This is what I got done this morning. Another 3' bed along the side. I also moved the rocks to the end of the plot near the road.
This is from the other side.
The bed to the right I did yesterday and also about another 7' more to the left.
Just as I was getting ready to go back to the plots, Dora called. They have decided to get someone else in there to till this better. There are many plots that have ruts 2' deep and the sod is in huge clumps. There are also some areas that were totally missed. I was a little upset at first. But, I think in the long run, it will be much better. They have calls in to some people with heavy tillers that you put on the back of a tractor. It seems that the equipment the county has is not heavy enough to do this correctly.
Hopefully, they can someone in there soon............I have gardening to do!
Yes, you have gardening to do....not to mention you did so much work by hand already. At least the rest of the garden preparation will be easier once it is tilled better. Hopefully you will be able to just run a rake over it to smooth it out. Either way, the rocks needed to be removed. How warm was it for you today?
ReplyDeleteRachel, I pulled all of my stakes and tape off after I took the pics. They want to be able to do the whole site. It was at least 75 out today. I think that we broke records. It's just crazy warm and dry dry dry. We need rain!
DeleteI was thinking of the 80-something year old that you mentioned in the previous post. Just how is he going to work over the soil?? Hopefully it will be easier for all of you once the re-till the soil.
Delete76...crazy! We hit 70 degrees today here in Maine. It worked in the garden a bit and it was really warm. The snow is gone and the garden is drying out though. Makes me wish I started my transplants earlier.
Rachel, most of the gardeners are older. I would say that there are only about 6 that are under 50. Most of the gardeners are in their 60's and up!
DeleteIt will be nice when done!
ReplyDeleteI know it will. I'm just a bit impatient!
DeleteOh, no! Why didn't they do this before you put in two hard days of work? Hopefully it will make it easier to level once they re-till it.
ReplyDeleteI got the last of mine leveled and all the piles of roots picked up, so now I have to start carting in the compost and spreading it. Mr. Granny said he was so happy with me that it's getting done this quickly. He thought I'd be at it for weeks and then finally give up. I fooled him, I finished it in just over a week!
Granny, They really got looking at the site today and were watching me work. It's really too much for most gardeners to do. Even though I'm not a tiller. I think it will be the best thing to do. I just hope that they find someone soon.
DeleteMr.Granny should know that you are a work horse by now! You really got a lot done in a short period of time!!
The plot is such a great size. It's nice that your so close to the garden road. Fingers crossed for you that they get it re-tilled quickly! How is the soil?
ReplyDeleteThe soil is OK. I have found some really nice soil and some that is so so. I am definitely having a load of mixed soil brought in as soon as they get it tilled.
DeleteI was thinking tractor tiller when I first saw the photos with the giant chunks of soil. I had a 5 ft tiller for my old tractor and it would make short work of the job! It only went about 6-8" deep though, so it was no match for hand digging.
ReplyDeleteI really think that the tilling is the solution. I should have taken some better photos of what a lot of the ground looks like. It's quite a bit to deal with. I think it would have been easier if they did nothing!
DeleteGood luck with the new plot! I've been following your blog for a few months now....look forward to seeing what you do with this new space!
ReplyDeleteHi there Liz, Thanks for following my blog. I sure do hope that things get done over there sooner rather then later. I have everything planned out and want to get going!
DeleteTilling it without removing the sod first or derooting? Prepare for some intensive weeding in the first year.
ReplyDeleteMind you, it seems that you don't mind the hard labour! Good luck!
I have never removed the sod or derooted a new garden bed. I just layer paper and compost on top. It works out well and the underlying grass decomposes. I think I'm going to need a lot of paper & compost for this new garden though!
DeleteSure hope the tilling is done properly and soon, how come they didn't notice the 2' ruts before?????
ReplyDeleteNorma, I really think that they thought the soil was more workable until they saw what I was going through and also the difficulty Steve was having with the rototiller.
DeleteWell Robin, I know that is is frusterating to pull up the beds that you have already laid out, but I think it might be worse to fight those huge dirt clods all Summer. Hopefully they will bring a powerful tiller that will level everything for you. And how cool to have this wonderful blank slate to work with! Happy gardening and Happy first day of Spring. Enjoy all of that wonderful sunshine. I am so envious!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lexa, It's nice to have a blank slate. This way I can plant everything where I want it. I sure hope this tilling gets done soon though. My seed potatoes and onion plants just arrived!!
DeleteFunny thing, we're dealing with tilling issues here too. We've amended our soil so much this spring that we need a tiller to mix it in. Yet, we know that a tiller won't go as deep as we need. We've been looking at broad-forks as a helpful addition.
ReplyDeleteI sure hope they get things together quickly. It's such a warm year. You don't need the trouble of waiting on others to get the ball rolling.
I think a broad fork will work great in your situation. They can be a bit pricey though. I don't have one. But do have a really nice pitch fork that was my grandfather's. I was using it over there. I would only till if absolutely necessary. This will actually be the first veggie garden that I have had that has been tilled.
DeleteI hope they get this done right away, I know you are anxious to get all this really backbreaking stuff out of the way so you can concentrate on the plants!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, it will cool down a bit when I have to the heavy work!
DeleteNice post!! I was looking for the same kind of informative post. I am thankful to get this post when i was searching for organic gardening
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I'm happy that you found some useful information on my blog!
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