What an amazing day of digging, flowering goodness. We finally got up and around about 10:30 and headed outside. What awaited us was an under worked, front flower bed of no shame, with several beautiful Indian Hawthorns and holly in full bloom. We broke everything up in 4 phases. Simple really. Right?
Phase 1: was to get all of the over run grass out of the bed. To do this, we had to de-mulch and shovel the heck out of it. Then to pull,it was time to pull pull pull, which was simple enough work but labor intensive. We hit a snag when we discovered how awful the soil was. It was amazing anything was growing here at all. The best kind of soil is a mix of clay and sand mixed nicely into a sandy loam. The optimum word here is MIXED. What we actually found was not necessarily a mix of sand and clay as much a layer or pocket of each at various ratios. We were literally pulling pockets of ready mixed clay for sculptures; and still had enough sand to fill a small pit.
This is a seriously striated and unbalanced soil sample. a layer of solid clay with a layer of solid sand!
Ahh grass free and mixed!
But BFS is HAWTER!
When this was finally done BFS and I were ready for some serious lunch at Cafe Brazil, which was so nummy and delicious. Whilst out and about we made a quick stop at the garden centers where we picked up a few things and then back to the ranch…er farm….er, sorry, suburbia, ready for Phase 2.
Phase 2: All about reconditioning the soil to promote good healthy growth. FRK disappeared for a few hrs to take an awesome nap, BFS did the edging while I worked the amended soil into the dirt. Again, simple but labor intensive.
Finally the good part.
Phase 3: All about planting the pretty pretty flowers. there was plenty of plant to go around the bed. At the garden center we picked up some creeping Pansies, Lavender and Rosemary and it really pulled together nice. At this point, it was time to get our grill on. FRK decided he was going to treat us to t-bones and fresh grilled veggies. He and BFS cooked an amazing feast while I finished off the mulching part of phase 3.
Phase 4 is all about the clean up, fertilizing, and watering, unfortunately it started to rain before I could get to the fertilizing and watering part. But the drinks on the porch replace that phase nicely and I will get up extra early and finish the job.
What a wonderful day. I enjoyed every second of it. I loved the quality time spent with peoples I love. The smells of the freshly unearthed clay mingled with the voices of children playing, and people BBQ’ing reminded me of the lake. I truly felt sad for people who shut themselves in and never truly enjoy being outside. Possibly I enjoy the gardening aspect more than most, but today was so fulfilling to be outside and immersing myself into the dirt. This may not be the acres of land I am used to but it feels like the most rewarding. I have a sense of satisfaction right now that defies the average.
Tasha was a huge help. She is the best flower watch dog in the whole world.!
looks great! now what about my front beds?
yer on, we will need soil amender, mulch, awesome plants and some muscle to get through that layer of rock! Maybe we can talk my mom into coming up and helping too.