First, let me say how much I enjoy all your videos. No matter what the topic, there is always something I can take away from it. I live in the southeast US -Zone 8. My backyard abuts a utility easement - flat, ample sun and grass/weeds. Raised beds allow me to control the weeds. The beds are all 4' x 8' and I have been using them for more than 25 years. My first beds were untreated lumber which degrades over time. Replacing rotting beds is labor intensive - not too bad when you are young, but.....I now replace beds with kits using man made products. Much more costly, but easy to install and they last. After watching your videos last year, I decided not to vigorously clean out the beds in the fall, leaving woody plant "skeletons". I planted lettuces under the canopy of the bare branches which gave some protection from light frost. As I started preparing for the new season, I found beds which contained plant "skeletons" had noticeably less weeds!!! Hopefully they provided a winter home for insects, as you noted in your video. For the first time, I planted green manure cover crops: daikon radishes and fava beans. The radishes have now bolted, bringing in the bees. I'll turn them under as I replant. The fava beans, planted solely for turning into the soil, are now setting flowers and I may actually get some beans before the temps rise! Companion planting: For the crops I grow, it's basically making sure that the garlic/onions don't share space with beans/peas. Basil and marigolds are planted throughout the garden. I added alyssum last year and will plant more this season. It stays low and doesn't crowd out other plants. I had two African Blue Basils which became enormous - each plant taking up 1/3 of a bed. I just couldn't cut them back because they brought in hundreds of bees. This year I will plant them in large pots placed adjacent to the garden to attract bees and free up valuable vegetable space. Well..I have really gone on and on!!! Again, thanks for all the info!!
First, let me say how much I enjoy all your videos. No matter what the topic, there is always something I can take away from it. I live in the southeast US -Zone 8. My backyard abuts a utility easement - flat, ample sun and grass/weeds. Raised beds allow me to control the weeds. The beds are all 4' x 8' and I have been using them for more than 25 years. My first beds were untreated lumber which degrades over time. Replacing rotting beds is labor intensive - not too bad when you are young, but.....I now replace beds with kits using man made products. Much more costly, but easy to install and they last. After watching your videos last year, I decided not to vigorously clean out the beds in the fall, leaving woody plant "skeletons". I planted lettuces under the canopy of the bare branches which gave some protection from light frost. As I started preparing for the new season, I found beds which contained plant "skeletons" had noticeably less weeds!!! Hopefully they provided a winter home for insects, as you noted in your video. For the first time, I planted green manure cover crops: daikon radishes and fava beans. The radishes have now bolted, bringing in the bees. I'll turn them under as I replant. The fava beans, planted solely for turning into the soil, are now setting flowers and I may actually get some beans before the temps rise! Companion planting: For the crops I grow, it's basically making sure that the garlic/onions don't share space with beans/peas. Basil and marigolds are planted throughout the garden. I added alyssum last year and will plant more this season. It stays low and doesn't crowd out other plants. I had two African Blue Basils which became enormous - each plant taking up 1/3 of a bed. I just couldn't cut them back because they brought in hundreds of bees. This year I will plant them in large pots placed adjacent to the garden to attract bees and free up valuable vegetable space. Well..I have really gone on and on!!! Again, thanks for all the info!!