Random post on latest update on my urban gardening efforts using many if not all aspects of bio-intensive methodology.
Bio-intensive gardening, as far as I understand advocates following
- Double dig method: Use following method depicted in the image below.
- Compost: Used composted horse manure from local stable
- Living mulch
- Rotating crops between high-calorie and other plants
After trying bio-intensive method for six-months, I found that using first two steps has been relatively straightforward. The third step – of living mulch (to discourage weeds) is not easy. To combat weeds (morning glory specifically, I started using straw as mulch – see update below)
The produce, of tomatoes this summer season was very good (compared to produce from previous season) – from total of about 8 plants, estimated produce was 35 lb. The chili pepper produce was disappointing. And produce from cucumber and pumpkin was almost zero since the vines died due to lack of watering.
Update on July 7, 2019 – Second harvest after bio-intensive farming – yields as below
- Yellow onions – 22 lb
- Potatoes (mix of German butterball, purple and russet) – 45 lb.
- Garlic – 5 bunches
- companion plant – romain lettuce – 4 heads (approx 1 lb each)
- Total area farmed – about 70 sq feet ( ~14×5)
- Fertilizers – one application of coffee grounds, two applications of alfalfa pellets, few oz. of fish-and-poop, one application of bone meal
- Used straw as mulch – about 3″ layer – this reduced weeding effort by ~90%
- Water – No watering between November to April (rained ~1″ per week). Then about once a week after April.
