This year is different! We have a lovely array of pepper and tomato plants (some with blossoms), potatoes, lettuce, beans, peas, and carrots. Our zucchini plant is thriving, with three tiny fruits already forming. We transplanted raspberries from Aaron's mom, and I think they'll live this time (we've tried before). The only thing that hasn't germinated as expected is the beets.
What has made the difference? We are not completely sure. The weather - a cooler, wetter spring - might have played a role this year. But there are two key improvements we've made.
1.We think we over-watered last year in the beginning, and we didn't have an easy way to control water distribution to account for different plants' needs. Aaron has installed a drip system to help with that this year.
2. I did a little research about rotation. Last year we loosely and haphazardly attempted to vary our planting pattern from the previous year, but we didn't give too much thought to the overall scheme. This year we planted in sections according to basic plant characteristics: legumes, roots, fruits, leaves. Next year we'll shift everything one section to the right to keep soil nutrients balanced.
It's safe to say that things are looking up this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment