Here is a succinct presentation of the history of my vegetable garden in the Sarlat area.
In April of last year, I still have only a mini vegetable garden classically broken by the force of my old arms, and torn from an old prairie full of couch grass! For
avoid To limit the prairie reconquest, I cover the outline.
But as I have already discovered Dominique Soltner, I try to mulch as I can, with what I find, old straw and flax flax (ouch ouch ouch, that was not a good idea ...)
On the Last of Saints' Day, always following Soltner's advice, I create fixed boards separated by small covered walkways, and without any cleaning of the ground, nor pitching, I straw with the means of the edge.
I bought a shredder, so
BRF of fresh hazel
BRF de figuier (that either, it is probably not a good idea, I have since read that the milk of the fig tree, it was not top)
and also ...
Very old centenary straw (bof, bof?),
Old poplar heart fallen into decay (lignin supply?)
All that I can pick up of dead leaves (but they are just beginning to fall)
A bit of lawn mowing
A little hay (but I do not dare to put too much, for fear of seeds: I have not yet discovered phenology ...)
A slight addition of wood ash
Finally, as I'm going to abandon the vegetable garden for 6 months, I cover the whole with a mulching tarpaulin that lets the water pass, because otherwise I completely trust this prairie to regain the upper hand!
I spend six months of winter discovering phenology!
When I return to the month of April, after unburdening:
I am quite satisfied with the appearance of the earth. Quackgrass comes fairly easily. I took the opportunity to clean a border strip that had not been mulched (left in the picture).
On mulched bands, mulching has not completely disappeared. Is it because of the tarpaulin? Is it because of the materials used? Is my life on the ground sufficiently active? (At 20 depth cm, I have a pH of 5 ...)
We mowed green grasses that are spread on the old mulch (not sure it is a good idea?), Then unroll two rolls of hay. Luckily, the son came to give a helping hand! Well, in fact, we did the hay for two, but I had to take the picture.
I took the opportunity to colonize a new corner of meadow. I love to enlarge the garden at so little cost!
It now has an L shape and makes 150 m
2. It was 16 m
2 last year.
After that, there was planting of potatoes, sowing of green beans a little late (for the beginning of July, we will see), transplanting of white onions and salads ... We will have to see what it gives. I'll be there next week, I can not wait!