Sisyphus Acres

more "how does you garden grow"

"How Does Your Garden Grow"

1.  Share your favorite fertilizer- product you buy, recipe you make, etc.   We use primarily compost, also some animal manure ~ hopefully this year some composted goat manure.

2.  What do you use to get rid of those pesky critters that want to munch your greenery?  I plant alot of "deterrants" like marigolds, nasturtiums, and fragrant herbs (to get rid of cabbage worms).  I do a lot of companion planting and crop rotation to minimize insect infestation.  We have used homemade garlic/pepper sprays ~ but for the most part we have been fortunate ~ except for a strong cabbage worm issue, we have been lucky bug-wise.

3.  Do you start seeds indoors to transplant later?  If so, do you use a lighting system, or just place them in a sunny windowsill?  I do start indoors because of the short growing season ~ I do not have a light system, so I do tend to start them a little later ~ when I can place them outside to sun in the morning.  I am planning to make a cold frame/mini greenhouse in the next few years.

4.  What do you use to start your seedlings in?  Peat pots, mini-greenhouse systems, recycled containers, etc.  anything that'll hold dirt...lol...actually we have bought flats that we re-use (after cleaning) each year ~ we then have also saved small pots and milkjugs which we used to transplant up before dropping in the garden.

5.  When does your garden season begin, or do you garden year 'round?  UGH!  Well, start planting transplant stuff in April-May ~ can't drop stuff in the ground until after June 8th ~ last frost date around here ~ gotta love the North Country

6.  Share a favorite tip, trick, idea, garden book, website, or something with us, please!  I am beginning to really check out forest gardening ~ very interesting concept and technique and looking for ways to incorporate it ~ also like companion planting ~ it is definitely worth the time to plan the garden out using beneficial planting arrangements.  But honestly I spend time every day in the garden, weeding watching, talking and praying over the garden.  I think careful watching is key to healthy gardens.