Hi Donna,
All the plants are grown in the ground that has fermented (with compost and oak leaves) over the winter under the tarps.
I just reuse the tarps between the plant rows to keep the moisture in the ground, and keep the weeds out so (I'm
thinking) the nutrients from the compost and oak leaves are only feeding the plants instead of weeds. And it's easier.....
But the plants are growing in the ground... This is the only way that works for me... believe me I've tried them all.
The oak leaves will pretty much compost over the winter under the tarps with the other compost, right on top of the
ground. If you have some that haven't composted down, you can just shovel them into the ground, or (if you think
they've not composted enough, and might burn your plants) just scoot them in the area that will be covered
with the tarp during growing season. The heat of the summer under those tarps will compost them down quick...
I just keep putting all the oak leaves I can find over the area, but I don't have access to a whole lot of oak leaves.
Unless you have lots of oak trees, it will take time to build up the benefits from the oak leaves adding a layer of
them a year. And I'm thinking I've read that's it best to add oak leaves as you go each year instead of just having
nothing but oak leaves.. You know the old saying, to much of a good thing, is not good at all..
This years plants (in the photo's) have not received any fertilizer at all. And where the garden is at this year is my
preferred spot, and hasn't needed any fertilizer. But in years past, and where I move my garden on the other side of
my yard. I have put some 10-10-10 under the tarps in the rows when I put the plants in. I've just not used that area
as much for gardening. It's harder to get my rain spout water to.
EDIT: Gerry (Profesora) here on this site, enlighten me to the benefits of Alfalfa as a fertilizer, (that stuff is remarkable)
so in the future when I move my garden and it still needs a little fertilizer to give my plants a boost. I'll put Alfalfa pellets
right in with the plants when I plant them. If you've not used that (try it) you will be amazed...
Guess I should have added that (thanks for asking the question) Little to no weeding, Little to no watering, and
no fertilizing once you've built up your ground with compost and oak leaves...
Thanks for your questions and your post....
