Temporary (one-time) garden

12 years ago

Hey y'all,

I'm new to Gardenweb and this is my second year of gardening. My husband is an active duty soldier. We're currently renting a home and I have begun work on this year's garden, which is 23'x26'. I love the idea and looks of potager gardens, so I'm designing my own little potager this year. :)

However, my husband is going to drill sergeant school in June, and if that goes well, we will be moving in November to another Army post. So, I am having to plan my garden to be destroyed around that time. :(

Because of this, I am only going to grow annual flowers and vegetables, no perennials, because that would be a waste. I can't do permanent structures or materials since I'm going to mow it all down when we get ready to move.

My soil is very sandy. I did the soil in a jar of water, shake and let settle test, and the sand made up over 75% of the sample, with about 18% silt and 7% clay (Soil type is Rutledge fine sand). I am trying to improve the soil as best I can on a temporary basis.

I would appreciate any advice regarding my time sensitive situation with my potager garden! I would like to do pretty little brick paths and have a nice fence and everything, but I just can't, since we'll be moving to our next post soon. I refuse to not garden though!

Jenny in coastal Georgia

PS - It's been mid 80's all week and just getting hotter, so looks like I'm in for a sweltering summer...

Comments (3)

HerrGothic
12 years ago
How about doing a potted garden, maybe you can move the pots with you?
tishtoshnm Zone 6/NM
12 years ago
I have a good friend whose hubby is active duty Air Force. The longest they stay in any one place is 2 years and this summer, she is relocating to Belgium. When I was at Sam's Club, I picked up some raised bed kits that are not wood, and reasonably priced and loaned her my copy of square foot gardening. The beds can be packed and even shipped overseas for her. It is like the one linked below but I believe it is cheaper in the store. She had a great garden last year but is also excited because for the first time, she will be inheriting a garden in the next move.

Another idea for you would be to do somewhat elevated beds where the soil tapers but has no sides, thus eliminating any costs, but giving a formal structure. In the middle of your design, you could use some decorative pots for a focal point that can move with you. Your time for the potager with the brick path will come. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Raised bed kit
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aixsponsa
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks the responses. I started 3 beds in my main garden, and I also have a 3x6' square foot raised bed that is growing Little Gem lettuce in the middle with flowers around the outside. :)

Jenny