After reading up on composting and soil fertility, I think it would be wise for me to spend a lot of my energy this year on the soil. The very first thing I'll do when I get the house is take soil samples and send them in to the University of Minnesota for testing. But I think it's safe to assume that an area of the yard that has been un-cared-for grass is not going to be immediately ideal for planting a garden. I know I'll have to buy compost and other things (natural fertilizers) to improve the soil in the garden before planting. But if I expand the garden more gradually, I can make my own compost for new beds.
So, here's my revised plan:
I figure that starting with two beds and two trenches shouldn't require buying a crazy amount of compost. Plus, having fewer vegetables to tend will give me more time (and mental capacity) to get a good system going for my own compost, work on other areas of the yard, and spend time with foster kitties.
I cut out the potatoes and garlic, partly because it's best to plant those as soon as the ground is workable and partly because it's more difficult to find seed potatoes and seed cloves than it is to order packets of seeds. Next year, I will definitely try to grow them.
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