Summer Garden Planning: Growing Hot Peppers and Beyond
Summer gardening is a rewarding endeavor, offering both aesthetic and practical benefits while providing an outlet for creativity. As I gear up for another growing season, my focus is on several key initiatives, including expanding my hot pepper garden and exploring sustainable farming practices.
Hot Pepper Garden Expansion
One of the highlights of my garden this year is the introduction of a dedicated hot pepper garden. Last year, I successfully grew a few Scotch Bonnet and Arapahoe peppers, and the flavor and variety of these peppers continue to captivate my family. This year, I plan to expand my hot pepper garden by planting 10 additional plants of each type. The constant sunshine and heat in that section of my garden make it ideal for these spicy peppers, which are a beloved ingredient in our kitchen.
Stringing the peppers and hanging them to dry not only provides a beautiful kitchen decoration but also ensures a steady supply of peppers for the winter and beyond. Fresh and dried hot peppers can be used in a variety of culinary applications, from homemade sauces to winter stews.
Sustainable Soils and Composting
Creating rich, well-balanced soil is crucial for a successful garden. This year, I am experimenting with various organic materials to create fertile soil in a 5-gallon bucket in my kitchen. I will incorporate eggshells, coffee grounds, potting soil, and nut shells to provide essential nutrients and enhance soil structure. These materials are readily available and offer a sustainable approach to garden soil creation.
In addition to kitchen scraps, I am dedicating time and resources to expand my outdoor mushroom growing. This addition is part of my broader commitment to a 100 pescatarian diet, as mushrooms and fungi provide a rich source of nutrition without relying on animal products. I have been using deep sheet layering and cold composting methods for the past four years, and I will continue to explore these sustainable techniques to enhance soil health and provide food sources for my garden, such as liquid and grain cultures.
Orchard and Vineyard Expansion
Building a diverse and productive orchard is a significant part of my gardening goals. I plan to plant at least 5 fruit trees each year until my orchard is established. I will focus on a variety of fruit trees, including apples, pears, cherries, plums, and peaches. With the exception of the peach trees, which have a shorter lifespan, I aim to plant several of each to ensure a sustainable harvest over the years. I am also grafting European grapes onto the root stock I have in place, and I plan to continue expanding my vineyard.
Complementing these orchards, I am planning a second planting of Paws Paws, a unique fruit tree, in my wood line. I will reach out to Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), which has a breeding program for Paws Paws, for collaboration and advice. This expansion will contribute to a more diverse and sustainable food source for my garden.
Water Management and Community Involvement
Water management is a critical component of my garden planning. I am committed to completing my rain barrel capturing system to capture water from all gutters and replenish my 3500-gallon cistern. Water-intensive areas of my garden will utilize a solar-fed water pump to ensure proper irrigation. Additionally, I plan to build community-wide drop-off sites for compostable garden waste, encouraging local participation in sustainable gardening practices.
Around the property, I am fencing in the area for goats, sheep, and laying hens, as well as expanding bee hives to four hives. This will ensure that I have enough animals to support my gardening efforts and provide a diverse food source. I also plan to expand the use of green manures that serve as animal fodder, particularly sunflowers, which will also serve as a heavy pollinator habitat for one acre, attracting essential pollinators to my garden.
By combining these initiatives, I am not only improving the productivity and sustainability of my garden but also contributing to a more self-sufficient homestead. With a strong commitment to pollinator habitat and grassland reduction, I aim to continuously improve the biodiversity and health of my garden.
If I can achieve my goal of completing 70 initiatives, it will be a passing grade that significantly advances my journey towards a self-sufficient homestead. I am excited to see how these plans unfold and to continue my ongoing efforts to grow and expand my garden.