BikemanforU Show, Episode 5: "Hillbilly Garden in the Hamptons"

Not to be confused with CMT Network's "My Big Redneck Vacation," this Bikemanforu Show episode is about low tech, low cost methods of neighborhood small scale farming.  (Disclaimer: no bicycles were used in this video, only the bike shop property!) 

Mr. Pump brings back lessons learned from the good old days of Victory Gardens around World War II.  He calls this modern effort a Cook's GardenforU.  He promises food for the table, beautiful fruits and vegetables for the summer and fall.  Flowers, too.  Growing your own food fits right into the one less car philosophy, good for the environment and good for you. So, if you aspire to be a small scale farmer for economic reasons, or just to enjoy super fresh, healthy eats, this video could be your ticket.

Some things you will witness: the mini-greenhouse for germinating seedlings converted out of the old ice-fishing shack. Using cut-off Milwaukee Best Premium Beer cans as cheap planters.  The raised bed style of planting areas, using layers of composted horse manure covered by cardboard, and then another layer of topsoil.  Worms are shown aerating the manure, and adding to the organic base.  The cardboard prevents unwanted weeds from sprouting up.  Rainwater is collected from the roof gutters, soaker hoses use Rube Goldberg inspired contraptions to pre-heat water and prevent temperature shocks.  

Hopes are high for a bumper crop.  Expect progress reports and more of Mr. Pump's garden secrets in subsequent episodes.  Feel like getting your hands dirty?

-- JPorter