Monday, May 9, 2011

A Front Yard Farm

Here at the City Girl household we have been embarking on a brave new experiment. Urban Farming!! When this City Girl read about PRI - Cold Climate's new Urban Farm Certification Program she jumped on board fast! And let me tell you, it's been a whirlwind of classes, networking, and just plain urban farming. A City Girl's dream com true! This City Girl is psyched.

My biggest accomplishment so far? Actually REMOVING the sod in half of my front yard to accommodate a new urban farm plot! This was such a big project that I had to recruit help and I will be indebted to my helpers in free veggies for the summer. I incorporated a circular design in order to minimize the square footage taken up by paths. Plus I just think it looks darn pretty! One of my techie co-workers pointed out that it's reminiscent of a computer's power button. So maybe I was also channeling my inner geek? Whaddya think?
So far I've planted a few of my cool-weather seeds, and much of the warmer weather stuff is growing happily inside our back porch until it's late enough to put them in the garden.

Biggest challenge right now? I still have a backyard bed that needs prepping for the upcoming season. And there has been too much rain for this City Girl to get much done back there! I love the rain for my front yard plot, but can't wait for a dry day or two so I can get the back yard ready.

Hey readers? Any tips on foiling raccoons? My backyard plot will once again contain some corn. Last year's was devoured by a hungry raccoon. I hear they are almost impossible to keep away from corn in an urban setting. I'm determined to give it one more go! So if you've got any great tips, I'd love to hear 'em!

3 comments:

  1. Hi there City Girl! I wanted to be sure that you know you won the signed copy of P. Allen Smith's Seasonal Recipes from the Garden and the gift certificate to Monticello (maybe there are some front yard farm-appropriate plants available there!). When you have a chance, please email me at amylmccoy at comcast dot net with your shipping info. Thank you!

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  2. I really like this blog. I stumbled upon it with the exact same search you had for "What's eating my basil." I am one great enigma....my hubbie and I are born city slickers here in Upstate NY. 4 yrs ago we bought a farmhous, 10 acres and have 4,000 sq now dedicated to Organic Goods! We feel great and our passions for Sustainable living keep us honest & true to Mother Earth. Glad to meet you and I adore your circular plot. I must do this....less paths and more accessibility to your plants???? Want to start a Ever Bearing Strawberry Patch....next Spring I can give you my Daughters!!!!

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  3. Also....how the heck do you follow all those blogs????

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