Dennis Limon (left, rear) with Louie Cook and Tom Cook (seated) next to soaking coir. photo by Vic Glover

Dennis admires a finished potting soil "volcano." photo by Louie Cook

Louie Cook spreads a layer of new coir (ground coconut husk) while building up a mound of potting soil. photo by Dennis Limon

PINE RIDGE GARDENS

At the end of August Plenty volunteer Dennis Limon went back to Pine Ridge Reservation for another 2 weeks of technical assistance. He filed this report:

A successful gardening season starts during the previous year. This is what we are putting in motion. The three main things to accomplish before planting season starts are:

1.) Make the potting soil, which takes the longest, so is done first.

2.) Build the new greenhouse, which takes a shorts time to complete but is very important to add length to the growing season. This year's tomatoes weren't ready until the end of August and a killing frost is not unusual in South Dakota before the end of September and has even occurred at the end of August. With the greenhouse, one month of ripe tomatoes could be extended to three months.

3.) Finalize the planting and distribution schedule by early 2009. This allows for starting, transplanting and distributing the plants at the correct times. Organizing seed, making a seed list and planning start dates allows for better coordination throughout the whole process. This schedule would also help the gardeners know what types of plants will be available next year and when they will need to be planted in the garden. A simple mailing could go out in March.

Some further suggestions:

1.) Start preparing the garden plots earlier.

2.) Make as many hay/manure compost piles as possible, starting them in the summer of 2009 for the spring of 2010. Use no fly attracting ingredients and turn them by tractor (to minimize rattlesnake attacks).

3.) Make and install a flow form fountain/biodynamic tea mixing tank to make teas for the potting soil and compost piles.

4.) Cover the wooden greenhouse frame with a shade cloth and put three inches of gravel down. This area could then be used to start cool weather plants in August. With a thick enough gravel floor, a simple misting system could help cool the plants on the hot and dry days of summer.

5.) Erect garden fencing to protect the plants after all this work. Neighbors let their animals loose to graze and sometimes they get into the gardens.

6.) Find a source of old hay for garden mulch. Last year's hay would be aged, decreasing the weed seeds, would hold moisture better than fresh hay and add nutrient matter to the soil sooner.

Bernard Red Cloud pitch-forks a hay pile. photo by Vic Glover

Louie Cook soaking coir (ground coconut husk).

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