Thursday evening 10 sisters braved the cold stormy evening to spend an evening in the gardens of Bro Bryce Meldrum and Pres. Rick Hjelm.
The Meldrum's Garden
Bro. Meldrum's garden was first. He showed us his rows of lush raspberry bushes and strawberries that have been composted with plenty of Tagro. He has offered both raspberry and strawberry starts to anyone who is interested.
Bro Meldrum stressed the importance of digging your soil deep and using lots of amendments (such as Tagro and composted leaf mulch) to keep the soil fertile year after year.
He showed us his rows of vegetables that have been hiding under a small hoop system greenhouse. The greenhouse is easy to make using just PVC pipe and clear plastic purchased at any hardware store. Under the hoop he has grown carrots, lettuce, spinach, broccoli and much more. He feeds his family fresh vegetables through the winter using this hoop system.
Bryce also stressed the importance of purchasing varieties of plants and seeds that are suitable for our Northwest environment. He warned that many of the big box stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot sell plants that do ok BUT if you want plants that do great get Ed Hume seeds or
Territorial Seed company seeds.
These peas were planted in December under plastic milk and juice jugs (with the bottom cut out). The jugs act like a tiny greenhouse and help the peas get a good early start.
He also suggested that the public library is a great source of information for new gardeners. We enjoyed visiting his garden. He is a wealth of information and is willing to answer questions anytime.
(look at that great rainbow!!)
These snowball viburnum weren't an official part of the tour but they were so beautiful I couldn't resist taking a snapshot.
The Hjelm's garden
Pres. Hjelm welcomed us into his backyard to show us his garden. he has been working the same garden for 20 years. They eat everything they grow and enjoy using what they produce in their kitchen.
Like Bryce, Rick stressed the importance of adding good amendments to your soil. He adds sawdust and manure and tills it in really good every year. He too has devised systems to keep his tomato plants warm during the early spring with mini greenhouses made out of wood frames and clear garbage sacks.
His carefully designed and planted garden looks very simple but yields great results every year. He has strawberries, thyme, rosemary, onions, garlic, carrots, cucumber, beans, tomatoes, zucchini, and chard. He always has plenty to share with his children and had garlic in storage from last year's harvest that he shared with all of us. He also sent each of us home with a tomato plant or two.
Thank you brothers for your kindness and generosity with your time. We thoroughly enjoyed your gardens. I know that I came home inspired and will put to use what you taught us.
The Meldrum's Garden
