Has anyone ever planted a "natural" garden? How did it work for you?

[redback]

To continue my thoughts on the 'wild' garden idea -
I have read the threads on carrots and celery in this forum's vegetable topics and think that given the semi-permanent nature of the 'wild' garden then growing these two crops separately in weed free pots or raised beds seems justified.
It's much harder to imagine how tractors can be used in the, say, one-acre natural garden that is full of fruit trees, flowers and perennials. I give up on trying to plan a periodically snow-covered garden and recommend an earth-ship style greenhouse along the entire south side of your house. I think that would eliminate the heating and ventilation problems.

 

[redback]

The reason tractors are restricted in 'natural' gardens in that nature never has bare ground or monocultures. Regenerative agriculture is using machinery to plant permanent polycultures of cereals, clovers, grasses etc. These are then used as rotating grazing areas - never being grazed for long. This regen. ag. solves carbon sequestration, water percolation, chemical pollutants and provides healthy grass-fed meat.
Market gardening existed before the 1970s and now has to return to that era. Probably a chequerboard pattern of small monocultures is the most likely system to be adopted - maybe with cut flower perimeters. I don't know.
When this drought ends, I will continue developing my semi-permanent 'wild' garden. I'll stay with the chicken coop of separate pens for rotation and periodic 'big' crops like spuds and melons.

 

[redback]

In short, the topic has changed if tractor usage is permitted. We are now talking about
1. the transition from chemical monocultures to organic monocultures - or
2. realigning modern tractor usage to pre -1970 usage in market gardening crops.

 

[Meadowlark]

In short, the topic has changed if tractor usage is permitted.

A garden tractor is just a mechanized tool...hoe, fork, rake, trowel, cultivator, shovel, etc. I don't see anything natural about a hoe, but that doesn't stop me from using one. Humans use of tools, although not natural, enables efficiencies otherwise not possible.

 

[redback]

A garden tractor is just a mechanized tool...hoe, fork, rake, trowel, cultivator, shovel, etc. I don't see anything natural about a hoe, but that doesn't stop me from using one. Humans use of tools, although not natural, enables efficiencies otherwise not possible.

A tractor can plough much more land much quicker than a handheld hoe. It's a matter of scale.
I do want to hear the rest of @GreenhouseGoblin's story.

 

[GreenhouseGoblin]

Since now we're on the subject of how prep and tend our soil, I'll post what I do.

Soil Preparation for Planting

After mowing the cover crop off, I disc the garden. I disc only once, and this is only to start breaking the crust and the cover crop roots. I then take a garden tractor mounted tiller and make two passes with it. (I think I might have said three passes in a previous post, if I did I miscounted, it's actually only two with the tiller)
Like @Meadowlark, I never till deeply. I make the first pass at 2-3 inches and then the final pass before planting at about 4-51/2 inches. The one and only reason I till before planting is to help break up the large turnip and radish roots. I don't like planting with those big roots and root pieces.

Soil Work During Planting

I use a hoe and garden rake to finish the soil before planting. I use the garden rake to smooth out any uneven soil left behind from the tiller. I use the hoe to make trenches and mounds for the seeds, starts, and live plants.

Soil Work After Planting

As mentioned before, I don't really do much to the soil after planting. A quick how job around the corn when it's young to keep the weeds from overtaking it or something like that is about all I do.

If you are reading this and it seems incomplete, please let me know what needs more detail. I wasn't exactly sure what you guys were looking for.

 

[Meadowlark]

... The one and only reason I till before planting is to help break up the large turnip and radish roots. I don't like planting with those big roots and root pieces.

I had to grin reading this because that's exactly what I've been doing the last few days...slicing up those turnip and radish roots with my disc.

I don't really do much to the soil after planting. A quick how job around the corn when it's young to keep the weeds from overtaking it or something like that is about all I do.

Same here...very little weeding after planting and no mulching for me as it just isn't needed. The only thing I grow that requires added nutrients during the growing cycle is onions...and I hit them with fish emulsion a few times during early growth. Otherwise, it is pretty much hands off after planting until harvest.

 

[redback]

I do realize that 90% of all annual crops involve cultivation. I love the way this forum seeks out the best seeds for the local area. You are attempting to improve taste and eliminate toxins.
Still cultivation is the Achilles heel of organic farming, and this topic finds a way of side stepping the problem. Perennials. Not annuals.
Peanuts, strawberries, other berries and cereal that self-seed plus lots of others - asparagus and rhubarb. In amongst these the edible flowers - marigold, nasturtiums etc. and the herbs. I think onions can be made perpetual by leaving the roots in and cutting the tops off. Bananas, some tubers - the list goes on and there are the trees for fruit.
I'm going to develop a 'natural garden' of perennials as described in this thread - as an experiment - and I think you two will do the same - if you haven't already.

 

[tyronee]

I’ve tried planting a 'natural' garden, and it’s been a rewarding experience! I focused on using native plants and creating a space that supports local wildlife like bees and butterflies. It takes a bit of patience, but once established, it’s low-maintenance and feels so organic and beautiful. If you want to add a touch of color, Global Rose offers a variety of fresh flowers that can blend seamlessly with a natural garden while giving it a little extra charm.

 

[redback]

It takes a bit of patience, but once established, it’s low-maintenance and feels so organic and beautiful.

My garden is now too big and as I age, I have to continue downsizing. It good to hear the word/s 'low-maintenance'.
I have so many brilliant 'weeds' here - amaranth, marigolds, nasturtiums, stinging nettle and more. I imagine I can add a lot more flowers and self-seeding vegetables to fill most of the space.