My Summer Project (instead of observing)
After the snow left this spring and with a prolonged dry June my back yard turned into a disaster. My wife and I started by selling our chain link dog cage and clearing out old junk and firewood and planned this little project to fill in time as it is too light to observe at night and the sun has been very quiet.
A blank slate to write on.
With the north end cleared and leveled, we planted a Ninebark tree and two mugo pines.
Then landscape fabric was installed..double thickness and red decorative shale/brick/tephra mix applied.
A raised bed vegetable garden space was constructed with appropriate measures to keep the golden retreivers at bay from utilizing the garden as a playground and bed. Landscape cloth was then applied after cleaning and leveling and fine crush grey granite applied for the walks.
This was continued to within 3 feet of the patio leaving a grass area for doggie bathroom. The patio has more than enough area to set up my 12" dobsonian and computer table, or my solar observing setup.
A few other shrubs, Viburnam (American Cranberry) and Cornus (dogwood) were used to fill in along the west fence area to augment the ivy already growing up the fence. Black soil was added and mixed by hand for now, I will till it in the fall and add more soil, as it is we have lettuce, some herbs, and cucumbers growing this year and next year...potatoes, root vegetables, lettuce, parsnips and starting asparagus.
The backyard appearance now complements the front yard for an overall pleasing environment.
The boys are adapting to their changing environment.
Spring 2010:
The Mugo Pines didn't make it through the winter but everything is growing surprisingly well.
Summer 2010:
We have been eating the produce from the garden most of the summer and it is very good,I am increasing the strawberries because they are so good. The Asparagus has grown well for the 1st year and will give us future crops, and we are on our second crop of lettuce.
Summer 2011:
After a hard winter with much snow and buckets of rain with cool nights, we are off again this year.
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