Well, I am sore and am heading to bed soon, but I thought I would update the status of the garden. I checked on the tomato plants and they are doing great, some even have blossoms coming on. The weather is great here in the desert, mid 70s for the highs and upper 40s for the lows, can’t beat that.
So, my father and I went to get the soil this morning and I got a bit too much, 4.5 yards of soil when I really only needed about 3, oh well, I guess I’ll dig some holes and plant a few fruit trees while I have the better stuff.
Here is a picture of the pile of soil with a partial wheelbarrow full.
Here is the front planter that I filled, you can see the new paper in the bottom, 3-4 layers. to help kill the weeds. It will be planted with wild flowers.
Here is a helper, she is really happy to be doing this with me, not!!! but then it helps if your very persuasive.
Here is a shot of the 2 4×8 beds in the back filled with soil they have been soaked with water, another watering will come before planting.
Here is the pile of soil after I have filled all three boxes, that is my job the next day is to move it from drive way to back yard. Another 1.5 yards approximately 40 cubic feet left to move.
After all this work I will say that I am happy, The soil is a mix of Compost, Peat Moss, Vermiculite, Volcanic Sand and some fertilizer, I will be amending it with other items such as worm castings, blood meal, dolomite lime, and other items as needed.
More work ahead, plants going in tomorrow, at least the ones that are big enough.
-- David, Mesa, AZ USA (USDA Hardiness Zone: 8b) http://www.allredsoutback.com
5 comments so far
MsDebbieP
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12193 posts in 1770 days
hardiness zone 5b
posted 97 days ago
back-breaking work but I am envious of project…. can’t wait to get out there in the gardens. Come on spring!!
(Way to go, to your assistant!)
-- - Debbie, SW Ontario Canada (USDA Hardiness Zone: 5a) http://www.execulink.com/~yohan
oldretiredjim
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29 posts in 150 days
posted 97 days ago
Not fair to be talking tomatoes in early February. Your work will pay off later in spades. Like the big cactus in the front yard.
justjoel
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664 posts in 1150 days
hardiness zone 7a
posted 96 days ago
Beautiful raised beds! I lived in Scottsdale for about 8 years, 15 years ago, but in a townhouse so didn’t have room like this, and wasn’t yet a gardener. And I echo Jim’s complaint about talking about tomatoes in February – you’ll be getting a lot of jealous comments I suspect.
-- There's a box?
DrAllred
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11 posts in 622 days
hardiness zone 8b
posted 96 days ago
With our average last frost date of 2/15 and with the warm weather we have been having for the last month, I should have had the tomatoes planted 1 month ago. right now the plants are about 4-6” tall and starting to get first blooms, I will be getting those planted in the next day or two.
-- David, Mesa, AZ USA (USDA Hardiness Zone: 8b) http://www.allredsoutback.com
justjoel
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664 posts in 1150 days
hardiness zone 7a
posted 96 days ago
Just gotta rub it in, don’t ya. :-)
And I assume, given your region, you’ll be planting peppers, yes?
-- There's a box?