witt's Blog
witt's Blog
May 23 Digging Fool
May 23, 2008 | 3:03 AM PST
Ah, my summer perfume. I didn't forget the OFF! this time as I prepared to do battle in The Poison Garden. I didn't want ticks, skeeters, chiggers, or any little bite-y things to get me. I got out there early because it gets so hot in that Sahara that you can see the mirages among the sage. I was ready to dig to China to plant my lavender. Surprisingly, it was very easy to dig. I had already cleaned up that area earlier, so the worst part was over. I got it planted and watered in with collected rainwater. Hubby and Son were planting the new tomatoes. I could see that neither were doing it correctly, of course, so I had to put in my two-cents worth. They left to go eat Chinese, mail a package for me, (I sold two books!) and pick up some pine straw. Since planting the lavender didn't take too long, my mind raced for somewhere else to dig. I was prepared and wanted to release that energy. I figured that if a cutting would root in a pot, why wouldn't it root in place? I wanted to try cuttings of serissa on the edge of the woods. I found a spot and started digging. What is this? It, too, was relatively easy to dig. John thought me foolhardy to try to dig in the woods, but it wasn't that difficult. I added compost, took about five clippings, and planted them. After I strawed the area well, I watered them in with the last of the rainwater. Then I worked on the fig bush at the inukshuk. She ought to grow after some fresh compost and plenty of mulch. Done with all that and here I stood, tough Fiskars trowel in hand, still not satisfied with my digging mood. Where else could I put some serissa? I decided that the second natural area would be perfect, but I KNOW that it is nothing but hard clay. Would you believe that it wasn't difficult either? I did the same process as before. I guess the mole activity had loosened it up a bit. When I got the straw back into place, I looked over at the pink spirea. One was about a foot tall, ready to bloom and the other one right beside it was about an inch. I dug around and sure as shooting, there was a hole underneath--toady-froggy or mole. It didn't matter, there was an air pocket. I jooged around gently with my trowel and mixed in more compost. Now those babies ought to take off! Time for a break! My digging bent was sated. Later I went out to see what I could do with the bare spots in the backyard, which are now sans clover-weed. Dynamite, anyone? I did find a toady tunnel that ran about ten feet. I collapsed it with great effort. I will go out today, rough up the soil as best I can, add compost and hope that the zoysia grows into it. So far the OFF! was working wonderfully, so I ventured out in late afternoon, toting my watering can all around and refreshed my new plantings. With all those high winds, the little bit of rain that we got had already gone, but nary a skeeter got me. Wow. I even did some de-grassing and didn't get eaten up. What a satisfying day it was.
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May 23, 2008 | 3:03 AM PST
Ah, my summer perfume. I didn't forget the OFF! this time as I prepared to do battle in The Poison Garden. I didn't want ticks, skeeters, chiggers, or any little bite-y things to get me. I got out there early because it gets so hot in that Sahara that you can see the mirages among the sage. I was ready to dig to China to plant my lavender. Surprisingly, it was very easy to dig. I had already cleaned up that area earlier, so the worst part was over. I got it planted and watered in with collected rainwater. Hubby and Son were planting the new tomatoes. I could see that neither were doing it correctly, of course, so I had to put in my two-cents worth. They left to go eat Chinese, mail a package for me, (I sold two books!) and pick up some pine straw. Since planting the lavender didn't take too long, my mind raced for somewhere else to dig. I was prepared and wanted to release that energy. I figured that if a cutting would root in a pot, why wouldn't it root in place? I wanted to try cuttings of serissa on the edge of the woods. I found a spot and started digging. What is this? It, too, was relatively easy to dig. John thought me foolhardy to try to dig in the woods, but it wasn't that difficult. I added compost, took about five clippings, and planted them. After I strawed the area well, I watered them in with the last of the rainwater. Then I worked on the fig bush at the inukshuk. She ought to grow after some fresh compost and plenty of mulch. Done with all that and here I stood, tough Fiskars trowel in hand, still not satisfied with my digging mood. Where else could I put some serissa? I decided that the second natural area would be perfect, but I KNOW that it is nothing but hard clay. Would you believe that it wasn't difficult either? I did the same process as before. I guess the mole activity had loosened it up a bit. When I got the straw back into place, I looked over at the pink spirea. One was about a foot tall, ready to bloom and the other one right beside it was about an inch. I dug around and sure as shooting, there was a hole underneath--toady-froggy or mole. It didn't matter, there was an air pocket. I jooged around gently with my trowel and mixed in more compost. Now those babies ought to take off! Time for a break! My digging bent was sated. Later I went out to see what I could do with the bare spots in the backyard, which are now sans clover-weed. Dynamite, anyone? I did find a toady tunnel that ran about ten feet. I collapsed it with great effort. I will go out today, rough up the soil as best I can, add compost and hope that the zoysia grows into it. So far the OFF! was working wonderfully, so I ventured out in late afternoon, toting my watering can all around and refreshed my new plantings. With all those high winds, the little bit of rain that we got had already gone, but nary a skeeter got me. Wow. I even did some de-grassing and didn't get eaten up. What a satisfying day it was.
2 Member Comments
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May 23, 2008 | 4:55 AM PST
You sure had a busy day, Witt! Glad to see the Off works for you-Down here it takes off, and yard spray AND citronella candles! |
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May 23, 2008 | 7:35 AM PST
What a treat, to be able to dig a hole without trouble! I think that is something only a gardener would understand. |
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