Around the Garden

The path around the main vegetable garden is in. I think it looks pretty good; although (naturally) there are some adjustments here-and-there that remain. At any rate, it is very nice to walk around the area without stepping into the mud. Also - and this is an unanticipated side-benefit - the path defines the space more clearly. The flower beds along the west edge are more visible. The space between the deck and the path could obviously accommodate some ground cover, some flowers, or perhaps a small raised bed or row of pots.

Also, a big batch of compost is pretty well cooked. According to the garden guide for our region, this is a fine time to turn in soil amendments and get serious about other prep work. Soooo.... the plan is my big batch of compost will be turned into the soil (along with the cover crop of winter rye) this weekend. Then I'd like to put plastic sheeting on my net hoops - PVC pipe framework that "quonset huts" itself over most of the garden - for a couple of weeks to keep off the rain and warm the soil. That's a lot of work, BTW, and it will depend on the weather Sat & Sun. Today's forecast for the weekend is not auspicious, but things change.

Finally, we're hoping to introduce some labor-saving and (if I think I can afford the capitol outlay) some water saving systems this year. I've begun gathering clean cardboard to form heavy mulch between the rows. That should keep down the weeds. And I'd very much like to put in some kind of drip irrigation system. That would put the water on the vegetable plants and hamper weed growth: an impressive two-fer!