The Curtis Urban Garden

From top to Bottom
1)Fence
2)April 11 - Earth Moving Day
3)Plot is prepped and ready for sowing
4)June - Week 10
5)July - Week 16


This summer I decided to turn the abandoned ally behind my house into a garden roughly 20x60 feet. I felt I was in need of a larger plot that could produce enough vegetables to sustain us through the summer and freeze or pickle the rest for the winter. My father and I cleared the alley and tilled the dirt on good Friday weekend. A good crop was produced considering some flooding setbacks due to the low ground along with the massive amount of rain fall in July. We planted corn, cow peas, green beans, okra, snap peas, heirloom tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, Roma tomatoes, cucumbers, and squash. The fertilizer I used was blood meal mixed with coffee and compost vegetables. Manure/topsoil mix was laid as a top layer. As a pesticide I used 'Organocide' which is a fish oil and sesame oil mix and applied as needed though the season. Weeds were controlled the old fashioned way of pulling except at the edges to control crawling grass and vines from entering the garden. Lisence plates were tied and strung across the plot allowing them to move in the wind, while being a reflective color one side did a descent job of keeping the birds and squirells away...at least 50% of the time. SO, I guess I could classify this garden as my first successful 'organic' garden by USDA standards at least.

Mrs. Pauline's Carriage House- current project

This shed was structurally failing due the original "brick" footings which led to the rotting of the sole plates and shifting of the entire structure. My neighbor originally wanted to tear it down and have another new pre-fabricated shed put in its place. After a closer inspection, I realized that a majority of the heart pine siding and interior studs were ok and could be salvaged. I was able to convince her that restoring the shed could be an option and would be a much more attractive solution while costing around the same as a new pre-fab shed.
I will post images as progress continues.