"Nature abhors bare ground......"

Through education, observation and intuitive sense; we at the Dome have successfully created and promoted 'No Work' gardening through classes and our large, on-site, organic, mulch garden.

We are committed to educating people to take responsibility for their own health as well as the health of their local and global community by growing their own organic produce. We wish to inspire movement away from the current system of monoculture and chemical based crop production.

Many gardeners have been convinced that the creative process whereby humans coax nature to produce food-producing and aesthetically useful plants requires hard labor, tilling, watering, weeding and constant attention to fine details to have success. Volumes of detailed books, written by 'experts' are devoured each year on subjects of dubious use to the average gardener. In fact, the weight of detail and information displayed by most gardening books and 'experts' has convinced a great deal of busy people that they don't have the time or energy to garden at all...... quite a loss.

But, there's a great deal of good news. . .

Organic Mulch Gardening

How would one start with Mulch Gardening ?

 

Basically our method of mulch gardening entails creating permanent pathways in the garden area that allow access around an area of permanent beds. After the pathways are laid out the area between the paths is 'raised' by successive 'sheet mulching' using various bio-degradable materials.

What background or history does it have ?

Nature has, of course, created soils and lush plant growth through mulch decomposition for centuries. Ruth Stout, one of the people to first write about this method referred to it as the "No Work Garden." She considers digging soil or turning compost heaps a waste of energy and pointed out that the composting process occurs naturally throughout her garden as the thick mulch decomposes.

 

What materials does it take and how do I do it at home on a budget ?

 

Some various items we've used or heard work well are animal manures, compost, corn cobs (chopped), grass clippings, hay, leaves (preferably chopped), peat moss, salt hay, sawdust (rotted for the beds), seaweed/kelp, stalks (chopped), straw and wood ashes. Once you get into the mulch mentality and you will start finding mulch materials in the most unlikely places (hops from a brewery has been reported and on and on....).

While you can go out and purchase materials, part of the fun is in the creativity of the process. Such items as natural fiber clothing and newspapers find a very important use in such a system! We typically have found use for such non-organic materials such as plastic bags, old carpeting, and/or roofing felt for under the walkway mulch.

 

Come on, it can't be no-work?

 

Actually a better term would be low maintenance. "No-Work" refers more to the elimination of many back breaking processes (financially and literally) that are commonly associated with gardening/agricultural growing. The long-term benefit of building up permanent and successive no-till beds and returning all organic matter back to the beds ensures less work each year.

 

 

COMPANION PLANTING

 

Many plants have natural substances in their roots, flowers, leaves etc. that can alternately repel (anti-feedents) and/or attract insects depending on your needs. In some situations they can also help enhance the growth rate and flavor of other varieties. Our experience shows us that using companion planting throughout our garden is an important part of integrated pest management. In essence companion planting helps bring a balanced ecosystem to our garden, allowing nature to do its job.

By using companion planting, we find that they can discourage harmful pests without losing the beneficial allies. There are many varieties of herbs, flowers, etc. that can be used for companion plants. You must be open to experimenting and find what works for you. We have had success using wildflowers as a garden border and interplanting in our vegetable beds. We try to use plants native to our area so that the insects we want to attract already know what to look for. Plants with open cup shaped flowers are the most popular with beneficial insects.

Companion planting can combine beauty and purpose to give you an enjoyable, healthy environment. Have fun, let your imagination soar. There are many ways you can find to incorporate these useful plants in your garden, orchard, flower beds etc.

 

 

Utilizing the gifts and talents of every individual involved, we promote low maintenance and low cost solutions to producing healthy food and generating beauty. Working toward a more balanced approach to nature has convinced us that a joyful, simple garden experience is not only possible, but is our birthright!

 

 

Why Organic?

 

There are so many reasons to go organic.  In short, organic benefits our health because the food is not permeated with pesticides.  Plus, it is more nutritious.  Growing food organically benefits the earth and all its inhabitants because it is not contributing pesticides and artificial fertilizers to the soil and watersheds.  It is not eroding the soil and producing toxic run-off and decreasing biodiversity like conventional farming.  Organic farming practices re-nourish the soil instead of depleting it.  For more information on the benefits of organic foods, click here.

 

Support your local organic farmers.

 

           Buy Local

                      Buy Organic!

 

Why eat local food?

It tastes great! Many foods lose their peak flavor quickly with time and refrigeration. Once you have tasted fresh local tomatoes, berries, and apples you may have trouble going back to long-distance produce.

It’s healthy. Like flavor, many nutrients break down over time and with processing. So the fresher your food is, the more nutritious it will be.

It’s safe. Local food has to meet the same health standards that shipped food does. And because it changes hands fewer times there may be fewer opportunities for contamination. Still, whether your food is local or comes from far away, you should follow safe handling and preparation practices.

You can know more about it. When you buy your food direct from the farmer you can ask about specific production practices you care about (such as use of pesticides or hormones or how the animals are confined). Even if you buy it at a grocery store or restaurant you can usually find more information on where and how local food was grown and processed.

It’s fun. Visiting farmers’ markets and farms can be an entertaining activity for the whole family. Many young children are also more likely to try and enjoy foods that they helped pick or that they associate with a specific farmer.

It helps local farmers. Do you like seeing well-tended farmland nearby? That land will only stay open as long as the farmers have a profitable market for what they grow.

It helps the earth. In general, local food uses less energy for transport than food that is shipped from far away. Many farmers who market locally also choose to use ecological growing practices such as rotational grazing and Integrated Pest Management.

It helps communities. When you buy local food the dollars you spend stay in the area, in addition to helping local farmers and preserving working lands.

It’s easy! Wisconsin is blessed with farmers who grow wonderful vegetables, fruits, dairy products, meats, and many other products; and with many farmers’ markets, CSA farms, and other places for consumers to find local food. Many supermarkets and restaurants also carry some local foods. We’re not asking you to give up imported foods like coffee or chocolate or to change your diet in a big way. We think you will find making 10% of your food local way easier than pie!

Frequently Asked Questions