Some startups talk about how they coped with the budget.
When Ashley and Tyler Thomas started gardening their property in Graham, North Carolina in 2019, it was a simple partnership. “I know science and growth theory,” says Ashley, who has degrees in biology and chemistry. With a background in construction, her husband "knows it." Together they turned the oak-covered garden into a fruit and vegetable oasis.
Although at the time they did not have much experience in growing crops, they immediately got down to business. Using the lessons learned from the book, local extension services and family gardeners began experimenting with different types of vegetables. Today they grow many wild plants, including greens, roots and tubers, and a variety of fruits. This allows them to get large yields during the growing season and ensure their preservation throughout the year.
Inspirational Gardeners Everywhere
Ashley Thomas, a health coach and nutrition student, is also a role model for aspiring gardeners. “Access to nutritious food is a big issue for many people,” he said. “I thought , what if we could teach other people to do what we do with their space? To that end, he has spent the last few years documenting his gardens on Instagram (@the.mocha.gardener). He recently published his first book . How To Published by BA Gardener: Find Opportunities in Creating Your Own Food Security (Cool Springs Press).
Garden with raised beds
Tyler created 11 raised beds that allowed the couple to control the soil and avoid the root system of the old oaks on the property. But first, the couple spent months staring at the sun to decide where to place their loft bed to provide eight hours of sunshine a day. Tyler made the bed from recycled 2x4 construction and picket fence panels to save money.
Ashley maintains a database of where she grows her seeds year after year, which plants grow best in which location, and plans crop rotations to prevent disease. “This approach allows me not to be overwhelmed by planning landing sites,” she says.
Cucumbers and other climbing fruits and vegetables such as squash, cantaloupe, and sugar peas are grown on carts because of the space and air circulation, which helps prevent disease, including powdery mildew. The addition of pollinator-friendly flowers like sage, marigold and ginseng encourages bees and butterflies to visit and pollinate the greens.
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Tyler built most of the grating himself from scrap wood. “Sometimes we prefer to build rather than buy because we can customize things to suit our aesthetic,” says Ashley. "It's also significantly cheaper."
As the garden grew, so did Ashley's tastes. “I didn’t like tomatoes, but I only had experience with commercial tomatoes,” he says. "So I planted as many varieties as I could to see if all the tomatoes were terrible." Sweet, yellow-orange Sungold tomatoes and very colorful Cherokee Purple tomatoes made it a real convert.
"You're not just cultivating the place, you're improving yourself."
- Ashley Thomas
“Most of all I love gardening at night because it’s fun and relaxing – the earth is asleep, the air is calm and the temperature is perfect,” says Ashley. Beneath the light wires, Ashley uses the curfew to keep snails and other plant pests away.
DIY camp
Tyler built the garden shed on budget: Boat liners were purchased from Facebook Marketplace, flooring is sold at hardware stores, and lighting kits and solar panels are from Amazon. The couple opted for full insulation to make the shed comfortable for houseplants and people all year round.
The Green Stalk Garden vertical planter on the patio allows the couple to grow a variety of herbs in a small space, including thyme, oregano, sweet and Thai basil, parsley and rosemary.
While the couple ate most of their food fresh, Ashley also processed fruits and vegetables in a shed built by Tyler. The shed contains sinks and appliances, while Ashley distills salt jars and essential oils. He also hung herbs from the high ceiling to dry. (The camp is used as a yoga room.)
There is also a small greenhouse where Ashley grows tropical fruit plants and begins sowing before winter. He's learned a few lessons over the years: ensuring proper ventilation, adding heaters in the winter, and reinforcing the frame so the structure can withstand any storm. Twice a year, the room is thoroughly cleaned to prevent mold from forming on the panels.
Between the greenhouse, the barn and the garden, the couple can grow, learn and share experiences all year round. “By documenting it on Instagram, I can follow his journey,” he says. "It's about being able to reflect on the process."
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Read the original article on the best houses and gardens.
