservoir pots when our pots dried up too much - they work great.
Di - You are very funny!
ROCK IT, BABY!!! ROCK IT!!!
or,…ummm…PLANT IT, BABY!!! PLANT IT!!!
You’re such a badass, you know that right?
Kevin - Ah shucks….
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