During this time of year, especially this year of record soul-melting heat, we focus on everything but new plants.  Most installation work happens from March through May, then September through November.  The dormant months of summer and winter are time for seasonal cleanup, regular maintenance, and planning and hardscape phases of installation projects.   Even native plants need regular water to survive, so planting new transplants in this heat is an extra stress on already vulnerable plants.  In winter, hard sudden freezes can kill even hardy new plants.  So spring and fall is the way to go.

This week, we finished installing a series of raised beds for Amy and Britton.  To keep costs in check, they built five boxes themselves, each 4’x8’, using 2”x12” cedar.  That type of lumber can only be found from a few local lumber providers, and cost is about $120/box.  But if built correctly, they can last 15 years or more.

RaisedBeds

We came in with the tiller to prep the area, disturbing only the top inch or so of soil to remove the native bunch grasses on the site.  We measured the area and placed the boxes equal distances apart, lined them up in a straight row, and now the Geometry Teachers Association of America is beating down the door to hold a conference on the site.

Once the boxes were set, we used picks to break up the top six inches of soil in each box, sort of the lazy man’s version of double digging.  Then we leveled the boxes, added 12 inches (a little over one cubic yard) of GeoGrower’s Double Thunder to each box, and topped with several inches of alfalfa hay.  Amy and Britton used free wood chippings delivered from Davey Tree Surgery, who was working in the area clearing tree branches from transmission lines, and mulched the area around the boxes to allow clean access for maintenance and help prevent soil compaction. 

Too excited to wait for rain, our newest family of backyard gardeners will be purchasing starter plants and seed this weekend.  They plan on installing rain barrels in the near future, along with a chicken coop for homegrown eggs and unforgettable memories for their toddler.  They also purchased native grass and wildflower seeds from Native American Seed in Junction for the area surrounding the garden, just off their back porch.  In the fall/winter, we’ll help plant a diversity of native trees throughout the landscape for screening.  Good luck guys!

Be Sociable, Share!