My Chicago Garden

In 2006 I plan on pulling up at least 500 square feet of grass and nearly doubling the size of the garden to 1000 square feet. We may also pull up another 920 feet of grass for a non-food garden. All depends how much it costs to rent a grass stripper and how much we can afford in mulch. In 2005 we used approximately 90 bags of mulch for the entire yard. Plans also call for a compost bin this year or the next.

In 2005 I added an 8×8 raised bed and 4 rows of corn. The 8×8 bed was intended for squash but mismanagement this year has caused the squash to overgrow the box. I am re-evaluating the use of the new bed for next year. I believe the box may be better used for poll beans or tomatoes. Encouragingly the corn has done very well and I think I'll double the length of the corn rows next year. I've also started keeping a plot plan so crop rotation will be more effective.