From Skilled Hands

My Town Monday: Garden Henge

By fromskilledhands ( May 31, 2009 at 10:47 pm) · Filed under Gardens, My Town Monday, Mandala garden, My Town Monday, Permaculture

We’ve gardened for some time here in our valley, but this year we decided to expand our garden, and our minds. I’ve spent the last few years exploring permaculture. Dictionary.com defines it :

per-ma-cul-ture

[pur-muh-kuhl-cher] –noun

a system of cultivation intended to maintain permanent agriculture or horticulture by relying on renewable resources and a self-sustaining ecosystem.

We decided on a mandala shaped garden for the new bed for several reasons: there is certainly more square footage with this method but mainly it is beautiful. Nature does not grow things in straight rows. It is also a no-till method so the soil structure is maintained. We started by mowing the area and then put down a thick layer of newspapers to kill the sod. We layered different kinds or organic matter: leaves, straw, grass clippings, compost, and manure. Then we planted. The soil is amazingly friable! We never walk on it so it isn’t compacted. Weeds can be pulled out with ease. We planted a variety of vegetables an flowers to create a diverse environment. Our goal is to grow as much of out own food as possible, as well as food for my in-laws, and for a food pantry.

Here are some photos of the work in progress. I’ll keep you posted so you can see how it grows.

Garden Henge is planted.

diversity in the garden

Cloudy and Winston were happy to join us in this beautiful place.

Cloudy in the grass

Happy Winston.

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Travis Erwin is the main MTM Marauder. Take a walk on over to his place and you will find links to blogs all over this blue planet.

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14 comments »

rudee said,

May 31, 2009 @ 11:51 pm

You’re a very clever woman, Debra. I’ll enjoy seeing your progress. Is Winston your dog? He looks like he’s loving the sun.

gerry rosser said,

June 1, 2009 @ 9:30 am

Cool looking garden. Are we going to get progress photos?

Winston is one of 3 dogs, rudee. He loves being outside—as long as he is close to one of us. He was a rescued dog, and his difficult start in life is still a challenge for him. As my #2 daughter says, he not only has issues, but he has the whole subscription!

I do plan on posting Garden Henge updates, Gerry. We’ve had a big problem with slugs. I can post slugs at the beer bar if you’d like .

Clare2e said,

June 1, 2009 @ 10:22 am

Well, I can see why you were tired, but it is just beautiful, even before the sprouting. Keep us updated. I’m sure the veggies from such a thoughtful garden will be extra-delicious.

Cat B said,

June 1, 2009 @ 10:33 am

Fantastic, Debra! Makes me want to live in the country! At least we city slickers now have farmers’ markets now.

Jenn Jilks said,

June 1, 2009 @ 10:36 am

Great shots. I have given up adding to my garden. We’ve run out of room.

I love this: “As my #2 daughter says, he not only has issues, but he has the whole subscription!”

We have a rescue cat who cannot be picked up, and can only be petted by hubby. She’s been losing significant – weight, we don’t know why. She is our scaredy cat.

I love that: feeding tent caterpillars to the chickens. I am sure the chicken and ducks appreciate them.
Thanks for visiting. Keep those photos coming.

LarramieG said,

June 1, 2009 @ 11:57 am

I’m anxious to see this in full bloom.

Travis Erwin said,

June 1, 2009 @ 4:20 pm

The only problem with gardening I see is that is produces vegetables and not meat.

fromskilledhands said,

June 1, 2009 @ 4:56 pm

I love farmers’ markets, too, Cat. I go when I can—certainly until we have things to pick!

Thanks, Jenn. More photos as things grow!

I’m excited to see it in full bloom, too, Larramie. Stay tuned…

Ah, Travis, we do have slugs. Do they count as meat?

Eryl said,

June 1, 2009 @ 5:45 pm

I can’t wait to see this develop and to hear how you deal with the slugs. I can’t grow lettuce due to the slimy little blighters , they get them every year no matter what I try to do to protect them.

Scarlet said,

June 1, 2009 @ 6:01 pm

Hello there! My cat Daisy is the spit of your cat Cloudy!
Sx

Laura/centerdownhome said,

June 1, 2009 @ 6:10 pm

So pretty — the outdoors, the dog, the cat! I am all admiration as my house is where all the plants come to die. I look forward to seeing the garden’s progress!

Stephanie V said,

June 1, 2009 @ 10:26 pm

I came calling to thank you for your visit and find a coincidence. We’re just beginning to build up some raised beds using much the same method you are but with wooden forms. I love the mandala shape. Even though we’ve left it a bit late, there’s still a lot we can grow this summer. Zucchini, anyone?

Noell said,

January 26, 2010 @ 3:36 pm

Hi, I’m working to help develop a community garden for a center that works with children and am interested in the mandala design. Would you mind sharing the diameters of your inner and larger garden? Were you able to establish it this way in the Spring? This is our hope, but I’ve never planted straight into just established beds that have newspaper, etc.
Thanks in advance for your help!