{"id":450,"date":"2019-08-24T17:19:45","date_gmt":"2019-08-24T17:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=450"},"modified":"2019-08-24T17:19:45","modified_gmt":"2019-08-24T17:19:45","slug":"well-planned-potager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=450","title":{"rendered":"The Power of a Well-Planned Potager"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I did something that others might consider crazy on purpose. I ignored my Simplestead potager garden <strong>for 4 weeks during our hottest, driest period<\/strong>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"976\" height=\"615\" data-attachment-id=\"477\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=477\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/sunflowers.jpg?fit=976%2C615&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"976,615\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566648107&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"sunflowers\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/sunflowers.jpg?fit=976%2C615&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/sunflowers.jpg?resize=976%2C615&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-477\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We&#8217;ve had less than an inch of rain in the last 4 weeks and most of it fell today just before I came outside to document the condition of the garden after my near total neglect.  Our temperatures were also over 85 F for 23 of those 28 days of neglect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1109\" height=\"591\" data-attachment-id=\"456\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=456\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-sunflowers-red-perilla-zinnia.jpg?fit=1109%2C591&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1109,591\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566645764&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"potager-sunflowers-red-perilla-zinnia\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-sunflowers-red-perilla-zinnia.jpg?fit=1024%2C546&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-sunflowers-red-perilla-zinnia.jpg?resize=1109%2C591&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-456\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I didn&#8217;t water.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1139\" height=\"578\" data-attachment-id=\"457\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=457\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-tomatoes-beans-chard.jpg?fit=1139%2C578&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1139,578\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566645835&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"potager-tomatoes-beans-chard\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-tomatoes-beans-chard.jpg?fit=1024%2C520&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-tomatoes-beans-chard.jpg?resize=1139%2C578&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-457\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I didn&#8217;t weed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1144\" height=\"613\" data-attachment-id=\"459\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=459\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/unstaked-tomato-patch.jpg?fit=1144%2C613&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1144,613\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566645920&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"unstaked-tomato-patch\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/unstaked-tomato-patch.jpg?fit=1024%2C549&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/unstaked-tomato-patch.jpg?resize=1144%2C613&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-459\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I didn&#8217;t stake or trellis anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1109\" height=\"587\" data-attachment-id=\"461\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=461\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/peppers-beets-watermelon.jpg?fit=1109%2C587&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1109,587\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566646051&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"peppers-beets-watermelon\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/peppers-beets-watermelon.jpg?fit=1024%2C542&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/peppers-beets-watermelon.jpg?resize=1109%2C587&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-461\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I didn&#8217;t pick off insects or coddle any fungal prone plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1097\" height=\"601\" data-attachment-id=\"463\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=463\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/watermelon.jpg?fit=1097%2C601&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1097,601\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566646245&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"watermelon\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/watermelon.jpg?fit=1024%2C561&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/watermelon.jpg?resize=1097%2C601&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-463\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I just harvested the things that would rot if I didn&#8217;t pick them. That included tons of carrots, beets, peppers, cantaloupes, tomatoes, beans, and more.  That harvesting took me a grand total of about 15 minutes over the last 4 weeks.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1037\" height=\"621\" data-attachment-id=\"464\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=464\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cantaloupe.jpg?fit=1037%2C621&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1037,621\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566646292&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"cantaloupe\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cantaloupe.jpg?fit=1024%2C613&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/cantaloupe.jpg?resize=1037%2C621&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-464\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is not my normal gardening practice. I love gardening and spending time in my garden. So, it was actually hard for me to stay away. But, this is a test\/proof of concept garden that I created for the purpose of writing this blog. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"> I neglected my potager garden &#8212; on purpose &#8212; to show you how resilient a <a href=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/2019\/02\/25\/plan-your-homestead-potager-garden-location\/\">well-planned<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/2019\/05\/19\/harvest-and-succession-plant-your-homestead-potager\/\"> continuously planted<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/2019\/02\/01\/garden-dreams-and-compost-calculations\/\">compost-driven garden<\/a> could be.  <\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1100\" height=\"595\" data-attachment-id=\"465\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=465\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/mess-of-cantaloupe.jpg?fit=1100%2C595&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1100,595\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566646356&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"mess-of-cantaloupe\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/mess-of-cantaloupe.jpg?fit=1024%2C554&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/mess-of-cantaloupe.jpg?resize=1100%2C595&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-465\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gardening is not a just a way to produce food.  It&#8217;s a relationship with your environment.  So, I don&#8217;t recommend that you practice total neglect of your garden as a habit.  However, there are times when you can&#8217;t garden as much as you want to. Stuff comes up and you simply can&#8217;t get outside to do your routine maintenance and enjoy time in your garden. In other words, life happens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1080\" height=\"613\" data-attachment-id=\"466\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=466\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/peppers.jpg?fit=1080%2C613&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1080,613\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566646415&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"peppers\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/peppers.jpg?fit=1024%2C581&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/peppers.jpg?resize=1080%2C613&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-466\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you put the time into planning, developing your soil, and choosing the right plants for your garden, and keep your garden constantly planted, then your well-planned potager can keep on without you for a while.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1120\" height=\"618\" data-attachment-id=\"468\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=468\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/okra.jpg?fit=1120%2C618&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1120,618\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566646475&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"okra\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/okra.jpg?fit=1024%2C565&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/okra.jpg?resize=1120%2C618&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-468\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes &#8211; it may look a bit like a jungle with sprawling tomatoes, out of control melon vines, and a few pests (deer in my case) may visit and eat your bean or sweet potato vine leaves while you are away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1133\" height=\"624\" data-attachment-id=\"469\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=469\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/watermelon-vine-sweet-potato-leaves-eaten-potato-volunteer.jpg?fit=1133%2C624&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1133,624\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566646537&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"watermelon-vine-sweet-potato-leaves-eaten-potato-volunteer\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/watermelon-vine-sweet-potato-leaves-eaten-potato-volunteer.jpg?fit=1024%2C564&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/watermelon-vine-sweet-potato-leaves-eaten-potato-volunteer.jpg?resize=1133%2C624&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-469\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still your garden grows on. Plus, it can be easily worked back into condition with an hour or two of care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1136\" height=\"595\" data-attachment-id=\"470\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=470\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jungle-of-vegetables.jpg?fit=1136%2C595&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1136,595\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566646628&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"jungle-of-vegetables\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jungle-of-vegetables.jpg?fit=1024%2C536&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/jungle-of-vegetables.jpg?resize=1136%2C595&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-470\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most importantly, that density of planting from that jungle like atmosphere protects the soil and all the biological life encouraged with compost and compost tea when you do have time to invest in your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1081\" height=\"565\" data-attachment-id=\"472\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=472\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/hidden-ripe-tomato.jpg?fit=1081%2C565&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1081,565\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566647099&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"hidden-ripe-tomato\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/hidden-ripe-tomato.jpg?fit=1024%2C535&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/hidden-ripe-tomato.jpg?resize=1081%2C565&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-472\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now that this experiment is over, I&#8217;ll be harvesting mass quantities of vegetables today. Despite the sprawl, there are ripe, ready to eat tomatoes hiding in those vines.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"930\" height=\"546\" data-attachment-id=\"474\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=474\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/beets-survive.jpg?fit=930%2C546&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"930,546\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566647221&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"beets-survive\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/beets-survive.jpg?fit=930%2C546&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/beets-survive.jpg?resize=930%2C546&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-474\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the beet greens are a bit sun-scalded and crispy, the roots are are plump and ready to eat.  I&#8217;ll be freezing about 30 pounds of cantaloupe for our smoothies. A few that didn&#8217;t ripen fully will  go to the chickens. I&#8217;ll also harvesting every pepper and bean I can find to encourage the plants to get back to production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1083\" height=\"549\" data-attachment-id=\"475\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?attachment_id=475\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/garlic-chives-flowering-under-tomato-vines.jpg?fit=1083%2C549&amp;ssl=1\" data-orig-size=\"1083,549\" data-comments-opened=\"1\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;Tasha Poulain&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;1566647441&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"garlic-chives-flowering-under-tomato-vines\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/garlic-chives-flowering-under-tomato-vines.jpg?fit=1024%2C519&amp;ssl=1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/garlic-chives-flowering-under-tomato-vines.jpg?resize=1083%2C549&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-475\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After that, I&#8217;ll do a couple hours of maintenance such as getting some light to my garlic chives which were nearly swallowed by the tomatoes.  Generally though, I&#8217;ll just spend some quality time with my garden again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There will be lots more potager-related posts to come. However, since it is now time to start super-powering your garden with poop, I&#8217;m going to switch gears for the next few posts and talk about raising chickens the Simplestead way. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Do you want your garden to produce food even with 4 weeks of neglect in extreme heat and dry weather? Then plant a well-planned potager garden. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":115001847,"featured_media":454,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","_crdt_document":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false},"categories":[1070496],"tags":[739108,499351,750174458,35233,471169,63084,110481,750174462,18792949,670719483,77386,554554053,110520,258948],"class_list":["post-450","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-potager","tag-cantaloupe","tag-chard","tag-featured","tag-homesteading","tag-marigold","tag-okra","tag-peppers","tag-potager","tag-reluxe","tag-simplestead","tag-sunflowers","tag-tasha-greer","tag-tomatoes","tag-vegetable-garden"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Power of a Well-Planned Potager - Simplestead<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=450\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Power of a Well-Planned Potager - Simplestead\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Do you want your garden to produce food even with 4 weeks of neglect in extreme heat and dry weather? Then plant a well-planned potager garden.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=450\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Simplestead\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Homesteadhappy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2019-08-24T17:19:45+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/potager-flowers.jpg?fit=1123%2C611&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1123\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"611\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Simplestead\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Simplestead\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=450#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=450\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Simplestead\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/76883eedf0968c4d3b472daed1332511\"},\"headline\":\"The Power of a Well-Planned Potager\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-08-24T17:19:45+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=450\"},\"wordCount\":589,\"commentCount\":2,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=450#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/simplestead.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2019\\\/08\\\/potager-flowers.jpg?fit=1123%2C611&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"cantaloupe\",\"chard\",\"featured\",\"homesteading\",\"marigold\",\"okra\",\"peppers\",\"potager\",\"reluxe\",\"simplestead\",\"sunflowers\",\"Tasha Greer\",\"tomatoes\",\"vegetable garden\"],\"articleSection\":[\"potager\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=450#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=450\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/simplestead.com\\\/?p=450\",\"name\":\"The Power of a Well-Planned Potager - 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I also explained why I think it's really important to make a vegetable garden functional and beautiful and inviting. Now I want to cover a few\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;potager&quot;","block_context":{"text":"potager","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=1070496"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/compost.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/compost.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/compost.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/compost.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/03\/compost.jpg?fit=1200%2C798&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":219,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=219","url_meta":{"origin":450,"position":1},"title":"Plan Your Homestead Potager Garden Location","author":"Simplestead","date":"February 25, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"A potager garden is a place to grow food, skills, and beauty. You can make one just about anywhere, in a lot as small as a few hundred square feet. However, when you spend a little time carefully considering your location and planning your design, your job as a gardener\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;potager&quot;","block_context":{"text":"potager","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=1070496"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/keyhole-garden.jpg?fit=789%2C602&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/keyhole-garden.jpg?fit=789%2C602&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/keyhole-garden.jpg?fit=789%2C602&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/keyhole-garden.jpg?fit=789%2C602&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4127,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=4127","url_meta":{"origin":450,"position":2},"title":"Epicurean Living: The Chicken Issue!","author":"Simplestead","date":"April 4, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The latest edition of Epicurean Living is now available for free online viewing or download. I've dubbed this one the \"chicken issue\" since I devoted the entire Epicurean homesteading section to the subject. There are also details on using all five senses in the garden and some easy ways to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Basic Skills&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Basic Skills","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=158000"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/poultry-and-deadnettle.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/poultry-and-deadnettle.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/poultry-and-deadnettle.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/poultry-and-deadnettle.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/poultry-and-deadnettle.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":155,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=155","url_meta":{"origin":450,"position":3},"title":"Starting a Homestead Potager","author":"Simplestead","date":"February 20, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"I strongly believe that all in-ground homestead vegetable gardens should be \"potagers\". Potager is a French word that embodies the idea of both a functional kitchen garden and a beautiful space that allows for creative expression and cultivation of your gardening skills. Potagers have lots of vegetables, of course. However,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;potager&quot;","block_context":{"text":"potager","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=1070496"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/homestead-potager-early.jpg?fit=816%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/homestead-potager-early.jpg?fit=816%2C558&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/homestead-potager-early.jpg?fit=816%2C558&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/homestead-potager-early.jpg?fit=816%2C558&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":325,"url":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?p=325","url_meta":{"origin":450,"position":4},"title":"Plant Your Homestead Potager","author":"Simplestead","date":"May 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Now that you've constructed your homestead potager, it's time to plant. Well, almost... There are two more things I suggest you do before you put plants or seeds in the ground. 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Day by day, they brighten a bit more. Blooms begin. Foliage fills in. Then one morning, you step outside and find the world transformed by life. This morning -- a blustery, cold one set against the backdrop of a bright sun -- it feels\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Inspiration&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Inspiration","link":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/?cat=107"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/simplestead.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-gate.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/450","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/115001847"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=450"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/450\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":481,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/450\/revisions\/481"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=450"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=450"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simplestead.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=450"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}