[stephanie]

are you planning on having a green house? if so you could put it near where the garden is going to be and put gutters on it to collect any rain or snow run off from that. I would also look into installing a cistern to hold water in your area. that is basically a super sized rain barrel below ground, those can have pumps run off them to pressurize the water kinda like you would for a well. if there are any sheds to put a gutter on and use those roofs to help collect run off water from rain that can be useful also.

 

[stephanie]

I would opt for a garden that doesn't need to be watered such as a back to eden garden. They require minimal water at best even in the driest of climates. this means no digging,tilling, spading, just layering of materials that hold water and also prevent the evaporation of water from the underlying soils. I do recommend watching this not for the religious parts but for the common gardening sense it makes.http://backtoedenfilm.com/

 

[stephanie]

that is what I was thinking it would help retain moisture in the garden thus having to water less and then maybe a rain barrel for those real bad times to help out a bit.

 

[stephanie]

Stephanie, I have watched BTE film and find it quiet interesting. I believe you lasagna garden as I also do. Just a week ago I had a tree company haul me 3 huge loads of chips, actually about 60-75 yards! this is of course green material. Now according to BTE film, I could put this material on my lasagna beds now about 4-6 inches deep, on TOP of the beds. Then when planting time rolls around to rake back the chips and Plant (transplant) in the soil beneath the chips. Am I reading this right?? I don't mean to take away from DWells thread, but this could possible help DWells also.
may every gardener be blessed this year!

yes I think that is what he means seems the wood chips block the growth of weeds, I am currently adding poo to my garden then have chips to cover the poo after that the darn snow has slowed my progress down!