Jaime Wilkerson's Page

I am trying to "live off the land," so to speak, for the physical and fiscal health of my family. What you buy in the grocery store doesn't look or taste good, isn't that great for you and costs too much. The "tire garden" was an expirement. I wanted beds, these were free and I like that I am reusing something that would otherwise be an addition to our waste problem. It isn't as pretty as a box bed, but its off by itself behind a fence and not directly visible. So far it seems to be working really well, though I've had problems keeping fire ants out of the beds. I was huge pregnant when I put the garden together this Spring so I didn't get everything I wanted done, next year I want heavy mulching in between each row to keep down weeds and a few more tire rows to try corn and sunflowers on the north side. I've been totally organic this year and it seems to be working out really well for me, except i'm starting to have some pest problems. The garden consists of watermelon, canteloupe, cucumbers, several varieties of squash, carrots, turnips, Romaine lettuce, radishes, lots of different peppers and tomatos, dill, cilantro, German thyme, sweet basil and lavender. I welcome any and all advice on sustenance gardening! There is also a small bed near the house with beans, cauliflour, broccoli, spinach, more Romaine, onions and strawberries (it wraps around an unused pump-house). I have big plans for lots of blueberries, blackberries and raspberries next year, too!