Grow Camp – A Gardening Solution

I think I’ve found the resolution to my gardening problem. First let me explain the problem. The problem is too many critters. Between the squirrels, ground hogs, deer and any other 4-legged creature living in the northeast, my garden just doesn’t stand a chance.

I once tried growing tomatoes on the porch (at least the deer couldn’t get to them), and I found little bite marks in my green tomatoes. Yep, the squirrels were feasting on my soon to be ripe tomatoes.

I Gave Up

After feeding the local squirrel population and watching as my decorative hostas were consumed by deer, I decided that nature was a bit more than I could handle. I gave up and resigned myself to the fact that I’d have to purchase my produce from the local farms and grocery stores.

A Potential Gardening Solution

The other day when I was looking for tips on how to grow the best sprouts, I came across the Grow Camp. The Grow Camp is almost like a mini green house. Rather than waste words describing it, one picture will do the trick:

BTW, check out this blog written by a gentleman who has been using the Grow Camp  for a couple of years.

One Grow Camp is 4’ x 4’. I can purchase an extension to extend it to 4’ x 8’. I’ve made the decision to purchase one, but I haven’t quite decided on which size to purchase.  I realize I can grow quite a bit of produce in a 4 x 4 foot enclosure, but my concern is variety. Is 4×4 feet enough to grow the following?

• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Lettuce
• Collards
• Kale
• Broccoli
• Strawberries
• Onions
• Potatoes
• Squash
• String Beans
• Arugula
• Zucchini
• Beets

Those are the veggies we consume on a regular basis in our house. I’m not sure how to grow these things, but I think I’ll need more space than 4′ x 4′.

The next decision I have to make is where to put the garden. I need to place it in an area where it gets plenty of sun. My only problem is the choice spot in my yard that gets the most sun is a very wet spot.

A large section of our yard is not cleared. The dividing line between the manicured section (I use the term manicured loosely) of the yard and the uncleared portion is the stream. By placing the garden near the stream, it would be out of the way, but to do that would require quite a bit of yard work in the form of raising that portion of the yard and creating some sort of drainage system.

I’m not ready to do that much work at this time, so I have to select a different spot.

One-Week Decision Making Time

It’s almost mid March and I’d like to make the decision and have everything in place by the end of March. I’m new to this gardening thing, but I’m figuring its just about planting time in this neck of the woods. I don’t have too much time to tarry.

Wish me luck!

P.S. If any gardeners have useful tips or advice, I’m all ears.

Update:  I had second thoughts about purchasing the Grow Camp