Finish clearing the front of the property, that was the last thing on my garden to-do list for the year.
And yesterday, we made a pretty big dent in it.
We had a couple of small pine trees up front between the little white barn and the road that we could see would overtake the driveway in a few years, so instead of waiting until they became a hazard, we decided to do something about them now.
You know, before we’re too old and while we can still tackle them on our own. 😉
The HH pulled out his wood chipper and minced up all the branches so we could sprinkle them down on the newly expanded SUPER religious family sized garden plot.
Everytime he uses that thing though I can’t help but think of the movie Fargo and cringe.
Look at the size of that garden. It’s insane!
If we’re going to maximize all that growing space, I’m going to have to do some serious research this winter. I also need to figure out the best way to tackle the 5,200 square foot beast of a garden the HH has created with his tractor.
One thing I know for sure is that I’m glad I learned from The Duck Lady’s example, and have already bought a few rolls of landscape fabric for next year.
Because seriously, having to keep a garden that size weeded would be nuts. Not to mention huge time suck. No thanks. Planting, growing and preserving vegetables is hard enough without having to concentrate half my energy on pulling weeds.
Fall is in full swing here in Maine and I couldn’t be happier. Within a few weeks it will be too cold to work outside and I can finally enjoy the great indoors again.
All I want to do this winter is bake, hook rugs, stock the craft room with patterns, wool and kits and get my garden planned for next year’s growing season.
I figure if I work hard all winter on the arts and crafts stuff, planting time next spring will be a breeze.
Well, as much as a 5,200 square foot garden can be a breeze. 😉
Keep Calm and Carry On {and plan ahead!}.
Peace Out.
~Mavis
Lillian says
A portion of your newly enlarged garden you should designate for cut flowers.
Bringing in pollinators and joy
Amber says
I was thinking the same thing! Rows and rows of zinnias would be lovely! And add in some nasturtiums, then harvest the leaves and flowers to dehydrate and make nasturtium salt (so yummy!).
Nicole says
Mavis, I think your garden has expanded to now being a farm field.
Karen says
Now you might need permits, licenses, and proper zoning to start a farm business. Does the health dept come to check a food processing area, too? Good luck!
Kim says
That is one HUGE garden!!!!! I have an idea. You could ship free veggies to all of us readers.
No, scratch that idea. Then, you would be far too busy to entertain us daily readers.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I’ll be thinking………………
suzanne says
I’ve got more green tomatoes than red this year and came across your recipe in a canning group for green tomato curry. Guess I’ll be canning this weekend.
Kristina says
Weed fabric is a game changer! We just took out 4 acres of orchard last year, and when the orchard removal service was done chipping the trees, I kept back several trailers of it and use it to weigh down my weed fabric. Looks prettier (garden is in front of my house) and keeps the fabric from blowing around. Enjoy your cozy winter! I’d say you’d well earned it.
Margo says
Just returned from a trip to New Hampshire, Vermont, and upstate New York. Although I grew up in the North, I’ve been living in the San Diego area for close to 40 years now and this was the first time in many years I was able to see autumn in all her finery. You are indeed lucky to get to see all the fall colors every year. Good luck with that huge garden. Maybe some perennials down the middle and flowers for pollinators would be nice.
Carole says
You are going to need serious critter control too
Lainey says
When I was growing up, we had an acre sized garden. There were both parents and 5 kids from age 0-17. The garden was a work in progress from mid January to late October/ early November. The busiest time was late March to mid July then the Louisiana summer heat would give us a break But, with a garden that size we were able to put away in jars and two freezers enough food to feed this large family year-round. All types of beans to freeze or dry. Red, gold, & sweet potatoes. Pickles and relishes galore We traded eggs for fresh milk from a neighbor (I miss that) We made our own butter. The only thing we really had to buy was staples like salt flour sugar. 5200 square feet is a huge undertaking but so worth it! Food fresh food that you grow yourself taste so much better than store-bought. And there is the added blessing of being able to give to others or sell it at the farm stand Good luck & happy gardening!
Diane says
Forgive me if this is a dumb question but if the weed fabric keeps weed roots from growing down through it, does that mean it’s solid plastic and no water goes through it either? Would you need to run irrigation lines under the plastic? I have a ridiculous amount of mulched areas and the weeding is a nightmare so I would love this if it allows water to permeate!
Also, I’ve heard a lot of people complain that little hairline roots do manage to grow through some weed fabric from big box stores and then makes it very hard to yank them up because the roots are stuck in the fabric. Is this one somehow different/better than those weed fabrics so wouldn’t allow that? Thank you!!
Mavis Butterfield says
This is what the Duck Lady’s garden looked like in Mid- July. https://www.onehundreddollarsamonth.com/gardening-in-coastal-maine-planting-zone-6a-early-july-2/
The key is pulling up the fabric at the end of the growing season.
Catherine says
You could allow a section of the garden to lay fallow each year to give the land a break. Next year plant in that section and leave another section fallow.
Mel says
Don’t forget to take into account trellises and other ways to keep plants from sprawling. That 5200 square feet could go even further if you grow horizontal plants vertically. I’m sure you know that, but it’s just staggering to think about.
Maxine says
How about bird house gourds? You would need at least 100 days growing period and they seem to prefer warm weather but the vines are fun on a fence/trellis and once dry make birdhouses. Luffas take 120 days.
Or blueberry bushes down a side or two. Could you do cranberries? Fun to think of what to do with all that space! Please share your planning. I’m trying to figure out how to get the most of my much smaller space and planning timing easier said then done as I feel there’s a too hot period to work around in July/Aug. thanks!
Angelia says
Mavis, are you using your new plot for onions,garlic,and elephant garlic planting for the fall? It could be a great source of winter gardening..
Laurie Lasala-Tuttle says
Your winter plans sounds lovely!! I’m sorry if you’ve mentioned this already, but how many acres do you have?
Susie says
I think you’re definitely going to need a utility vehicle (like a John Deere Gator or similar) to haul things around there. When I saw you wheeling the wheelbarrow of chipped tree, I thought “Oh, Lordy! How many trips will she be making?!” If you don’t think you need it now, I’m sure the time will come that you will. Love the progress!
Jen says
I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s reminded of Fargo every time I see a wood chipper! LOL
I’m making your lentils with carrots and thyme for dinner tonight. Delish!
Marlene Wurtzbacher says
This is an interesting article on Aga Cookers in the Nov. issue of Homes & Antiques.