Friday, May 14, 2010

BULL WORK

Just a few shots to show you why I've been so busy in the yard the past few weeks.

About a month ago, I laid down bricks for this "patio" in front of my garden shed.
Hmmm, I think we need a wider view. You can see the level below it (covered in dirt) that I made the year before last. I've never done any brickwork before, and don't do it the "right" way with all the crushed stone and sand. I just do what I like.

Then two weeks ago I moved on to the veggie garden to dig out all the tree roots. It's small, about 7' x 10', but after the first few shovels I said, "Forget it! I'm not going to dig this whole thing out again! (You see, there are tree roots everywhere in our yard, so I have to dig every year in the veggie plot.)

I had always wanted to try Square Foot Gardening, and figured now is the time to do it. I was looking through my garden books for something and discovered that I already had the SFG book (duh!). So I pulled it out and read it.

Then I dug out the 4' x 4' area down to a depth of 12 inches (because of the tree roots). I then double lined it with landscape fabric, and a piece of window screen that Mister had. I refilled it with a mix of the garden soil, composted manure (50%), and vermiculite. Hopefully the landscape fabric will keep out the tree roots for a few years. I just have to put up the frame for the vining plants, and I will bury a large pot in-ground for the pumpkins. I'm so excited!

So here we have it! This will grow green beans, cukes, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, radishes, lettuce, broccoli, carrots, spinach, and cauliflower.

Now, you'd think those two projects would have done me in. Almost! There were plenty of bricks left, so I moved on to the back of the house. I made another little "patio" off the stairs that lead to my workroom door. Rocks everywhere! Besides the fact that New England is just plain rocky, we've been told that we live on a gravel pit. The contractor that leveled the property next door found that out and wanted to level our yard and buy the gravel. No way! We love our hilly back yard - it's got character! Now I just have to clean up and haul the rocks away to the side of the yard.

Are you wondering why Mister didn't do these for me? Well, I like doing bull work, and he likes working on the barn - so we each have our "play" areas!

Tonight, Teen is going to the after Prom party. It's from midnight to 5 a.m. at the high school. The prom doesn't interest her at all, but when she found out the party is going to have a bouncy castle she signed right up! I don't mind driving her over at midnight (I'll be up anyway) - it's the 5 a.m. that will hurt! She's hoping to get a ride home with a friend down the street . . . me, too!

12 comments:

★Carol★ said...

Wow, what ambitious projects, and it all looks great! I've been wanting to do some brick paths, but the "right way" has been stopping me! I always like to take the easy way to do things. I hope you have a great weekend, playing in the dirt!

Sarah said...

Ambitious project, but you will be so pleased when all is complete. Looking good!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

My goodness you worked hard!! I am so interested in sq foot gardening. What book do you have?

Unknown said...

What an ambitious gal you are ... that is about the time I'd have called Mr. Fixit! Looks wonderful.

Have a beautiful weekend.
TTFN ~ Hugs, Marydon

Holly, the Old Western Gal said...

I love a pretty yard but just can't do that hard work!!! I admire your gumption!!!

Needles Everywhere said...

Wow, it looks great. Makes my back hurt to look at it. Having done some brickwork in the past I agree with you -- I don't do the sand and gravel and level or whatever. I have been doing those raised garden for a while -- just have to keep them watered well. Great job, and great post.

Cheeseboy said...

Oh, I've done brickwork like that before and I know how much time and patience it takes. Yours turned out beautifully.

craftyles said...

Wow, I'm very impressed. That's alot of work. It looks really nice. I love your garden!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I love living vicariously through you and your outdoors! My condo doesn't have a yard for me to play in, and experiment with a garden. Looks great! I hope she gets a ride home, too!

Denise Marie said...

great work, girlie.

Lesa said...

Wow-- great projects! I used to love to watch the SFG guy on tv. I've read the book but never done it the proper way-- I usually do my own version in my beds and wide row planting in my big garden.

Hubby tills and builds me fences but I've always dug out my own gardens and did all the other work-- haven't tackled pavers yet but I'd like a patio in front of my shed too. Yours looks great! Do you think will get over grown with grass?

Shelley said...

Your yard looks incredibly cute! Can't wait to see the progress! I believe you will love gardening square foot style! It's all I do!