Deb’s climate victory garden has a unique structural design. From a distance you might think it’s a giant stringed instrument, but upon closer inspection you’ll see pole beans, sugar snap peas, zucchini and cucumber winding their way up the roped trellis. Tomatoes are not far behind. Companion edible plants like marigolds, nasturtiums, and herbs surround the veggies.
She created the 6 inch raised bed so as to not put too much strain on a nearby tree’s roots. The garden is located just outside of its drip line. A soaker hose follows the square foot garden plan. Ever the scientist, Deb experimented with both cardboard, paper bags, and a newspaper base to block weeds before adding soil…and that’s when the first set of challenges presented itself.
The garden’s development is 3 to 4 weeks behind due to significant soil issues. Soil quality has a huge impact on a plant’s ability to thrive and produce. Unfortunately organic soil purchased from the local hardware and garden center was subpar at best. Contaminated with bits of plastic and garbage, including ketchup packets, Deb had to hand sift the soil to get rid of the debris!
But, she discovered in the process that cardboard works best for blocking weeds and newspaper breaks down too quickly to be useful.
She fertilizes the garden with egg shells and coffee grounds, but it’s the addition of her secret ingredient that really takes it up a notch…caterpillar poop! Yep you read that right. Deb has fostered and released 18 monarch caterpillars and was left with a lot of poop. Waste not want not. Turns out, it makes for a great fertilizer.
Because it is located in the front yard, she was concerned that folks might not be receptive to the veggie garden but the exact opposite has happened. The neighbors love it!
Photo Gallery
All photos by Keith Dadey
