Vege Patch: The Extension Project (Phase 2 complete)

Phase 2 is officially complete. Well Phase 2.1 in any case as we still intend to put a fence around the area but that has been postponed pending the house extensions. Here are the pics of the final gardens (already planted with beetroots, carrots, broccoli and corn)

Vege Patch: The Extension Project II

The weed mat has now all be put down and we have started putting in the 20mm river stones to create workspaces around the various gardens. The garden area itself is edged with old railway sleepers - at $5 a pop they are a great way to have a nice rustic edge to gardens and other edging.

The area is coming together very nicely - without the constant battle with the in between grasses it will be far easier and more enjoyable to work the gardens. It gives the kids somewhere to play as well as rocks and dumptrucks go very well together.

The boys are all being great helpers with shovelling rocks around as well. Altogether the extension will cost us $50 for the sleepers, $25 in bolts, $90 in weedmatting, $160 in stones totalling $325 for easy access, low maintenance, healthy gardens!

Jayson

Vege Patch: The Extension Project

Stage 2 of the vege patch has now entered the formal planning stage. To the left are some photos of the existing gardens with the new ones in sight and for those not suffering from any eye issues, the string for the new fence is vaguely visible around the edges.

We currently have 21m² of vege garden space. This doesn't take into account the sandy loam garden at the end of the chicken coop as it is only really suitable for watermelons at the moment.

We are adding an additional 12m² of gardens in. We are also putting rabbit/hare/fox/overly diggy chocolate labrador proof fencing around the whole area and river pebbling the areas between the gardens to try to get on top of the grass which incessently marches, leaps and underscores the gardens themselves.

We are going to put thin gardens in around the fencing itself which will add an additional 5m² of vege space bringing our grand total to 38m² of deliciously abundant soil. This is a little over 409 sq ft for you imperials out there. In “How To Grow More Vegetables”, intensive gardening guru, John Jeavons, says you’ll need about 100 sq ft. per person, to grow enough vegetables to feed them for the whole year. With a family of five we need 500 sq ft, but as the boys are all under 8 I think we have time to add that critical 91sq ft or 8.5m² at a later stage.

FYI - The bottom picture shows our Asian vegetables coming through - there are a couple of Bok Choys, a couple of asian lettuces and an as yet unidentified one (Im hoping not some form of triffid).

Jayson