A Start....

Kits · #11 Tuesday 7th July 2020, 09:59

Goodness you've done well, wader! It is looking really good and worth all the hard work. I've not see red wood mulch before - it looks great. I am envious of your log pile store!

wader2k · #12 Tuesday 7th July 2020, 15:13

Thank you Kits! Tilling the garden beds was not much fun.... but definitely worth it! My wife wasn't totally sold on the red wood mulch, but it works. This was a pretty big project for us, but you just gotta get started. We've been in this house for 7 years this summer and it was time!

Kits · #13 Tuesday 7th July 2020, 23:43

Did you have a rotavator to do the tilling or was it all with a spade? Either way it is really hard work, but so worth it.

wader2k · #14 Wednesday 8th July 2020, 01:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kits

Did you have a rotavator to do the tilling or was it all with a spade? Either way it is really hard work, but so worth it.

I tried to buy a good front or rear tine tiller ... must be your rotavator?!... but nobody had one. We ended up renting one for 3 hours from a local hardware store. This ground hadn't been tilled or dug up in over 30 years. It was definitely hard work but like you say...worth it for the results!

Kits · #15 Wednesday 8th July 2020, 12:51

Yes, a tiller would be the same as a rotavator. We had to hire one years ago (two houses ago) when we inherited a garden full of clay which had been neglected for years. I remember OH trying to dig it over and having to go to the big DIY place and hiring it for the day. It still took ages and was hard work, but not as bad as using a spade!

wader2k · #16 Wednesday 8th July 2020, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kits

Yes, a tiller would be the same as a rotavator. We had to hire one years ago (two houses ago) when we inherited a garden full of clay which had been neglected for years. I remember OH trying to dig it over and having to go to the big DIY place and hiring it for the day. It still took ages and was hard work, but not as bad as using a spade!

My first house was clay everywhere.. you couldn't dig that stuff to save your life! Didn't even try to do anything with it. The soil here is pretty good.. A little sandy but mostly good black dirt. My vegetables always do fairly well.

wader2k · #17 Tuesday 14th July 2020, 20:36

Just wanted to pop in and say we are really starting to lay in some plants and love how it's evolving!

So far we have some Wild Geranium, Russian Sage, Bee Balm, Lavender, Phlox, Catmint, Sedum, Marigolds, Butterfly Weed, Butterfly Bush, and other assorted items. I am absolutely thrilled!

Kits · #18 Wednesday 15th July 2020, 11:31

I am pleased to see how your garden is getting on, wader, and thank you for the update. It is looking really lovely. You've got a brilliant selection of plants which are great for wild life as well as being beautiful in their own right. Do keep us updated!