I have been working on the design of my potager for a few weeks. It is has been a challenge as I am working with a relatively small space (approximately 20'X10' ). I want to use the space effectively to maximize production, but I also want to create an easily managable space as well as a beatiful garden. I think I have come up with a good design and I want to share it here.
The logistics of the garden are my next challenge. I will be working with four raised beds. I need to decide on what materials they will be made from as well as what the growing medium will be prepared. I have been told that cedar is the best natural wood to use to construct the beds, but I also have been reading about stone and composite materials that may be suitable alternatives. The growing medium and its preparation is also a topic for debate. What should it be made of and how should it be prepared. Through my research, I have found a few sources that suggest a layered approach to the growing medium....any suggestions would be very helpful.
I also have an idea of what I would like to plant. My next step is to determine the varieties that are best suited to my zone as well as what I would like to grow and use. I have ordered a few garden catalogues as well as visited a number of informative web sites and I am narrowing my choices as I post here. I hope that my next blog entry will have all the details. If anyone has suggestions on varieties that are easier to grow and will produce good results, please let me know.
Since this garden layout is static, I have not figured out how to re-use the soil once I have harvested a crop. The key concept of a potager is year round (or as close as possible) use of the land. I have a bit more research to do on this topic...I think the next couple of cold winter months here in Ohio will give me a good opportunity to read up on the recycling of garden space...more on that topic in the next post as well.
I want to wish everyone an abundant new year!
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