Double digging.

Posted on 2006-May-19 at 02:47

"Never doubt in the dark what God has shown you in the light". -Michelle Terrill

So, does anybody here double dig their garden beds? I was trying it out (as per the Bountiful Garden thing). I think I am going to side with Ruth Stout on that one. The beds that have been under a thick mulch of hay are so easy to plant when I pull back the hay this Spring...I don't mind hard work, but I do mind meaningless, hard work. Just say no to double digging...unless you have to double dig.

I do like the idea of starting the seeds in flats close together and then transplanting them to the beds when they get their start; that just gives them a head start on the weed seeds that also like the nice soft beds. I am just keeping the mulch cover on until I transplant into the beds. When I transplant, I will transplant in a hexagonal pattern to make their leaves touch (to shade the soil and crowd out the weeds) when they are full grown. You know, I am pretty sure that this is the spacing the farmers in Taiwan used when I was growing up, because the finished planting looks just like I remember their greens etc. looking in their beds. I understand that the book borrowed this idea from China, so it makes sense.

Go plants Go!!

Jenette.

Hi! I want to hear about

Posted by VTLinda on 2006-May-24 at 11:36 - Link

growing up in Taiwan ... or did I misread it?
Would love to see pictures of that hexagonal pattern you use for planting. Enjoyed my visit to your blog today!! :D
Blessings. ~Linda