Most people overcomplicate their garden. I like to think of it as building a small ecosystem—one layer at a time. Here’s a simple way to approach it: 1. Start with the edges I always begin with the border. This is where herbs and flowers go—things like chives, thyme, calendula, or alyssum. They’re not just decorative. They: - attract pollinators - bring in beneficial insects - help with pest balance - and give the garden structure from day one This edge sets the tone for everything else. 2. Anchor the garden with your main crops Next, I place the biggest, most important plants. These are your fruiting crops: - spring → peas - summer → tomatoes, cucumbers I usually run these up a trellis through the center. This creates vertical growth, saves space, and gives the garden a strong backbone. 3. Layer in the roots Once the structure is in place, I add root crops right alongside. Radishes, carrots, beets… They work below the surface while your fruiting plants grow above.Different layers, same space. 4. Fill with leafy greens Then come the greens—tucked just inside the border. Lettuce, arugula, spinach. I like to seed some and also plant a few starts so there’s something ready to harvest early on. This is where people start to feel momentum. 5. Don’t skip the “in-between” layer This is the one most people miss. Between the herbs and the greens, I always place a few longer-season plants: - kale - Swiss chard - parsley These hold the garden together over time and keep it productive beyond the first harvests. 6. Add your protectors Finally, I bring in the strong-smelling plants: - garlic - onions - chives They help create a bit more resilience in the system and round everything out. 🌱 That’s it It’s not about planting more. It’s about placing plants in relationship to each other—so the garden starts to support itself. If you follow this structure, even a small raised bed can become: - productive - beautiful - and surprisingly low-maintenance

We had a beautiful day yesterday and I go to put in some sweat equity 😅 into the micro farm. The compost is coming along and I started building a new hugelkulture. I will be posting some dates for volunteering at this site for those of you shovel ready 😆 this is a good place to learn about composting, building and planting raised beds, hugels, flower beds.

Your quick guide to getting the most out of this community Hey friends, I’m Paulo, and I’m so glad you’re here. This club was created to bring together gardeners, growers, nature lovers, and anyone who wants to reconnect with the seasons and build a meaningful, beautiful, resilient life. Whether you grow veggies, natives, ornamentals, fruit trees, or you’re just getting started… this is your home. This post will help you get oriented in under 2 minutes. 1. Introduce Yourself Jump into the Introductions thread and tell us: - Where you’re growing - What kind of garden you have (or want to have) - What you’re excited to learn this season We’re all neighbors here, even if we’re spread out across the world. 2. Grab Your Free Resources Inside the club you’ll find: The Kitchen Garden Course, a simple ACTION plan to get your garden started 3. Join the Conversation Post photos, questions, plant IDs, project ideas, or things you're working on. This club works because we grow together, not alone. No question is too basic. No garden is too small. No mistake is too embarrassing, we’ve all made them! PLEASE BE KIND AND NO SELF PROMOTION. 4. Local Members: Join the Meetups If you're in Fort Collins or the Front Range, keep an eye out for: - Garden tours - Seed swaps - Community work days - Workshops and seasonal gatherings These are a huge part of what makes this club special. 5. Stay Connected Check your notifications so you don’t miss: - Weekly posts - Seasonal garden guidance - Local events - New videos and resources If you miss anything, everything stays organized inside Skool. 6. Our Guiding Principles We follow the three permaculture ethics in everything we do: 1. Care for the Earth 2. Care for the People 3. Return the Surplus These aren’t rules, they’re the spirit of how we show up here. 🌼 You're Here. You're Part of This. Let's Grow. Thank you for being part of the Mandala Garden Club.This community is built on kindness, curiosity, and a shared love for the land.

At our meetup, some folks asked me about soil amendments and dealing with compaction to be able to start a new flower garden. I'll be diving into this and more questions live here in a few days. What’s one garden decision you’re feeling unsure about right now? Big or small. There’s no rush to resolve it, sometimes naming the question is the work. Feel free to share if you’d like.