We planted a spring garden about 2 weeks ago and it is sprouting nicely. Last year at this time is was an unfertile patch of lily of the valley. Early last fall we got all of the junk off of the yard, dug out all of the plants growing there (got rid of all of the lily of the valley), and spent the fall and winter piling coffee grounds and spent brewing grains. Early in the spring we reworked up the ground and planted cold hardy greens. Most of the organic mater that we mixed in isn’t decomposed yet, but we are hoping that worms and fungus will get the soil very rich by next growing season. As I said most of the greens have sprouted, and are growing nicely. Currently we are planing on planted some more hop vines and herbs in the yard as well.
There are many other side projects in the garden as well. We are creating a new garden from scratch by gathering organic matter scraps from work (coffee grounds and veg. cleanings), cardboard and paper, and leaves and yard scraps from the neighborhood. For almost a month now we have been gathering material for this and the pile is quite large already. Our hope is that with a lot of love over the course of the sumer that is will decay nicely and become a new piece of garden next year. Sometime soon we are going to seed a edible garden mushroom in the garden beds as well. It will decompose the organic mater in the garden faster and we will also be able to pick and eat any caps that pop up. It sounds like you just grow them on some brown rice cakes bury them in the garden where they will fruit. Have them fruit right underneath your veggies! We have three hop vines that we just ordered that we have to find spots for too. One location is decided for certain, but two more are needed. If nothing else a trellis can be used in the garden.
I’ll have to post some pictures of the young garden and compost piles soon too.
