Abundant Organic Gardening: Craig Murray's Methods

More than a decade ago, Craig Murray began growing hard-to-find tomatoes and peppers in Los Altos Hills, California. His organic methods yielded so much produce that he expanded to other vegetables, herbs, and flowers for a roadside stand. Today his 1-acre plot includes zinnias, rudbeckias, dahlias, tomatoes ('First Lady', 'Big Beef', heirloom 'Caspian Pink'), and peppers ('Gypsy', 'Vidi'). Murray, a landscape designer, contractor, and horticultural consultant, says his garden connects him with community and earth: "This is a gathering place; customers come to chat and exchange recipes."

Murray's Method

1. Start from seed to grow unusual varieties not sold as seedlings. "There's joy in germinating seeds and watching them mature."
2. Prepare soil with several inches of compost and balanced organic fertilizer, or plant cover crops (barley, clover, legumes, oats, vetch) in fall and till in spring.
3. Create narrow rows (30–36 inches wide) mounded to 8 inches for drainage.
4. Lay drip tape or soaker hoses lengthwise; irrigate to moisten soil.
5. Cover rows with plastic mulch, burying edges to secure.
6. Plant seedlings tightly (cut 4-inch Xs in plastic) so plants support each other and protect foliage from sunburn.
7. Support with stakes and string: posts at bed corners, plastic twine horizontally every 8–10 inches of height.

Murray uses no chemical fertilizers or pesticides, relying on beneficial insects for pest control. "If you provide sun, water, enriched soil, and the best varieties, you'll get results."