I thought, if I plant them around these other plants I can run soaker hoses, fence it off, and I can pretty much stay out of there until the fruit on all of this starts to get ripe. That will keep the dogs from running all over them and knocking fruit off. I will be putting compost around all the plants. It will help feed the plants and keeps the moisture in the soil, which should cut the need for water. If I had a chipper, I could cover this whole acre in wood chips too and that would help lower the water bill. At least, that is the plan.
I have covered the beds in compost/mulch for that very reason. I can really see a difference since I did that. I was told to till it in the dirt a little, but I resisted. THIS time.
A few years ago I was told the same thing. I did till and my seedlings died. I planted several times. And they still died. I later found out the reason that happened was because I tilled it in. It was because the compost/mulch still needed to decompose, which takes nitrogen. It is the nitrogen that the new plants need, too. Sadly, the new babies lost out.
It is supposed to warm up this week so things should start to POP around here.
I love this time of year...so much promise.