beyond the hedgerow

Last week afforded some rain-free moments to busy ourselves re-envisioning the hedgerow at the property's northern limit. Occupying the space were a collection of uninspired perennials planted at the time of the houses' construction, so there was no love lost when it came time to chop 'em down and remove the majority of the roots. And surely our suburban plot transforms into an edible forest garden. To replace the perennials: two suckers from our established Italian prune (plum) tree, two sea buckthorns (male and female; both required for pollination), which are nitrogen-fixing and fruit producing shrubs, and a goji plant. Also planted (in the yard): an orcas pear tree (dwarf), which will facilitate cross pollination with the comice pear planted last season.

rain garden phase 3 & 4

Today marks the near completion of the rain garden. Several days ago the soil mix (compost, existing soil, sand) was back-filled and stirred to an even consistency (as a shovel will allow). Then...planted! Following the instructions provided by our (very) official rain garden literature, different species were located according to their tolerance for standing water in one of three 'zones' determined by varying depths within the garden. Emergents (those plants most tolerant) are planted in zone 1, where water will occasionally pond in times of heavy rainfall. Those less tolerant are planted along the fringes and other, slightly higher levels. Rocks salvaged from excavation are placed at the inflow (where run-off originates in the garden) and outflow (where water is directed). Wood chip mulch is spread to prevent the inflows' potentially erosive effects. All that remains to do is trim the inflow pipe and wait for a substantial rain to determine if everything works as designed.

sun window

Amid sprinkles and sunbreaks, Stephanie and I got the first starts in the ground this afternoon. Earlier in the day I dropped off a 1/2 yard of compost on the plot (now measuring 9'x9'). The roto-tiller was put to use to mix the existing soil with the compost, after which an amendment cocktail of gypsum, limestone, phosphate and greensand was broadcast and then tilled in. Steph rakes the mixed soil to level it out before planting.

A couple of salvaged herb plants (thyme and red sage) fill the north corner, while an assortment of greens (mizuna, oak leaf lettuce, Amish deer tongue lettuce, Bibb lettuce), red cabbage,

lacinato kale and borage line the southern side of the garden. Excavated rocks provide a stepping stone, and more bricks and other stones will flesh out the rest. Tomorrows' weather being amicable as forecasted will allow us to plant more greens and begin planning for raspberry canes (to line the fence) and what to do with so many strawberries.

rain garden phase 1 & 2

Downspouts and run-off management. Not the likeliest source for innovative and ecologically sound pollution control. Or are they? Well, yeah. Most urban environments deal with storm water surges brought on by heavy rains in much the same way: drainage pipes are laid around the foundation footings to collect run-off from the roof and subsequently fed to larger pipes which ultimately drain into larger bodies of water (rivers, the ocean, or in our case The Puget Sound). Along the way that water accumulates spilled motor oil, pesticide and herbicide residues and deposits these pollutants where they poison and otherwise damage fragile marine ecosystems. What is all this getting at, you might be wondering? Enter the rain garden.

Rain gardens are beautifully planted storm water management systems that supersede the common practice of keeping that water out-of-sight-out-of-mind and utilize the resource to nurture native plants. Downspouts are channeled to a designated area that has been excavated to a size and depth calculated by the volume of water falling on the roof and the drainage capacity of the soil. A mix of sand, compost and original soil are filled into the hole, leaving an area for ponding in times of excessive rainfall, and plants situated to be adapted to the different 'zones' of relative saturation when the rain garden is actively filtering water. Rather than all that precipitation flowing directly into the nearest body of water and carrying with it all the attendant pollution, it percolates through the garden and provides an aesthetically pleasing landscape feature.

Ours is well under way: the pipe located, trench and hole dug, and berm built at the garden's outflow. Phase 1: planning, involved determining the site of the garden (at least 10 feet from the foundation) as well as the size. Phase 2: digging. The next phase will involve the mixing of the soil to be filled in the hole and the planting of adapted species. Finally we'll be ready for the rain.

sod off

Yesterday saw the breaking of ground at a friend's new grow space. Tree limbs were removed, stakes pounded, lines strung and, my favorite, sod peeled from the ground. Certainly not a science, but perhaps an applied art. Nah. Let's stick to referring to it what it is, grunt work. Not that this peasant-stock minds much. As I suspected, tree roots run rampant but a few inches below ground. A borrowed roto-tiller will prove a welcome solution. And what to do with so much sod? A question that will be asked many times in the near future, to be sure. For the moment, stack it high and wait until the answer divines itself. Next: roto-till, amend with compost and topsoil, plant!

roll of the dice

Awoke this morning to the sound of rain pattering on the asphalt shingles. At least it sounded like rain. In fact it was a wet mix of slush and rain that closely resembled snow but wasn't. So much for rolling the dice and underestimating mother nature's furious fickleness. Will have to wait and see what the day brings, but at least the precipitation's done with (for now) and the soupy, iced manifestation of an anxious gardener's worst early-spring nightmare will soon vanish. Hopefully, anyway. The ground did not freeze, and with temps hovering well above 32 F there is reason to be optimistic that all is not lost. There are extra seedlings to fill in the ranks, besides. Though it's much too soon to gauge whether the seedlings planted yesterday will tolerate this affront on their vigor so early in life, they have a genetic predisposition for cold-hardiness on their side. God speed little ones.

taking shape

Flying in the face of the weather reports' call for MORE rain, some seeds and seedlings were planted, invasive ivies removed, and backs bent to soreness. The day required sunglasses more than rain jackets. Our new garden space has been partially planted to herbs and cool weather greens, and seeds sown of pea, beets, turnips, radish and rutabaga.Salvaged bricks, concrete steps, stones found while roto-tilling, and a single round leftover from cutting firewood form the steps to navigate the bed without actually stepping on the ground. Additionally they imbue the plot with some much desired design elements and make use of otherwise idle resources. Plenty of room for food; room enough to impart visual (and functional) interest. We'll roll the dice on the weather tomorrow and hope to plant more greens.