Gardening Methods
Bart Renner North Carolina Cooperative
Extension Master GardenersJanuary 24th, 2017
Always start with good form!
• Plan For Health! DON’T HURT YOURSELF!!!!• Make a map and consider the following:• How annoying is it going to be to garden
here? • Walking distance, water, dogs, neighbors
• How much sunlight will it get (remember, Full sun means at least 6 hours of sun a day.)
• Slope? Soil type? Can you dig there???
Planning your garden
Gardening in Transylvania County:• Rainfall average: 73 inches• Average First frost: October 20th
• Average last frost: May 10th• Hardiness zone: 6B/7• Spring moves north at 15 miles per day• For every 1000 feet expect a temp lower by
3.5 degrees
Bart’s Map
Bart’s garden
Gardening on terraces
Start with a soil test!• Need to know what you’re working with.• Make sure to test soil and/or compost you’re
bringing into your garden.
Raised beds
Raised bedsAdvantages:
• Deep soil/ usually more fertile or easier to control.• Less weeds• Drains better• Warms up faster in the spring- (and can use as a cold frame). • Less compaction• Less erosion
Disadvantages• Large upfront costs• Soil tends to dry out faster
Raised bed with high tunnel protection
Planning your raised bedMake it easy on yourself!!!
• No more than 4’ wide• Consider walking traffic• Consider constructing with a material that give you a
place to sit. • Irrigation systems= expensive but awesome• Will you want to put a cold frame on top?
Preparing your bed (after you’ve done your soil test)Before you build your frame:1) Dig out the top 6” (if double digging).2) Loosen next layer with pitchfork2.5) Include mesh wire if you have problems with
moles or voles. 3) Fill with 1/3 organic material and 2/3 native
soil. 4) Mix in lime/ fertilizer according to your soil
test.
Raised beds
http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2606/build-your-own-raised-beds/page/all
Straw bale gardens
http://www.strawbalegardens.com/
Straw bale gardeningAdvantages• Usually weed and disease “free” medium• Biodegradable• Good for folks who don’t want to get their hands as dirty
gardening• Somewhat portable• Don’t have to bend over as far to get to veggiesDisadvantages• Need to fertilize heavily• Bales can fall apart• Need to water frequently
http://www.growandmake.com/straw_bale_garden
Container gardeningBest for folks in the city.
Need good recommendations for container requirements.
Things to consider for your container garden• Container size/ rooting depth• Growing media• Soil will dry faster in container• Drainage
Container gardening?
Container gardening?
Gardening on a slope• Very important to plant on flat land!!!
Creating flat land on the hill can be done!
• Use an “A-frame” to find slopes?
“Organic” gardening• NOT the same as “natural”• Many people using this word, may not
understand what it means. • organic farming responds to site-specific
farming and crop conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.
What tools does the Organic gardener use?
Fertilizer? Weed control?
Bugs?
Pathogens?
Manures, cover crops.
Hand pulling! Mulch. Cover crops. Tillage. Flame weedingRow covers. Intercropping. Biological controls. OMRI certified chemicals.Clean seed. Healthy plants. OMRI certified chemicals. Biodiversity.
What does your client’s Toolbox look like?
“Biointensive” Gardening• Maximize
production with double digging, compost incorporation and using close planting to shade out weeds and conserve water.
http://www.ifood.tv/blog/how-biointensive-agriculture-can-save-the-planet
“Biodynamic” Gardening
Biodynamic gardening
http://outfromundermyhat.blogspot.com/2010/11/visit-to-bio-dynamic-farm-in-north.html
Permaculture• Permaculture is a philosophy of ecological design which
attempts to develop sustainable human settlements and agricultural systems modeled from natural ecosystems
Permaculture designs
Permaculture designs
Local Resources to know:• Our Webpage• Our Facebook page• The NCDA’s page• Slideshare.net• Plant disease and insect clinic• NC Ag Chem manual • Veggie Handbook
The end
Questions?
•Please complete the evaluation
•Make sure you get your take home exam