It’s been a busy year for Sustainable Shenandoah. group members participated in establishing a sustainable garden on land a local landowner generously allowed the group to farm. The first year was a great success and learning experience. Producing lots of goodies for group members and to sell at the local farmers market. The watermelons were amazingly delicious, as was everything else! Here’s a summary of how it was done:
Our Garden in Stanley – Spring/Summer garden 2009
The Members of Sustainable Shenandoah decided to show by example (and learn by doing!) the results of striving for sustainability through growing a garden together.
Our garden: Was ‘green manured’ through the turning in of cover crop
Organic horse manure worked in Fertile flood plain soil placed around seeds and seedlings for the best start in the clay we had to work with
Non chemically treated straw used for mulch
Burlap sacks for pathways
Labor donated in exchange for food every week
Veggies and value added organic products sold weekly at the Page County Farmer’s Market
Heirloom non-hybrid seeds used in order to preserve genetic purity and save for the following year
Biodynamic preps used throughout the year following Rudolph Steiner’s Biodynamic Agriculture principles
NO chemicals, pesticides, herbicides. NO chemical fertilizers or soil enhancements. BEYOND ORGANIC!!
The Garden in Stanley – FALL GARDEN 2009
In addition, the group planted a fabulous fall garden, with brussel sprouts, 3 varieties of cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli starting on 8/19 and 9/4/2009, Totaling 597 plants. Then on September 19th collard greens and 2 varieties of kale were planted, bringing the total up to 885 Plants!
Cover crops were planted beginning of October to enrich the soil for next year. Forage radishes with deep roots were planted to alleviate soil compaction as well as and a large broadcasting of cereal rye seed. The book “Managing Cover crops Profitably” describes Cereal Rye as “Inexpensive and easy to establish and it out-performs all other cover crops on infertile and acidic soil.” The purpose of any cover crop is to reduce erosion, provide organic matter, act as a weed suppressor and take up nutrients that may otherwise be leached from the soil. Those nutrients then become available for next years crops.
TOTALLY sustainable! Check out the photos of the fall garden!
Our Garden in Stanley – Spring/Summer garden 2009
The Members of Sustainable Shenandoah decided to show by example (and learn by doing!) the results of striving for sustainability through growing a garden together.
Our garden: Was ‘green manured’ through the turning in of cover crop
Organic horse manure worked in Fertile flood plain soil placed around seeds and seedlings for the best start in the clay we had to work with
Non chemically treated straw used for mulch
Burlap sacks for pathways
Labor donated in exchange for food every week
Veggies and value added organic products sold weekly at the Page County Farmer’s Market
Heirloom non-hybrid seeds used in order to preserve genetic purity and save for the following year
Biodynamic preps used throughout the year following Rudolph Steiner’s Biodynamic Agriculture principles
NO chemicals, pesticides, herbicides. NO chemical fertilizers or soil enhancements. BEYOND ORGANIC!!
The Garden in Stanley – FALL GARDEN 2009
In addition, the group planted a fabulous fall garden, with brussel sprouts, 3 varieties of cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli starting on 8/19 and 9/4/2009, Totaling 597 plants. Then on September 19th collard greens and 2 varieties of kale were planted, bringing the total up to 885 Plants!
Cover crops were planted beginning of October to enrich the soil for next year. Forage radishes with deep roots were planted to alleviate soil compaction as well as and a large broadcasting of cereal rye seed. The book “Managing Cover crops Profitably” describes Cereal Rye as “Inexpensive and easy to establish and it out-performs all other cover crops on infertile and acidic soil.” The purpose of any cover crop is to reduce erosion, provide organic matter, act as a weed suppressor and take up nutrients that may otherwise be leached from the soil. Those nutrients then become available for next years crops.
TOTALLY sustainable! Check out the photos of the fall garden!
1 comment:
Sustainability includes the development of relationships and community through doing and learning together, and I think that's where the most fun was had! That, as well as our scrumptious potlucks with fabulous food from our garden! And learning to can, our pickle party, yurt parties...what a time, and how much we grew through this garden experience!
I would like to see us focus on how to reduce the need for organically approved sprays. Can we make them? As well as how to continue reducing the need for anything not found locally. At the top of the list is: the use of the tractor.
Thank you for this post, Chris! And the BEAUTIFUL pictures! Susan
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