Sunday is the day
27 Mar 2026 10:26 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ursulas_alcoveI've been working on the infrastructure for a large garden this year. The side fence line is complete. The rug has been removed - it'd been laid down 30 years ago to appease a neighbor to keep weed downs. It was under 3 inches of soil at this point and a bear to rip out. Rugs these days are made of polypropylene and do not break down. When I laid it down, I thought it was wool, which does break down. Live and learn.
I have been continuing to chop up branches by hand, a little each day. The end is in sight. Work can only happen between storms and on days where personal issues aren't planned. I started out slowly, an hour a day of work. Then increased to one hour early in the day and one later in the day. My last stint was 4 hours straight because of previously scheduled things. I knew I only had one good day this week. Yes, I hurt. Had to be done.
I am still slicing and scalping the weeds and soil, respectively. The potato bed is ready to plant. Several grow bags and pots have been topped off. The soil I scalped is from a hugel bed I created 11 years ago. It's good rich soil which includes a lot of broken down mulberry leaves. I'll be starting on Sunday to plant potatoes. The weather appears to have settled a bit. No more hard freezes for at least a week - after Sunday. There are covers for garden beds in case of a cold front. The grow bags are right near the garage and can be moved inside. That's the current plan.
Wednesday, I planted Bed #1 with spinach and lettuce. But first I had to remove all the branches, twigs and leaves. It was more work than I thought. The storm came in last night with a vengeance. The temperature dropped from 70 to 28 degrees overnight. It's 35 and overcast right now. I just came in from carving up the Japanese maple. I'd have done more but the tiny electric chainsaw overheats and the battery pack was done for now. I will go back once the motor cools down. I'd rather do this now while it's cold outside.
While carving up the Japanese maple, I noticed an awful lot of strawberry plants are just gone. I have more on order, but it was frustrating to see. I don't know if it was a rabbit or if deer just stepped over the fence. Something had been eating my sweet potatoes in there last year. Originally, I thought it was rabbits. Perhaps not. With the exception of the peas, I have not touched the front yard garden yet. A taller fence is definitely in order. Another item in that area is to remove the buttercups and the purple dead nettle. That'll happen when the shipment comes with the new strawberry plants. No shipping date has been set.
My order of seed potatoes and onions comes in tomorrow (in theory). I'll be working on bed #2 to plant the onions on Sunday. I still have to haul 30 grow bags out of the garage (and up the hill) to plant more potatoes. Potato planting will be an all week affair. The beets are hardening off outside with the leeks. Planting could happen Wednesday. Tuesday I must babysit the car at the mechanic's. State Inspection is due. Meanwhile my van is still there. There were staffing issues at the garage. I am not in a rush and he knows it. It's cool. The car on the other hand must be inspected before the end of the month.
My first harvests from the garden will be rhubarb and asparagus. The asparagus could happen this week. Perennials are a marvelous thing. Temperatures are expected in the 60s and 70s.
I have been continuing to chop up branches by hand, a little each day. The end is in sight. Work can only happen between storms and on days where personal issues aren't planned. I started out slowly, an hour a day of work. Then increased to one hour early in the day and one later in the day. My last stint was 4 hours straight because of previously scheduled things. I knew I only had one good day this week. Yes, I hurt. Had to be done.
I am still slicing and scalping the weeds and soil, respectively. The potato bed is ready to plant. Several grow bags and pots have been topped off. The soil I scalped is from a hugel bed I created 11 years ago. It's good rich soil which includes a lot of broken down mulberry leaves. I'll be starting on Sunday to plant potatoes. The weather appears to have settled a bit. No more hard freezes for at least a week - after Sunday. There are covers for garden beds in case of a cold front. The grow bags are right near the garage and can be moved inside. That's the current plan.
Wednesday, I planted Bed #1 with spinach and lettuce. But first I had to remove all the branches, twigs and leaves. It was more work than I thought. The storm came in last night with a vengeance. The temperature dropped from 70 to 28 degrees overnight. It's 35 and overcast right now. I just came in from carving up the Japanese maple. I'd have done more but the tiny electric chainsaw overheats and the battery pack was done for now. I will go back once the motor cools down. I'd rather do this now while it's cold outside.
While carving up the Japanese maple, I noticed an awful lot of strawberry plants are just gone. I have more on order, but it was frustrating to see. I don't know if it was a rabbit or if deer just stepped over the fence. Something had been eating my sweet potatoes in there last year. Originally, I thought it was rabbits. Perhaps not. With the exception of the peas, I have not touched the front yard garden yet. A taller fence is definitely in order. Another item in that area is to remove the buttercups and the purple dead nettle. That'll happen when the shipment comes with the new strawberry plants. No shipping date has been set.
My order of seed potatoes and onions comes in tomorrow (in theory). I'll be working on bed #2 to plant the onions on Sunday. I still have to haul 30 grow bags out of the garage (and up the hill) to plant more potatoes. Potato planting will be an all week affair. The beets are hardening off outside with the leeks. Planting could happen Wednesday. Tuesday I must babysit the car at the mechanic's. State Inspection is due. Meanwhile my van is still there. There were staffing issues at the garage. I am not in a rush and he knows it. It's cool. The car on the other hand must be inspected before the end of the month.
My first harvests from the garden will be rhubarb and asparagus. The asparagus could happen this week. Perennials are a marvelous thing. Temperatures are expected in the 60s and 70s.
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Date: 31 Mar 2026 01:02 pm (UTC)Thanks
Date: 31 Mar 2026 08:51 pm (UTC)