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Easy Organic Garden

posted by Russ, September 26 in sustainability with tags , ,

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I had been inspired to initially write the post by a trip back to Connecticut to visit my mother last year. She has a nice size yard, just a little over 3 acres, and over the years has had some very nice gardens. Even back before it was popular, she was growing organic gardens, without the use of any fertilizers, pesticides, or chemicals, if anything at all she just amended the soil using compost. Oh and not to mention the chickens that would peck through the dirt all day, fertilizing as they went along. While she does still grow some vegetables each year, many of the areas of garden have just sort of taken on a life of their own.

organic apple tree

Apple tree in mom’s yard!

In a yard like this she has so many possibilities, especially when compared to what I am now used to, having lived in tiny little apartments with little or no yard here in San Diego for many years. She has an apple tree that is probably 15 years old, and never gets watered and hasn’t been pruned in at least 10 years. But it grows apples by the dozen, though they are not of the greatest quality. However with a little work it could probably supply organic apples for the neighborhood for the entire summer.

Along the side of the driveway there are wild grapes growing all over, as well as wild blueberries and a few wild cherry trees. The grapes are sub par, but could probably be used for something with a little bit of work. The blueberries on the other hand are amazing. The cherries aren’t so great, but I’m sure there is some way to improve the quality with some work.

large organic basil plant

Huge basil plant

Here is a photo of a basil plant that she rarely touches, yet has somehow grown to a size I have never been able to achieve at my own hand. This plant also is completely organic. I am just amazed at the potential of a yard like this. While most of these are perennial plants, the others she just plants and then leaves unattended for the most part until the time of harvest. She grows tomatoes, pumpkins, and squash, and all without any attention on her part, just plants them, then leaves them. No watering except for the potted plants, no fertilizers except all the old stuff that has been left from previous years and has naturally been composted. Some days I wish I could just reign in that potential, creating a little lucrative side business selling grapes for wine making, fresh blueberries, pumpkins, salsas, apples, and the list goes on!

Here are a few more photos to enjoy…

  

Originally posted on Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 4:07 PM .

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