Let's make a difference!: Horse Trough Organic Garden

Have you ever done something that you have no clue what you are doing but you go for it anyway? That's exactly what I did! :) For years I've wanted to have my own organic garden but didn't live at the right altitude or have the space to do it. This year, I was all over it!

It's funny to get the reactions from people when you ask for help. I had purchased a 'Living Social' coupon for $17.00 that gave me $40.00 in product from the Fort Collins Nursery. I picked out some nice organic veggies but needed soil. I told the guy that I didn't know what I was doing but that I wanted an organic garden. He just stared at me for a moment and I simply said 'you got to start somewhere don't ya?' He smiled and agreed. He proceeded to tell me about how much space various veggies would take and I began handing them back to him... We narrowed it down to a few and then went on to pick out the soil.

I wanted to start with excellent soil because as you know your veggies will only be as nutritious as your soil. I thought about large pots but just wasn't feeling right about it. I love horses and thought I'll use a horse trough! I found a document on line that was really complicated and so I modified it to do it "Robin's Way". For those of you who know me I'm sure you're laughing now as "Robin's Way" doesn't always work out but I always have fun trying and laugh at myself in the process. Again, you don't know how anything will turn out if you don't try... If you fail, so what?!

I found my galvanized trough at JAX Ranch & Feed. My friend Cheryl helped me unload everything from my truck and we got it to the backyard with the help of her daughters wagon. (Thank you Cheryl!) I began by drilling 4-5 holes close together to make a larger hole in the bottom of the trough for drainage. I did 16 total large holes. I then put down 1 bag of river rocks to place the trough on. Next I put small plastic containers that I got out of the recycle bin at the nursery into the trough making sure not to cover up the drainage holes. I then put another bag of river rocks around the pots. The purpose of this is to help with drainage.

I began with compost and then moistened potting mix and alternated throughout. I added more water and mixed as I went. Kind of fun playing in the mud! Then the rain and hail came! I waited it out and got right back to work. I ended up having to go to Lowes to get more compost because it just wasn't high enough in the trough. I still had potting soil left so I'm hoping that balance will be ok. I then planted my veggies! Below are pictures of the process. I'll keep you posted on how the garden grows. :)

If you want 'produce' in your life then you have to produce yourself! Get rid of the belief system that you can't do something if you've never tried it before. Don't TRY something, JUST DO IT! As I said above, if you fail, who cares because you know what, you're going to fail again. If you talk to people who are successful, you'll probably find that they failed numerous times before they succeeded. If you should fail after you succeed, what are you going to do? 'PRODUCE' yourself again and again and again. That doesn't mean to work harder or longer, just smarter... Create it a different way, ask for help or advice but don't give up! Don't forget to enjoy the journey along the way!

Much love,
Robin