Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Garden Number Two

Yesterday morning I borrowed my girlfriend Jae's truck, and made two separate trips to the nursery for a truck load of garden soil.  Watching them put the soil into the bed of the truck, by use of a giant claw, it dawned on me.  I am going to have to UNLOAD this dirt!  By hand.  ALONE!!!!
Let me tell you, if you have a lot of raised beds to fill, and/or a large area for planting, then it is much more cost effective to do it this way.  I paid 25 dollars for two scoops of soil.  I had a small truck and it was too heavy to take in one load, so I had to make two trips.  But it is much cheaper than buying bagged soil and amendments.  You can add a bag or two of worm castings, or chicken manure, and you are good to go.
Most nurseries sell in bulk.  And offer delivery as well, for a small fee.
One truck load down, one to go.  It may not look like much, but believe me, shoveling it all out of the truck bed, one heap at a time, in 90 degree heat, left me feeling every single one of my 54 years!!!
My Mom will worry.  She's a worrier.  That is where I get it.  But, I rested Mama.  After I unloaded the second truck full, I got myself an ice cold soda, and sat down for a bit in the shade.
I washed out Jae's truck and returned it to her, and then got straight to work.  I shoveled and raked until I had it all spread out evenly onto my garden lot.  I also hauled a wheelbarrow full to Garden One, to fill up one remaining box.
I distributed the soil across the lot, and then at the end I created a hill that will later be used to plant my pumpkins.  I watered, rolled, tamped and smoothed.  Then divided the area into 5 separate beds for planting, creating a trench to walk between each bed for tending.
I planted each space, and watered it well.  The hardest work is done.  Now, I simply tend to it with daily watering, occasional chicken poop tea feedings, and enjoy the fresh produce!
Seeds are in.  The beds are marked so that I  know what is coming up where.  Here is what I will be harvesting this summer:  Sugar snap peas, swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, arugula, cabbage, cucumbers, cantaloupe, jalapeno peppers, bell peppers, green onions, sweet corn, bok choy, dill, two varieties of basil, sage, thyme, parsley, cilantro, 6 beefsteak tomatoes, grape tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, beets, and watermelon.  In June I will plant two types of pumpkins.  One variety is the kind that grow to be 100 pounds and more.   So there you have it.  The gardens are in.  Number One and Number Two.
As seen in the above photo, the two gardens are actually planted back to back, along the same wall.  Simply divided by this fence.  It is blocked with all sorts of this and that, to keep the chickens from sneaking in there to scratch up all of my hard work.  But very soon, the boxes will be filled high with lush vegetation, and the real fun will begin.  There is nothing in this world, like planning your dinner around what is fresh from the garden that day.
The daylight was waning, but I needed to get one more flat of impatiens in the ground. And bathe both dogs!
Oh I do love to get my hands dirty!!!  Don't you?
I'm not really a garden glove wearing kind of gal.  After giving the gardens a good watering, and putting away all of my tools, I went out back to the coop to bid my girls goodnight.
Look at those full crops!
My beautiful feathered ladies.
I went in at dark.  Having already informed Greg that he had to find something for dinner on his own, as I was knee deep in my project.  I hosed myself off, and went inside to have a bowl of cereal.  Then took 3 advil, a hot shower, and went straight to bed!  Slept like a rock.
How does your garden grow?
XO Kris

25 comments:

Dawn said...

I bet you are hurting all over, that is a ton of work girl. I am so thankful to have machinery to do that work for me.

Mereknits said...

You are like Wonder Woman out there in the garden, I am completely impressed and completely jealous. Lovely seeing the Ladies, I have been missing them.
Hugs,
Meredith

Betsy said...

What Meredith said!!! I am so jealous. Our soil is no where warm enough to plant. We're told the 3 to 4th weekend in May usually. The girls are beautiful. Now you can sit back and relax a bit.
Blessings,
Betsy

Unknown said...

Your HIRED!!!
Oh I would love your hard working little body around these parts! lol
It all looks so good Kris :)

Pammy Sue said...

I wish I could download from your brain everything you know about gardening and upload it into mine! I did a little potting outside today, but nothing like you did. I was just getting my succulents in new pots. They are so pretty...I'm totally obsessed with them. I hope I can keep them alive. I usually have such a brown thumb! I hate that! I gave them all a good talking to and told them I loved them and wanted them to grow and multiple. Ha-ha. Whatever works. I can't believe how much you planted! You're going to have an enormous crop! Can't wait to see it all come up and sitting pretty on your plates.

Valerie Cottage Making Mommy said...

You rock!!! I love gardening, it's like being a kid in a candy store as an adult. All the advice you gave me last year about composting has worked. You should see the soil it rocks.Thanks again.

Hugs,

Valerie
Cottage Making Mommy
www.lovingmyheartandhome.blogspot.com

priscilla said...

Your new garden looks huge ! I am not a glove wearing gardener either :)..Can't wait to see all your garden produces, Kris !

Lauri said...

That is quite an undertaking!

Home Meadows said...

You are a hard worker Kris! Your gardens look great. Looking forward to watching them grow. Take care, Heather

Patty Antle said...

I need an iced cold drink after reading this, Kris. You are a superwoman! What a productive day you had and you will be reaping so many wonderful produce.

Jeanna said...

I AM NOT WORTHY...I AM NOT WORTHY...I AM NOT WORTHY!

Goodness Gracious Kris. You accomplished a lot and I had no doubt that you would but in such short time?!?

Honey, Martha (you-know-who) has NOTHING on you! Can't wait to watch your garden grow!

podso said...

You are amazing! To do all that on your own. You definitely needed that advil!

podso said...

You are amazing! To do all that on your own. You definitely needed that advil!

Debbie said...

WOW WOW WOW!! I almost have to laugh at what I would look like trying to do all that. I don't think I could have worked that hard (it was soo hot yesterday Kris!) in my 30's or 40's before my knees went,let alone now! But like you when I did do it, I never used gloves either, lol. It looks WONDERFUL and all that produce you will have will be soo good. I will definitely enjoy "watching YOUR garden grow!" I think you should rest now..(for at least a few days anyway) :-)

byhooks4u said...

Our soil isn't warm enough yet..maybe soon. I am talking to hubby about doing some raised beds as our soil here is more like clay than dirt..You should be so proud of the work you did.

Amy at love made my home said...

You have done so much hard work and deserve to have lots of lovely crops growing all summer long after all of the effort that you have put in!! Good job. Now, if you fancy a change of scene, do you want to come over here and do some weeding..... xx

Unknown said...

I bet you slept like a rock...wow, that was a ton of work in one day!! Are you an overachiever? Or what?

I have two Barred Rocks and they are 5 weeks old. One has a bigger crop, would that mean it's a Rooster?

Your crocheted wreath is beautiful!

Teresa Kasner said...

Kris, you are quite simply a Wonder Woman! I read your gardening exploits to Dayle and Kristi and told them we need to get busy on our raised beds! :-) Your girls look good and healthy. I'm home and glad to be here! Today I'm going to do a bit of Easter decorating.. I only do my dining table, but I love doing that! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Grammy Staffy said...

You are amazing.... absolutely amazing. Congrats on a hard job well done.

Holly said...

My oh my woman, you are soooo busy. Can't wait to see pics of what comes up. I know it will be amazing and yummy.

Poppy said...

Wow! Kris, you have so much incredible energy for so many things, from your gardening, knitting, and cooking to hiking and camping and...!! Your garden's going to be great! Kudos to you!

xo
Poppy

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, Oh what a bounty you will have!!!! Hubby once thought about doing beds in our big backyard but since he never liked this house, knew we'd eventually leave so never followed through. I love the harvest of both plants and flowers but detest the weeding! I love fresh herbs and may have a big pot of Basil at the new house. Good job, glad you slept so well.
Sending big hugs your way!
Noreen

Kelli said...

I love seeing pictures of your home and yard. I know it takes a lot of time and energy to keep the yard up though.

Sunny Simple Life said...

I'll bring you some mini seeds I saved and some of the blue pumpkin cinderella seeds okay? See you Thurs.

Susanne Tyree said...

I read this and thought to myself.....SHUT THE DOOR! WHERE IS THE BEN GAY! oh my what ya trying to do girl kill yourself!
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)