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