My New kitchen Garden in Los Angeles Pictured Nov 2007

Lyonsy · Hazel Tree Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 19

I took out the front lawn and decided to grow fruit , flowers and veg instead. Started on this project last July and after a few tons of horse manure this is the result to date.

John

verge · Posted: Sun Dec 02, 2007 1:14 pm Post subject:

Wow, just wow. Interesting and edible, well done Lyonsy and welcome to IG. I see lettuce, cabbage and strawberries, what else you got?

Lyonsy · Hazel Tree Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 19

Hello IG,

LA has an extraordinary climate in so far as it is possible to have a full garden 365..so in our "winter" we grow what more northerly climates grow in late Spring /early summer. I love this season because you are not fighting really hot weather all the time.

So you asked what else is growing...

Peas, Beetroot, Celery, Spring Onions, Garlic ,various Kales and Chards (I feed these to the chickens and rabbits also), a low chill tomato (that may produce something...although we are having a cooler than normal early winter so the tomatoes will possibly go South soon..), herbs of every colour and hue, oh and finally carrots..lots and lots of carrots.

John

volga · Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 37 Location: Dublin

Wonderful stuff Lyonsy. Its so much better than a plain lawn. You must be the talk of your area.
"There goes the veg garden dude" Smile

I would love to see a few more pics if you have them, as it is great for inspiration.

Lyonsy · Hazel Tree Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 19

Thanks Volga...a few more images.

GPI · Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2007 11:54 am Post subject:

Really interesting work Lyonsy.
A refreshing break from the norm of trees shrubs and lawns.
I see you mentioned horse manure and how you dug in a good quantity of it.
Is there any other preparation/design/implementation tips that you could share with us.
I'm sure a lot of viewers to this resource would like to attempt creating a green area as fine as this

Lyonsy · Hazel Tree Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 19

Well I happen to have horses..not at this suburban locale but at a freinds farm. They are irish draughts by the way..the mare was bred in Buttevant. However my friend has two horses close to me and I go there everyday and take the manure. I keep a huge compost pile on the go constatly but I made this garden in the following way.

Stopped watering the lawn for 9 months (We had no rain for 9 months..did someone say global warming?...and Bermuda grass..impossible to kill)
Then covered the crass in VERY heavy cardboard and piled on the manure ..up to 2 ft. Let it sit for 3 months and began to grow directly into it.
Now the soil and manure is mixed and some grass comes through but I was determined to go it all organically. I am weeding out the grass relentlessly.

Interestingly the soil in a 50 yr old undisturbed lawn is suprisingly fertile. I suppose it s becasue it has lain undisturbed. Another argument in the no dig philosoply. One difference with Ireland is that weed control in general is easier.

John

annie · Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2008 4:52 am Post subject:

oh wow !!! .... absolutely fantastic John and very inspirational.
_________________
I love my garden...so do the birds, the bugs and the weeds!!!

http://delights-in-my-garden.blogspot.com/

Lyonsy · Hazel Tree Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 19

Here are a few new pictures of the garden.

John

BlackBird · Silver Birch Tree Joined: 25 Jan 2007 Posts: 157

Looks great lyonsy. I spotted sea holly and buddleia in amongst the loose shapes of the veg. They get no shortage of water by the looks of it.

Lyonsy · Hazel Tree Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 19

Thanks Blackbird..

We just had rains and the soil is at least 2 ft deep with ample mulch. I hand water about every 10 days. The idea here is to water as little as possible and the only way to do that is to have really deep soil with plently of top mulch. When July arrives it will be stressed no matter what you do so I like to enjoy these cooler months of Feb through May as my "peak" season.

John

Tom · Hazel Tree Joined: 24 Jun 2006 Posts: 42

Do you collect rain water for watering or do you use mains water Lyonsy.

Lyonsy · Hazel Tree Joined: 02 Nov 2007 Posts: 19

I use mains but i save every scrap of kitchen water in a homemade grey water system. grey water is still not legit here..Do NOT get me started on that subject. Australia is light years ahead of the States on that issue. So I use mains and as much as i can recycle. My antics amuse the heck out of friends who wonder what on earth I am doing collecting water in pots after i have cooked something etc etc!!