Illustrated Garden Plot Design

Hey all,

So I'm designing a plot for a raised bed with dimensions of 16'x2'x2' and have come up with this design (see attached). I'd love any input for suggestions. The plot is small, so I have to be very reasonable on how much I grow, while I still want to grow enough to make it worth while. I'd like to use permaculture as much as is feasible for the project. I look forward to hearing your comments.

Thanks and cheers,
Kirk

is this going to be in your front yard? It seems it will be a very attractive bed.
good luck
:0)

Thelma McGowan wrote:is this going to be in your front yard? It seems it will be a very attractive bed.
good luck
:0)

The top of the garden plot is against the back of the garage. Where it's at it will get full sun (I'm not quite sure from memory which direction it faces). Thank you

I also plan My garden with a spread sheet. I have it mapped every year and keep notes on success and failure.
we have it all planned ....now we just need a warm day to start gardening

Thelma McGowan wrote:I also plan My garden with a spread sheet. I have it mapped every year and keep notes on success and failure.
we have it all planned ....now we just need a warm day to start gardening

I've been journaling my progress as well. I've actually already started some of my seeds indoors in a propagation dome. I have 2 tomatoes, 1 kale, 1 jalapeño, and 1 sweet pepper started. The rest will get directly sown as indicated. Here's a picture of my setup:

I'm currently using one powerful 6500k flood cfl on a timer. If I need I can always add more lights. There is a temp/humidity gauge inside it and one temp gauge outside the dome. The seeds are in grodan cubes and on a bed of perlite.

Cheers,
Kirk

Whatever works for you, by all means, go with it!
I've done the graph paper, and the spreadsheets till I'm blue in the face, kept a log of what went in, where, when, how many, plus recorded all the details on the seed packet. I found the best use of those records was compost production. Shred them first.

Don't take this the wrong way-planning and record keeping has its place. I've tried out a wide variety of stuff under every condition and set up imaginable. For several years I kept meticulous records-I even weighed the beans, with and without the pod! Over time I learned what works, what does not. The records I keep now are limited to little stakes that tell me what seeds are in the flats. Once they show up I don't need the little stakes any more. What you are showing here is minute attention to fine detail. This is good. You'll develop a deep understanding of how it all comes together. In a few seasons you'll be well on your way to something completely different than what you are doing now. Hard to say what that is. Ten years ago I quit my job working for a painting outfit, went hungry for a few months. I found some radish seeds, planted them, ate some a month later. Tried some more plants, started making compost, got some chickens, built a greenhouse, and kept on going.

Have you ever read Jonathan Livingston Seagull?

Keep doing what your doing. You doing just fine.

Thank you for your advice, I appreciate it

I don't know if I'll go to the extreme of weighing the peas with and without the pod, but since a lot of what I'm doing is for a larger project (Project Walden) I'll want to record a good amount of what I do. I'd be curious to see more of what you've done, as far as how your "setup" goes and how you've done what you've done.

I haven't read Jonathan Livingston Seagull but I'll check it out.

Thanks again for your encouragement and advice, they are very much appreciated.

Cheers,
Kirk

I haven't read Jonathan Livingston Seagull but I'll check it out.

Cheers,
Kirk

If you read JLS then don't fail to read the sequel ILLUSIONS. It leaves your jaw drop when you get to the last chapter. Well worth the read. I couldn't put it down till I turned the last page. Love your lay out should look really attractive and delicious/\
Tom

So I've just updated my online journal for my project, and I've included pictures of the Hugelkulture dig I did to the raised bed, as well as seedling pictures. Come check it out and tell me what you think

Journal Article

-Kirk

That rich dark soil is what you are starting with?!
You can grow anything.

A little garden update:

I transplanted the seedlings today into cowpots, they're growing up so fast!