Post AWYLZzXfGHr5m2ZSNs by Famicoman@mastodon.sdf.org
 (DIR) More posts by Famicoman@mastodon.sdf.org
 (DIR) Post #AWYLZw8juV8RDrt0cK by Famicoman@mastodon.sdf.org
       2023-06-08T14:56:21Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Spent the last month finishing up clearing a gravel pit in the backyard left by the previous owners in hope of putting in some sort of garden. This involved months and months of digging and more recently I was able to fill in some soil in an attempt to make up for the lost mass. So here is a thread of me building things out. In case it isn't obvious, I have no idea what I'm doing. Questions and comments welcome!#gardening #plants #irrigation #raisedbeds #raisedbed #composting1/?
       
 (DIR) Post #AWYLZxLXQOy0xqskCm by Famicoman@mastodon.sdf.org
       2023-06-08T14:59:39Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I decided to go with raised garden beds as I had heard they can help with temperature regulation and drainage, which is great because there is a lot of clay in this region.These cheap beds are made of pine, so I finished them with raw linseed oil as an inexpensive waterproofer/protector.The ground was not level so I filled in some of the area with mulch as I was planning on putting a layer down anyway. I may have to replace this with stone/brick later to prevent sag and combat erosion.2/?
       
 (DIR) Post #AWYLZyHfwFTHsA5Ap6 by Famicoman@mastodon.sdf.org
       2023-06-08T15:06:31Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I'll be doing a total of three beds, but only built two for now. Each bed is lined with cardboard and then lined with a porous fabric to keep critters out and further protect the wood.I filled each bed with 5 bags of Kellogg organic raised bed/potting mix (2 cubic ft pink/yellow bag) and 3 bags of Black Kow organic composted manure (1 cubic ft yellow bag) to accommodate the 96" x 24" x 10" size. Then I could tuck the liner in for a cleaner look.3/?
       
 (DIR) Post #AWYLZzXfGHr5m2ZSNs by Famicoman@mastodon.sdf.org
       2023-06-08T15:10:08Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I was able to get some tomato and pepper plants and tried to plant them keeping around 12" spacing. They're young right now so I don't need supports yet, but that will be something to invest in.After planting, I covered with a layer of mulch to help keep in moisture (not pictured).I also plan on fencing each bed with wooden stakes and chicken wire to keep the groundhogs away, and adding some flowering plants to attract pollinators.4/?
       
 (DIR) Post #AWYLa0TRnS4mfFbbRw by Famicoman@mastodon.sdf.org
       2023-06-08T15:14:53Z
       
       1 likes, 0 repeats
       
       The next step was watering. I bought a two-way hose splitter and a sprinkler timer to control how much watering I want done and still allow me to keep my normal hose connected. Currently I'm considering 3 times a week for half an hour but this is easy to adjust.For the beds, I'm experimenting with a cheap #irrigation kit from Amazon that relies on a 1/2" feed line and 1/4" line running to the drippers/sprayers. The current configuration isn't perfect but it's a start.5/?
       
 (DIR) Post #AWYLa1T867PrkYSraq by Famicoman@mastodon.sdf.org
       2023-06-08T15:17:57Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       That's it for now. Next steps are:- Modify the irrigation to make it more efficient and stop leaks- Erect plant supports - Erect fencing- Add flowering plants to attract pollinators- Build and fill a third garden bed, what to grow? (Use for #composting or #mushrooms?)- Work on one of more #arduino-based solar "weather stations" to collect data on sunlight, rainfall, soil moisture, temperature, etc.6/?