Digging in the Dirt

[so lucky]

It was such a pretty day today, I had to get out and dig in the garden for a while. I had read an article about how crops fare so much better in a drought if the soil is deeply cultivated, because the roots go deep, and if the soil is not full of nutrients way down there, they die of starvation as much as from thirst. And then I read another article about double digging your garden, so I thought I would try that. Since my tiller is on "permanent loan" to my son, I have been hand cultivating my garden. (Good exercise) So I wandered out there today with my shovel and pitchfork. Of course, the chickens had to help, so it was slow going. And the roots had really grown over the summer. Roots from a big ole elm tree on the northeast side, and a big ole sassafras on the west side. With every other shovel full, I would get stopped short by a root. Had to have several tools out there to cut the roots out. So after I dug my row the depth of the shovel blade, I used the pitch fork to dig down and loosen the soil another 9" down. It wasn't nearly as compact or hard as I thought it would be. I shoveled ashes, chicken manure and straw in the row, then filled again with the soil I took out, which has a lot of amendments in it already.
Well, I got half a row done, and only 7 and a half to go. Maybe if I go outside every afternoon and shovel, rather than sit on my backside and watch QVC, I might be done by spring planting time.:/

 

[lesa]

That is an ambitious exercise program! Don't overdo it- you've got a long time till spring planting...

 

[digitS']

And, you will get away with this thru the next several months, So Lucky?

It was such a mild day today, I actually saw a fly! Yes . . . he was kind of buzzing around near the corner of the house when the sun was out. And, then there was some kind of flying critter when we were out walking near the lake. It wasn't a butterfly but too big for a mosquito! Rain begins tomorrow and that will melt the last of the snow. Above normal precipitation is supposed to continue in the 8 to 14 day period but even the high temperatures are going down into the 30's. I imagine that I'll again be out with a shovel in the driveway & walkways by then.

So Lucky, the elm roots sound difficult. Haven't a clue about sassafras but it sounds like you might be able to make some rootbeer from something like that. I hope you don't have too much shade from those things.

You are doing much like I've done. It began many years ago when my over-wintered rain-spoiled alfalfa/cow manure compost just wasn't quite composted enuf for the top layer of soil. I dug the beds out the depth of a shovel and tilled good stuff in. It was a great big step in the right direction!

In my "Li'l Veggie Garden," there are spruce trees along 2 sides. The one on the west side doesn't cause much trouble but two on the south side are real pains. The garden is set back enuf and the trees aren't real tall yet so shade isn't a big problem but the roots are very aggressive! I go thru and cut them out of the nearest bed every year and they come back :/ and are just as bad after 12 months.

Steve

 

[so lucky]

I believe it is the elm tree roots that are causing the most trouble. I have been slowly moving the garden away from its original place, which was quite a bit closer to the tree. I think I get enough sun; maybe from about 10 am to 6 pm. The back part of the garden is not nearly as productive as the front part. I think it is from not deep enough cultivating, and fewer organic materials before this year.
Of course, if the ground freezes, it will stop my digging. But we have had only a few killing frosts so far. Is my lavender supposed to stay green all winter? It still looks good.

 

[thistlebloom]

Good for you So Lucky! Your garden next year should really benefit from all that dedication.

Your lavender will stay greenish all winter. Here, they get grayish as it gets colder, but green right up in spring. Spring is when you'll give it a haircut so it stays nice and bushy.