Sunday, April 4, 2010

Where the sweet peet went.

Imagine the only grass in the front yard is 6 foot wide paths winding around flower beds. This year Pat and I took a giant step towards that goal. Most of this load of sweet peet was used to create the new beds. It looked as if we could populate the beds with plants from the back yard. Some of the back yard beds are too full and needed thinning. While our son Jimmy and I were moving sweet peet, Pat was digging in the back yard. Next thing you knew the front yard beds were pretty much full. What's weird and cool at the same time is that you can't hardly tell where anything came from. Think of it, Pat and Jim are self sufficient in plant production, very cool. The next load of sweet peet is a couple weeks away because spring break ends Tuesday and I need to rest up.




What was left of the sweet peet went on the back yard berm. The grassy area at the bottom of the picture is the future home of our vegetable garden. Work on it will start after the back yard beds are worked on.

15 comments:

Teresa~ Gardening with Soule said...

You have been busy! I too have tons of clay in my soil. It's not easy to deal with sometimes but this is our third year and the beds we have made are finally seeming a bit better. I add peet and soil every year also. Your gardens will be wonderful I am sure. Looks like you are off to a great start.

Larry said...

I only add peat to a new bed, but do go through 75 yards of wood mulch each season. It's amazing what this has done for the soil over the years! Other things I add include llama beans and calf lot soil. The latter brings in a lot of weed seeds, but the nutrients are great! LC

Anonymous said...

Dear Jim, The finished effect is very much in evidence - something clearly to show for what must have been hours of work. I do think that you are right to enrich the soil constantly, something which too many gardeners tend to neglect.

Chandramouli S said...

Oh, so much work for your muscles! Good for you! Sounds exciting. Good luck with your ornamentals and vegetables! Happy Gardening!

Laurrie said...

I'm loving that front patio and the new front gardens. Nice design, and so much nicer than the flat vacant front yard we all have and never use!

debsgarden said...

Your new beds are looking great! I know it was a lot of work, but it is certainly paying off. i love your patio!

Lona said...

Wow you all have been busy. The beds look wonderful. I am glad you got it all spread. We never got any rain here just wind. I love the shape of the bed around your patio.

Tatyana@MySecretGarden said...

I love this idea - to have 6 foot wide paths winding around flower beds, but my husband loves a lawn and the kids like to play on the grass. I hope you can do it!

Gail said...

Perfect! It looks wonderful and you will both love the flowering beds and probably won't miss the lawn! gail

PhotoGirl said...

The yard looks good! I can't believe today is the last day of break :(

Jean Campbell said...

A giant leap in the direction of your goal! It moves so quickly when you have a digger in the back and a crew in the front, doesn't it?

Are your paths 6 feet wide to accomodate the mower, or for room for strolling together?

Shady Gardener said...

What a wonderful project! Everything looks wonderful. It will be fun to see what happens next. :-)

Christine B. said...

I have never regretted minimizing the quantity of turfgrass on my property. The only reason I kept any was "for the kids." That said, removing it certainly took a toll on my back. Stock up on the meds.

Christine in Alaska

The Idiot said...

It's getting there, Jim. Looking at the progress is making me feel very lazy!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Wow, look at all you've accomplished! It looks awesome, and to think you filled it with plants you divided from the back!

I plan to do a lot of moving things around this year, but also want to get more milkweed/butterfly weed plants, and will probably see something new I want to try. I also plan to do fewer pots this year. I was also thinking of throwing some seeds in some of my tubs.

I don't think peat is available in bulk like that where I live. I have gotten some in bags, though.

Thanks for your comments on my blog posts.