Photo by Elyse Grau
David Saul and Debbie Hebert unwind in their front yard , which is now a source of pounds of food each class .
Debbie Hebert and David Saul ’s home is difficult to miss . On this curvey street , it ’s the only one without a front lawn . Instead , behind an attractive telegram and wood fence , grows a riotous , wide-ranging garden .
In the saltation , the M becomes awash with the bluing of wild block - me - nots , punctuated by orangish poppies . Leaves set off to emerge from the vine curl up the grape arbor . If you time it right , you may also trip up the quince bush tree in bloom . bit of garden artistry here and there show Hebert ’s whimsical side and sense of humor .
Although Hebert and Saul like their San Francisco - sphere home well enough , it had one major flaw : There was nowhere to put a garden . So they seem around for somewhere else to live and settled on Eugene , Ore. , in the fecund Willamette Valley .
Before long , they found the perfect family and immediately began to plan their garden . Hebert and Saul enrolled in a 10 - hebdomad line on sustainable horticulture at the Oregon State University Extension Service in Eugene . At the same time , they began mulch their front yard to free themselves of the lawn . “ We never used it , but had to mow and water it , ” Hebert says .
David Saul and Debbie Hebert relax in their front yard, which is now a source of pounds of food each year.
They collected mulch fabric from many place : kelp from the coast , grounds from the local coffee shop and manure from nearby farm . “ Our favorite was composted sheep manure from the barn because it contain sight of straw , ” Hebert says .
The city also coldcock truckloads of leaf in their drive . Everything was circulate on the former lawn area with the help of a wheelbarrow and rakehell .
When summertime came , a pumpkin vine emerged from the compost and finally covered the entire area . auto would slow down while passing by , and people would stop to talk . “ Lots of conversation result , ” Hebert say , and the dyad grew more acquainted with their neighbor . “ We know we wanted more community in our lives , ” explains Hebert , “ but the master goal in the beginning was to be able-bodied to grow food for thought . ”
In the backyard , they created simple rectangular beds follow the lasagna method ( See the May / June 2011 issue ofUrban Farmto learn how to build a lasagna garden ) . The layers were augmented with purchase grease mix so that they could be used correctly away . Each class , the twain adds new layer of compost .
Urban Experiment
presently , Hebert will have the practice and knowledge needed to produce all of her own seeds .
Looking back , Hebert thinks they took on too much when they tried to exchange the intact front yard all at once . Because they require it to search attractive and be fat , the purpose and industrial plant premix have changed from twelvemonth to year . Now , however , she feels they finally have it right .
A small chicken cage nestled under the trees house their two hens . In getting even for over - the - hill kale and other garden bit , the biddy provide Hebert and Saul with unused eggs and good compost cloth . The hens might even munch on a few garden hemipterous insect during their daily , manage range time .
According to Hebert , finding out which vegetables to grow and how much of everything to engraft is a learning summons . She keep elaborate book to help her with future decision .
The couple freeze down or dehydrates any homegrown nutrient that ’s not eat on . Due in part to limitations in storage space , they still purchase some of their onions and potatoes , as well as things they do n’t , or ca n’t , grow , such as Orange River and gamboge . But never tomatoes , pelf or berries . “ We never run out of frozen Charles Edward Berry , ” Hebert says . After learning about H2O preservation from a local permaculture group , the twosome began using three catchment barrelful to divert rainwater from the gutter . The barrel can store 1,200 gallons of water , which is enough for the first few calendar month of growing . During summertime , the couple swear on metropolis water . “ New springtime plantings savour the rainfall water over urban center H2O , ” Hebert says .
No space is desolate in Hebert ’s garden ; well-nigh everything get there get food of some kind . Even the few flowers that Hebert tuck among the vegetables do more than just decorate ; they attract bees and insects , which assist keep the garden level-headed .
Most industrial plant are allowed to flower and gear up source , which is then harvested for engraft and share-out with others . Eventually , Hebert plan to be practiced enough in insure pollination to be able to produce all their own seed , include the cucurbits , notorious for their ability to cross - pollinate indiscriminately .
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