For the first time, I staked out sections in the larger raised bed and planted my crops in little chunks. I guess this is sort of square foot gardening, although I have never read that book. I mainly did it to stay better organized and to see how different crops like different spots in the garden. I also hope it will help manage bugs, but I'll let you know how that goes.
In this section, I planted fennel, lettuce, radishes, turnips, beets, chard, bok choy and fava beans. I have seeds for spinach, artichokes and collards as well, but I wanted to plant in stages. Plus, spinach, chard and collards work well in pots, so I may end up growing most of my greens in my container garden.
After planting, I mulched with a light dusting of straw and then covered the whole section with garden netting. Netting is essential, as I have lost countless seedlings to curious squirrels and skunks. Last Fall, skunks tilled my upper bed so many times that only two beets made it to maturity. So far, the netting seems to be holding them off.
I'll plant another section in a week or two. If all goes well, I'll be able to continuously harvest throughout the winter. That's a big "if," but I choose to be optimistic.
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