Qualification about planting using Ruth Stout's method.

Posted on 2006-Jun-27 at 09:13

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

I have said a lot about Ruth Stout and how much I like her books. I want to let you know that part of it is about style. I would like her books even if I didn't use her method. She is just a fun read.

Having said that, if you plant big seeds (peas and corn) under about an inch or so of mulch, they'll come right up very quickly (you put them right on the ground and keep the ground wet)  that is if the birds don't get them first-my chickens ate all of my corn seed (see bellow for a better method for us). For smaller seeds, you do have to clear away the mulch (but not until you are planting, or early in the day if you need to warm up the soil a bit in the sun).

 To tell you the truth, as far as planting goes. I have found that the method found here:

http://www.bountifulgardens.org/index.html

works better.

You start all your seeds in flats (except carrots) and set them out about a week or two (depending on the plant) after they sprout. That way I can leave the mulch on the ground (until I transplant) and not let the weed seeds have a go while I am trying to let my veggie seeds get going. By the time the weeds germinate, "my" plants have already had a head start. I was able to transplant even watermelon and pumpkins in this way. You also use an offset pattern (like when you are trying to get more cookies on a cookie sheet) so that as they grow the leaves will shade the ground and weeds more effectively and give you more plants for the space.

The part that I don't like so much about the method they use in Bountiful Gardens is the double digging. I have a bad back, so "year 'round mulch" really works best for me and it keeps the ground workable. The best example is the corn row. We just left the corn in, stomped it over, and covered it with hay last fall. Those rows are the best and easiest to work this year, because of the rotting root system and the mulch on top. I was kind of surprised.

Anyway, it's kind of a quirky method, but I like it.

Jenette.

Thanks..

Posted by pcsmom on 2006-Jun-27 at 12:26 - Link

for posting that website! I hadn't found that one yet. we started using mulch gardening last year, after reading one of Ruth's books. We love it! in fact, we were out this morning putting down newspapers and more hay. Thanks again for the website. I've bookmarked it. Now to find time to go read they whole thing!