Yes, someone in the county put barricades up at the old site! Hmmm, wouldn't you think that the department in charge of this site would be notified??? No!!! When she found out the County offices were already closed for the weekend. She told me to just go around the barricades, which I did. I am going back tomorrow and will spend a good deal of time there. I am planning to remove the chicken wire, some posts, some fencing and trim back and mark what blackberries I am going to move.
Then I went over to the new site. It took the woman two days just to plow that site. It consists of 100, 20' x 30' plots. I lived on a farm most of my life and didn't know it took that long!
This is most of the new site plowed. The red X in the back is approximately where our plots will be. I sure hope those darn geese don't stick around!
This is to the right of the previous picture. There are some more plots in the back, some more parking and turn around and the area where the county will put our free compost.
I walked down to see where our plots are going to be. They will run 30' from X1 to X2 and then 40' deep. It's a good location. They are right on the road so I can park the car by the gate.
This is the road. They didn't do a very good job and it's not exactly how it was supposed to be....but, it will do.
As I was leaving, I spotted this guy way at the other end, past the plots, sneaking out of the brush.
I zoomed in as much as I could and got a pic! I have to thank "The Italian" for this great camera! I really hope that Mr. or Mrs. Fox keeps the bunnies under control!
Let's hope and pray that the site is disced on Monday. Then Dora can get the plots marked off and we all can start getting our sites ready!
The new site looks wonderful, Robin. It will be a lot of hard work, but a new beginning. I look forward to watching your progress.
ReplyDeleteLorie
Thanks Lorie, The site is nice and the soil is better then we thought it would. I just wish they would get done what was supposed to be done last fall.
DeleteLooks like it is going well to me. I think the road is pretty good too (looks a lot better than the one I live on, lol).
ReplyDeleteThe road is better then it was when they put the stone down over a week ago. It's not exactly where it is supposed to be and it was twice as wide at one end then the other.
DeleteHey Robin--what kind of camera do you have?
ReplyDeleteLis
It's a Canon Power Shot SX130 IS. It has a really good zoom. But, I am still having difficulties with it. I was used to my 35mm EOS Rebel. "The Italian" didn't know he could have bought me the same camera in a digital and I could have used my old lenses. I think I will be learning how to use this for awhile!
DeleteLooking good. Will you be in this same location next season as well. I would hate to have to move every year! :-)
ReplyDeleteLiisa, If we had to move every year, I would not take a plot! They were at the last site for more then 20 years.
DeleteI can understand you itching to get started. I hope you can get on your plot soon.
ReplyDeleteSue, Last year I started working at the old site at the end of January. It's really frustrating having to sit and wait. It's a good thing that I have some gardening beds here at the house. If I didn't, we wouldn't have any spring veggies around here.
DeleteOh boy, that's a big plot! I hope you can get working in it soon. I'm itching to get going on mine.
ReplyDeleteI guess that we have Spring Gardening Fever! Hopefully things will move along quickly this week!
DeleteRobin, your new plot looks wonderful but I know how much work you put into the old plot just have to move this year. I certainly know how slow the government moves from my purchase of the foreclosed property. Three months just to get a clear deed. I'm full force into preparing the site for planting just as you are for your new site. I have about one more day of cleanup before the plowing can be done.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new gardening adventure. It will be interesting to watch how the year progresses over the summer.
Oh, I have read that geese are good for the garden. They supposedly don't bother the garden plants but just eat the bugs and the weeds. It's just what I've read so I'm not talking from experience. So maybe it might be a plus to have them hang around.
Have a great day in the garden.
Thanks David, All of the gardeners are really getingt impatient with this move. This work could have been done last fall. Truthfully, the garden really didn't need to move. I guess somebody decided that they didn't want to look at food growing while they were at work.
DeleteI bet you are so excited for it to finally happen. I SO love the idea of community gardens, wish more places had that, it's an awesome idea. It will happen soon don't you worry. Can't wait to watch it happen. I'm getting spring fever for our beds to start too. Rainy weekend now, so hope to start next weekend. Gotta love spring fever!
ReplyDeleteI think that I am more aggravated over the move then excited. Can you tell??? I guess that it is time to change my frame of mind with regard to the move! I will post lots of pics, just like last year.
DeleteThat is a wide open palette waiting to be transformed into a food oasis! I am excited to see how you work this plot into another great working garden.
ReplyDeleteThanks Laura for your positive thoughts! I am just getting ready to go to the old site and start digging out all that chicken wire!
DeleteI remember how much work you had into your garden plots last year, and now you'll have to do pretty much the same this year. Hopefully it will be ready soon, and then you won't have to move for another 20 years! Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your progress.
ReplyDelete~~Lori
Thanks Lori, This site is going to require a lot more work then when I got the plots last year. This is soil that has never been used for gardening or farming. So, it's going to take a few years to get the soil in shape. One good thing is that the soil is better then we thought and there aren't a ton of rocks. Boy, I remember picking rocks in the fields at the farm....no fun at all!!
Deleteoh my that is just crazy. at least they are making some progress I hope they speed things up and you can get out there asap
ReplyDeleteMrsP, I am hoping and praying that they get a lot more done this week. It's really warm out and I need to get some things moved.
DeleteI live in the same area as you do (close to the community garden, in fact) and wonder where you recommend purchasing potato seeds locally?
ReplyDeleteThanks and good luck with the new garden!
Hi there Anonymous! You will have to stop by the plots once we get moved to the new site. I will be at 6 & 7.
DeleteI order my seed potatoes from Maine. I have only lived in the area for 7 years and there isn't much available around here. I do find a lot at Herbein's Garden Center in Emmaus. I'm not sure if they carry seed potatoes though. If they don't have them. You could call Hickory Grove in Catasaqua. Good Luck and let me know how you make out!
Thanks, Robin. I will stop by this summer! Last year I strolled through your community garden one evening and came away with a few onions and bag full of lettuce. (The very generous gardner had about three plots on the end; he had an accent - Hispanic or Italian? Anyway, he was so nice. I tried returning his gift by bringing homemade jam to him but never came when he was there again.)
DeleteAnyway, I might just order potato seeds online. Last year, I bought some at Weaver's hardware store in Fleetwood since I was shopping nearby at Echo Hill. They didn't have a large variety and nothing I out of the ordinary.
Thanks again. I'll look for you this summer!
Kathy
You're lucky; we're having to do all of ours - and fund it - ourselves! Be thankful for any help, slow or otherwise.
ReplyDeleteI just read your post. Boy, you got a lot of work done! Yes, I must be thankful that they are tilling the soil for us. I'm just a bit impatient!
DeleteYou have a lot of work ahead of you. I hope things progress more smoothly. On the bright side though, the soil shouldn't harbor any diseases and you are right near the road and won't have to lug stuff in too far.
ReplyDeleteYes, we should have it a little easier with regard to disease and bugs for a few years. I will be able to park my car right by my gate like I did at the other site.
DeleteI know you are getting antsy to be able to get in there, I hope everything goes smoothly!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like I may be able to start putting up my fencing by the middle or end of next week. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!
DeleteDid they use a tractor for the plowing, or a mule team? Two days *is* a lot of time! I would think the fox is a great sign. The geese - not so much. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the wheels of goverment will keep on turning and moving forward with the plots!
ReplyDeleteDave, I am so glad that someone agrees with me on this. My father used to plow with a mule team in the 40's. I am sure that he got a lot more done then this. There was a little discing done today. It looks like Dora will have her team next week to help her mark all the plots. Hopefully I will be working over there by the end of next week.
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