Row signs

This year I decided I needed to mark each row so that I didn't forget what I planted.  I looked on Pinterest for some inspiration and when I didn't find anything I liked, I decided to make my own.  So this year I busted out my Cricut machine and cut some vinyl.  I used the permanent vinyl so hopefully it will last a few years.  

I put the vinyl on a thin strip of wood.  I then attached them to just the regular wood stakes that you can get in bundles at Home Depot.  

After hammering in the nail I quickly realized I needed to pre-drill before hammering the nails. 

You need at least 2 nails for security so it doesn't flip down. 

Then I just used jute string to lash them together (mainly to cover up the nails.) 

Here's how I finished them off 

All finished 

Here they are in the garden. 

I think they turned out fantastic!! 

Pallet Garden

Since our location right now is not permenant, I decided to try a pallet garden.  It's cheap, easy to put together, and best of all, movable. 

I have several fun varieties of strawberries that needed to get in the ground but I didn't want it to be a permenant placement.  I have seen all the Pinterest pins on "vertical gardening" and growing in a pallet, so I decided to try it so that I can still grow my strawberries this summer and still be able to take them with us after we move.  

To build a pallet garden it requires just a few items.  

- a pallet- make sure that it is not treated with chemicals.  This pallet I used is Heat treated so it is completely safe.  Look for the stamp with an "HT" printed on the pallet.  

- weed barrier fabric 

- staple gun and staples

You have to line the inside of the pallet with the weed barrier to keep the soil in.  Weed barrier is breathable and soil can seep through as well so the plants don't get water logged.

I started out by measuring the weed barrier a little longer than the pallet and a little wider than 1/2 the pallet so that I could like it up the sides.  

I decided to plant in the pallet upside down to make more support underneath for transport.  

I stapled the fabric all through out 1/2 of the pallet since there is a center support beam, I just worked around it. 

Next I started tacking on the sides.  I decided to fold it like a present.  It seems to seal the soil in just perfectly too.  

Next I folded it so that it overlapped on top of the pallet to make it secure. 

Here it is folded over the top of the pallet and tacked down with staples 

It only took about 20 minutes to get both sides done.  It was super fast and free- since I had all of the supplies on hand.

For the soil, I used 50/50 soil from the garden and potting soil.  I didn't want it to be too heavy but needed the sandy loam soil for the strawberries to do well.  Strawberries are notorious for being chlorotic, so before I waterd it I sprinkled some blood meal 

around each plant to give them a boost. 

Here is the finished product 

  I still plan on adding some vinyl on the pallets when I figure out which varieties they are.  

Follow us on Facebook this summer to watch the Pallet Garden transform! 

About Dash of Granola

This is my beautiful family 

My husband Andrew is a great supporter of my crazy ideas and works so hard for our family.  My beautiful daughter Stella is 5 and she is my princess and such an amazing daughter.  And the little guy in the middle, he is my reason for this crazy journey of starting Dash of Granola Farm.  Jefferson is 2 1/2 and just so happens to rock an extra chromosome.  Jefferson has Down syndrome.  I have started this farm as a goal to have a safe, fun, educational place for Jefferson to work when he gets older.  I plan on hiring him and a few of his friends to work on the farm and  sell produce at the markets through out the summer.  I have high expectations for him and I plan on having him work with me as he gets older.  

Once I held my son for the first time, I knew he had Down syndrome.  I knew his life would be different than a typical child.  I knew I would have to fight the rest of his life for him and advocacy for acceptance.  I plan on pushing J and keep his mind moving and learning all his life.  I read about a farm in New York that hires people with intellectual disabilities to work on their farm.  This sparked an idea, why couldn't I do that? 

I have an extensive background in Horticulture.  I have a degree in ornamental horticulture from Utah State 

I have worked just about every field in horticulture.  But I have found my true calling and love in horticulture.  The past 4 years I have been working for the Salt Lake County Sheriff Office educating the prisoners in how to properly cultivate, grow, and harvest a garden.  We then go to the farmers markets and sell the produce.  The community is very supportive and loves to see the inmates at the markets each week.  I love this job and it is so rewarding to know I am hopefully helping these men and teaching them a life skill they could use after they are released.  

So going back to, why couldn't I do that? 

Last year I decided to start Dash of Granola Farm.  My goal hopefully within the next couple of years is to be able to hire a couple kids with Down syndrome to work for me.  Can you imagine going to the farmers markets and see a booth ran by kids with Down syndrome?  Seeing the public support the inmates, I cannot imagine how supportive the community will be supporting these special kids who are working, learning, weeding, watering, and growing the food they are selling.  (I know goose bumps right?) 

I am so excited!! This year will be a big year for us.  We currently have moved out of our house and are living with family for the summer.  This fall we will be purchasing our farm.  We will finally be getting our land that we will be able to call our own! 

Until next time, here is my reason!