topsoil dries out by evening from morning water, but straw underneath absorbs the water so am using less water overall, getting deeper roots, and seeing a lot less snails/slugs. No weeds to speak of except for the straw seedheads sprouting but easy enough to grab the area of straw, pull up the roots of the sprouted seedhead and then drop all of it back in place. We used left-over straw to mulch around the fruit trees' drip line.
This late in spring, a lot of places are putting their seeds on sale so we grab new varieties with an eye on heirlooms. We keep our seeds in plastic bags in a Tupperware container, sorted by planting time, in the back of the fridge, lower shelf. It's considered part of our bug-out gear. We also keep a garden diary/diagram and calendar of when we planted and where, and expected thin-out date, fruiting date and harvest date. In the diary we write down pest issues, if we had to replant because of seed failure or bug banquets, and what bugs and diseases (and their cures) we dealt with. We also write down what we wouldn't grow again, and why, as well as how many estimated pounds (or salads)yield per x-foot row was harvested. One section of the dairy is set aside for simple recipes - how to make plant fertilizer, or use soap to kill bugs, how to dry beans, how to cook beets or collards or green tomatoes, or how to make catsup or zucchini bread, just in case the cook doesn't survive the diary.
still left to experiment with is camouflaging the garden in event economy goes completely south and we shelter in place for a while before bugging out so we are also collecting flower/ornamentals seeds. Having some ornamental bushes, etc, in pots that may help disguise some plantings - the visibility/recognizability of corn, as opposed to say, swiss chard or potatoes or beets - or what nutrients one plant has than can be obtained from other less recognizable or more compact or faster growing plants. IMO Camouflage planting will useful both for sheltering in place, and for growing at the fallback property if it comes to that
Happy gardening!
I had a heck of a time trying to figure that one out. Now that the light bulb clicked on I get it and it's the best description I've seen on making a raised bed garden. Camouflaging the garden is something I never thought of doing. Dang, this is one of the most informative posts I've seen on gardening. Thanks for sharing!
Anything that holds in water also holds in fungus.
Your garden sounds fantastic - can I move in? :) I grow herbs and a couple tomato plants every year and always want to do more but never take the plunge. I actually just ordered a square foot gardening book because that raised style sounds very appealing, as does yours.
Question, with regard to your refrigerated seeds - how long do seeds keep and remain able to sprout?
Instead of ornamental, plant edible flowers and herbs. Most people don't know which flowers are edible and you've got yourself another food source. Many herbs look like weeds so that's another two for one.