Spring is almost here! (I live in Florida and spring occurs for about two weeks in March). This year we are implementing a 'Victory Garden' in the backyard. I have embraced the concept and term as it is seems quite fitting during this era of current economic unease. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, Victory Gardens were promoted in the U.S., U.K., Australia, etc... during WWII in an effort to get individuals to grow their own food, thus freeing up more resources for the war effort. These small, yard gardens were the only source of fruit and vegetables that families received during the lean years of the war. The gardens also provided people with a sense of pride and "empowerment". FYI, there is also the PBS television show, The Victory Garden that has really good info about composting, natural landscaping, etc... it's a favorite Saturday pastime. The concept of a VG is also ideal as we have little allowable space that isn't drowning in shade most of the day. For the location, we went back and forth but finally decided on a small patch in the backyard that receives a good amount of direct sunlight and was, up until now, harboring monkey grass and scattered hibiscus. 
The soil is somewhat rocky (the rocks were from previous attempts at landscaping) but otherwise suitable with little need for serious amendments. Site preparation included removing all vegetation except around the perimeter-a border of monkey grass and two large sago palms were left (see pictures). We rented a gasoline-powered tiller (playing with large, loud toys=fun) and began preparing the soil. We tilled up the entire area before adding any soil amendments. We then added compost and cow and chicken manure (fyi, chicken manure smells disgusting). We tilled after adding and 'plowed' the beds into appx. 5 rows before hand-patting into shape. 
Here is a bit of what we are planning to plant: tomatoes (grape, cherry, possibly roma), a wide variety of peppers (banana, red, green), yellow squash (that we will trellis to the north near the cabbage palm) and a large variety of herbs (basil, Thai basil, dill, cilantro, sage, mint, and whatever else catches my fancy). Because we don't have a large area, we will likely install plants that have already germinated instead of from seed (the exception is the yellow squash). I am not overly concerned with going totally organic with the VG-growing and eating (very) local are good enough for me. I never use pesticides, etc... anyway.
Next step: planting! Please check back for updates!
The soil is somewhat rocky (the rocks were from previous attempts at landscaping) but otherwise suitable with little need for serious amendments. Site preparation included removing all vegetation except around the perimeter-a border of monkey grass and two large sago palms were left (see pictures). We rented a gasoline-powered tiller (playing with large, loud toys=fun) and began preparing the soil. We tilled up the entire area before adding any soil amendments. We then added compost and cow and chicken manure (fyi, chicken manure smells disgusting). We tilled after adding and 'plowed' the beds into appx. 5 rows before hand-patting into shape. Here is a bit of what we are planning to plant: tomatoes (grape, cherry, possibly roma), a wide variety of peppers (banana, red, green), yellow squash (that we will trellis to the north near the cabbage palm) and a large variety of herbs (basil, Thai basil, dill, cilantro, sage, mint, and whatever else catches my fancy). Because we don't have a large area, we will likely install plants that have already germinated instead of from seed (the exception is the yellow squash). I am not overly concerned with going totally organic with the VG-growing and eating (very) local are good enough for me. I never use pesticides, etc... anyway.Next step: planting! Please check back for updates!
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