Healthy soil and sustainable growing

["E. E. Mitchamore Jr" <emitch@att.net>]

Accidentally sent this reply to Paul.

 

E. E. "Mitch" Mitchamore
www.hillcountrynatives.biz

 

----- Original Message -----

From: TradingPostPaul

To: emitch@att.net

Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 4:54 PM

Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] succession planting - advice and benefits!

Send it to the list!!

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 4/20/2007 at 2:58 PM E. E. Mitchamore Jr wrote:

>I start and grow all my woody plants in Rootmaker containers for the
>beneficial effect on the root structure, but I will be starting all my
>annual and perennial plants, including vegetables, in standard 4" pots.
>They do a minor amount of root pruning, which is sufficient for those
>fibrous-rooted species.  They're available free, and reusable, so the
>price is right.  And I'm using a potting soil from a local supplier that
>is mostly recycled compost.  It's cheap, good, and easy.
>
>I'm beginning to study about seed saving - long way to go.
>
>My Grandpa's garden fork is sufficient for the one-time double-dig I do in
>year two of a new bed.
>
>I believe we need to be pretty clever about saving money and labor or
>costs will quickly get out of hand.
>
>E. E. "Mitch" Mitchamore
>www.hillcountrynatives.biz
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: TradingPostPaul
>  To: emitch@att.net ; livingontheland@lists.ibiblio.org
>  Sent: Friday, April 20, 2007 12:40 PM
>  Subject: Re: [Livingontheland] succession planting - advice and
benefits!
>
>
>
>  I'm afraid this is the "ramp-up". We've noticed the garden centers here
>  have almost doubled prices for a their starter vegetable plants and some
>  other items like garden tools. I suspect their suppliers have raised
>  wholesale prices. Energy costs that go into production and transport are
>  going up. Cost of doing business?
>
>  Seeing the prices this spring, starting our own seedlings would be a
>timely
>  subject here. I've had some trouble with direct seeding but no problems
>yet
>  with seeding 4" pots in the greenhouse. Wind and frosty nights have
>  conspired against my earliest direct seeding so transplants are coming
>  online just in time. Some places are selling soil block devices,
>something
>  recommended by Eliot Coleman. I see a nursery in Abq selling the broad
>fork
>  for $140. I won't be using one of those. Jeavons recommended the broad
>fork
>  or similar device for double digging and loosening the top foot, but
>  frankly the no-till option looks better and better.
>
>  paul tradingpost@lobo.net