Hud wrote:
I didn't realize how much work it is to put in a small 5'x8' garden! The
hardest part was stripping the sod and turning the big, heavy chunks of clay
soil with a shovel. Quite a few big rocks came out of that small patch of
ground! I added some sand and 5 big bags of nice, dark soil. The pitch
fork really came in handy for breaking down the chunks and mixing the soil.
I was able to work the soil to a depth of about a foot or more. Today I
busted up more chunks and turned the soil again. The last step was to rake
the soil nice and level. I think it looks pretty good. The wind is kicking
up here in Ohio and it looks like rain is on the way. I'll rake the surface
a few more times during the week and I'm thinking of putting seed (carrots &
green beans) in the ground next weekend if the weather permits.

The satifaction one feels after working even such a small piece of land is
wonderful. I can't wait to plant!





Don't forget to add some peat...helps immensely with water retention.
Also a hand full of bone meal and some well rotted manure. I add the 3
components to my beds every year. Oh...and some compost as well if you
can get it. Ideally, you want the soil to clump like a snowball in your
hand, keep its shape for a few seconds and slowly fall apart.

The good thing is that once you get all this initial work done, that's
it. Of course, if you're like me, every year you just want to expand.
I've got ten acres of forest and blueberries to work with, so this year
I'm moving three beds and adding one more (all in the one location now),
but that should be it. I don't think I can physically take care of the
any more.

..

Zone 5b in Canada's iced in Far East