Trellissing

Many crops can be trained to go vertical using a trellis system. Because we have limited soil area, having crops go vertical whenever possible, frees up more space for other crops thus maximizing total yields.

Compost

Compost is the cornerstone of your crop yields. It's nature's way of turning organic matter into nutrients for new growth.

Raised Beds

Raised beds are an important component to maximizing yields because:

1. Better drainage. This prevents the soil from getting water logged which could cause root rot. Raised beds are especially important when you have poor draining, clay soil.
2. Earlier defrosting of the soil. Because the soil doesn't retain unnecessary water which freeze during winter and because the soul is elevated it's not exposed to the coldest air, the soil will also tend to defrost and raise temperature first. As a result, you'll be able to plant earlier.  When combining raised beds with season extension methods, this effect is even better.

Mel's Mix

According to All New Square Foot Gardening, Mel's Mix consist of equal parts of the following:

1. Peat Moss
2. Coarse Vermiculite
3. Compost

The most expensive of these components is the Vermiculite. The good news is that the Vermiculite and Peat Moss lasts forever so it's a one time expense. You simply keep adding compost as the crops consume the nutrients provided by the compost. Since we'll be composting all our organic matter to produce our own compost, even this is only an expense the first season.

Here's our implementation of the mix this season.

Keys to Success

1. Raised beds
2. Mel's Mix
3. Compost
4. Trellissing

Methodology Inspiration

I've done tons of reading and research on the internet, but there are a couple of books that are worthy reads to get your creative juices and thought processes started. The best in my opinion is the Kindle edition of Brett L. Markham's Mini Farming: Self Sufficiency on 1/4 Acre.
This book got me started thinking about Mini Farming in my back yard. The book has so much good information.

SOIL

It's all about the soil. You need good quality soil to get good results. My thought process on this kept and keeps on changing as I read and research more. Brett shares great information on soil amendment and I was ready for the arduous process of double digging my soil come spring. Then I read the sample of Mel Bartholomew's All New Square Foot Gardening, Second Edition. If you can only get one of these two books, I recommend Brett's book. Brett credits Mel with inventing much of what mini farming is based on, having invented the Square Foot Gardening method. Personally I didn't like Mel's book due to the "look at me" feeling the book's content gave off. Even so, Mel noted one thing in the sample pages that perked my interest enough to actually pay for the full book.

MEL'S MIX

Mel shared the secret to Mel's Mix and most importantly, farming with 6" of soil and NEVER having to till your soil! That alone was worth the $10 for the book. The thought of saving all that back breaking effort is very enticing to me. To be fair, we'll see if Mel is right and it works. I'll let you know at the end of the season.
Even so, I'm going to start a Keys to Success article where we'll keep the list of core crucial things you should do for the greatest success. Mel's Mix will be on that list.

USDA Hardiness Zone

For the record, Indianapolis, IN is in the USDA Hardiness Zone 5. This means winter minimums between -20F (-29C) and -10F (-23C).  Given last week's winter blast, this seems about right.

What is Captain's Log all about?

This blog is a journal of my voyage into the world of sustainable vegetable and fruit self sufficiency for my family of 4 on our 1/3 acre lot in the heartland of America.  I've dubbed my methodology as SHAMY - Sustainable Home Agriculture with Maximized Yields.