Thanks for the encouragement Ericka!
We're very into the sunken bed idea and hope it works well! We're fortunate enough not too have rocky or caliche-plagued soil, so we went for it.
Anyway we've certainly sweated alot (and gotten in shape!) digging and preparing sunken beds this summer! So this morning was a BIG milestone because we actually planted something!!! After months of bed digging, compost making and soil-building, we decided to plant one of the new beds as a (late) monsoon garden of black-eyed peas, squash, etc. We just got fresh seeds from Native Seed Search in the mail yesterday, plus I had old, saved seeds that may or not germinate - couldn't resist getting something planted. We'll wait until early September to plant the rest of the garden with winter vegetables, plus fruit trees we've been keeping alive in containers all summer, & flowers and herbs!
Thank you so much! Our garden is not actually built yet. We are in the very early stages of planning. We're currently soliciting community support and asking our local community questions like where they would like the garden to be located. Feel free to check out our community forum next Monday (8/9 from 6-7:30pm at the Escalante Community Center in Tempe) to learn more :)
Thanks, Erica! Any thoughts about what I can grow now in pots? (Every August in VA is about a huge basil harvest and pesto making as well as tomatoes and peppers out of my ears--feel funny not growing anything!). Heather
Thanks for greeting us Erika. We are glad to find the Permiculture group here. We also just joined the Arizona Rare Fruit Growers. We are going forward on a vegetable and fruit garden after trying 8 years ago. The critters ate everything back then and this time we have made an enclosure to keep the critters out. Composting is in full production and we should be ready to plant soon.
"Matt beat me to it!
If you sign up for Watershed Management Group's Phoenix Action Bulletin you will get a weekly email on upcoming opportunities. The Co-op is where you can get some hands-on skills. It is free to join the Co-op and free to attend…"
"Fowl Pox most likely, there are both wet and dry versions. Google a bit to see which one you might have. Dry fowl pox it seems to run it's course and clear up on its own. Spread by mosquitos, pretty common."
"The best way to garden here is directly in the ground, not raised beds, unless you are in a really rocky area up on the mountain. Sunken beds hold moisture better in our climate, and all that is really needed is adding organic matter, 50% compost to…"
"Sorry for your loss. This time of year is so rough for hens and they are pretty fragile birds. Especially older hens. We use large terra-cotta saucers (like the ones you use under huge pots) raised up a bit on cinder blocks. We change out the water…"
"Scottsdale Community Garden Club http://www.scottsdalecommunitygarden.com
There is another one in S. Scottsdale that just opened up at a church off of Hayden Rd. near Oak too.
The CommunityGarden.org site is not very up to date, BTW.
Jennifer's…"
"This looks like a great large scale project. Take lots of photos before, and I know personally I would love to see what the site looks like in a year, 2 years, 3 years etc.
Very cool that some of the heavy lifting was done by tractor…appropriate use…"
Comments
We're very into the sunken bed idea and hope it works well! We're fortunate enough not too have rocky or caliche-plagued soil, so we went for it.
Anyway we've certainly sweated alot (and gotten in shape!) digging and preparing sunken beds this summer! So this morning was a BIG milestone because we actually planted something!!! After months of bed digging, compost making and soil-building, we decided to plant one of the new beds as a (late) monsoon garden of black-eyed peas, squash, etc. We just got fresh seeds from Native Seed Search in the mail yesterday, plus I had old, saved seeds that may or not germinate - couldn't resist getting something planted. We'll wait until early September to plant the rest of the garden with winter vegetables, plus fruit trees we've been keeping alive in containers all summer, & flowers and herbs!
Farraday and Jeff
Thank you so much! Our garden is not actually built yet. We are in the very early stages of planning. We're currently soliciting community support and asking our local community questions like where they would like the garden to be located. Feel free to check out our community forum next Monday (8/9 from 6-7:30pm at the Escalante Community Center in Tempe) to learn more :)
Enjoy this beautiful day!
-Alyssa
I look forward to more interaction with the group. Thanks for the welcome.
Amisa