Spring is Infrastructure Time

[ursulas_alcove]

I don't have a chipper shredder so I have been cutting up branches by hand. Longer, straighter branches could be turned into posts for a wattle fence. Some sticks will become biochar. The rest are getting chopped as fill to level one of my new beds. Chrono did some chopping too. Yesterday was the quince tree and today was the black cherry tree.



For a video of the work, visit my YouTube channel.
https://youtu.be/4I2pKHr-r94?si=HPJqnFtkIu75jqfV

It hit 60 degrees today. Then comes two cold days, followed by a week of rain. I need it drier to finish what I started. I put fencing in. I have three more panels to do. Unfortunately past-me laid down carpet to suppress weeds. It was 3 inches deep. I had to remove soil and roots (quack grass) before hitting the rug. It was a chore to pull it out. I cut two sections out. There is still more but it involves moving pallets and firewood. I have three more fence panels to install. If things work out, I'll order more panels. I like this fencing.



It's starting to come together. The three cinderblock gardens and one metal raised bed are planned. The section by the fence looks like a zucchini bed to me. I could plant peas along the fence. I haven't decided quite yet. The soil is rich and full of worms. The garage garden is not yet planned out. I need to go back to my planting list. I need to put in a lot of spinach early. El Nino is on its way. The heat is harsh on the cool weather plants. I may put it into the former strawberry bed. It gets morning shade. Right now, I am concentrating on getting the beds built. There will be 5 new beds if all goes well; Four 3ft x 6 ft beds and One 4 ft x 3 ft bed.

I have my work cut out for me. The rewards are good.

Comments

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I don't have a chipper shredder so I have been cutting up branches by hand.<<

Exhausting but effective.

We did buy a chipper. It excels at turning large amounts of brush into disappointingly small amounts of mulch.

>> Longer, straighter branches could be turned into posts for a wattle fence. <<

Agreed. I want to cut some poles and try making tomato cages this year. I mean, the commercial ones are expensive and too small anyway. I have all this wood, I might as well give it a try.

>>Some sticks will become biochar. The rest are getting chopped as fill to level one of my new beds.<<

Also good.

>>The three cinderblock gardens and one metal raised bed are planned. <<

Go you!

>>The soil is rich and full of worms. <<

Yeah, mine are awake too. I was rescuing daffodil volunteers from the parking lot today. Even in all that gravel, there were worms.

Re: Thoughts

[ursulas_alcove]

That is a great idea on the tomato cages. I use the commercial ones (all very old) to support my potatoes. Those cages were always useless.

So glad your worms are doing well, even in gravel.

I haven't looked yet for daffodils. My plants are a bit confused. Instead of the snowdrops coming up, I have other plants beating them this year. Microclimates are everywhere.

Re: Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

I was surprised the snow crocus bloomed first this year. Usually it is the snowdrops or winter aconite, or bizarrely, the miniature irises.