osprey94's Blog

raised beds...FINALLY!
May 26, 2007 | 9:15 PM PST
Tags: raised beds , chipping , claybusters

This morning when I woke up, I decided that if I didn't get these veggie garden beds built today, I'd never get to them. On Friday, I had a huge load of what the local landscaping materials co. calls "claybuster". Apparently, it's a combo of compost, chicken manure, sand, and something else. Maybe some topsoil. Anyway, it's supposed to improve clay soil. D and I went into the woods, cut up 3 good-sized fallen douglas firs and loaded them into the truck (fortunately they fell near the road, so it was easy to cart them to the truck). Then, we constructed the boxes, loosened the soil inside them and mixed in the claybuster stuff (which D and I call "black gold"). That stuff was HOT! I put my gloved hands on top of it and they were uncomfortable after only 10 seconds or so! I'm pretty sure I killed all the earthworms in all of that soil!  So...tomorrow I will plant them: greens, marigolds, carrots, onions. Then, beans, cucs and tomatoes on the fence to climb up.

Oh, I forgot, more chipping today! We loaded up the pickup with nice long fallen small trees and set the chipper up right near the garden fence, shooting the chips into the garden. This whole project took us all day. Ive gathered a few more bruises and by the end of the day, I was DONE. Irritable, covered in a fine douglas fir dust and "black gold", smelling like manure and hungry as all get out. But I'm done. If only I had a good camera, I'd post some pics of the results. I only constructed 3 4'X4' beds. I have enough logs for 4, but, I'll make that one later, as needed.

I'm so proud. And tired.