Scruffy's New Garden

I am excited on several levels. We found this site and forum to share our experience. We love it although our little garden may not be an appropriate fit. In the weeks prior having read many posts and followed several threads I have a much better understanding of “Square Foot Gardening”. I have learned much in the past few weeks from this cite and decided to join your group just a couple of days ago.




Secondly, and actually more importantly, we found this property in November of 2014. It was a cash deal but there were other interested buyers. Our bid was only slightly above what we felt to be a fair and reasonable price. We lost out on the bid. We were deeply saddened as this place was in the middle of Hell’s-half-acre, plenty of land and a concrete pad measuring 30’ x 44 where a previous structure once stood. I planned on building my shop (I am a retired General Contractor) and our outdoor kitchen on this slab. Alas, it was not to be. Back to Rural house hunting.

 



The slab was a bonus but what we were really looking for was a place far enough out in the country that the little gentle voice on anyone’s GPS system would stutter and admit to defeat regarding direct, round-about or a simple WAG in computing directions. We are True-Blue Red White and Blue but the closer you get to cities or towns the regulations compound by a factor of a gazillion or more. We are retired and just want to be free enough to enjoy the rest of our lives as we deem fit. We have had it with: “Do this, Don’t do that! Can’t you read the signs?”





Weeks later we were about to place a bid on some property located 6 miles down an old red clay road. The closest neighbor - six miles away sitting along side a paved road. Why they chose to endure the noise of a rumbling truck or car roaring by every two or three hours is beyond me. To each his own. Just joking. Actually this place was a little far off the beaten path than what we were looking for. Although not the perfect place, with only a minimal clearing around the structure, we could make this niche in the woods work. Truthfully, we were at the point of being desperate having been on the hunt for more than 4 months.

 



Our realtor received a call. The deal fell through on the previous property and it was ours if we wanted it. We closed and moved in on the 26^th of December. She who must be obeyed was overjoyed. Although disabled she wanted to see the every inch of our new place so Pee Wee, our youngest pup, got her loaded up on the trailer and took her, Paris and Powder Puff for an outing.




 



There were only two acres of cleared land. Actually, that is a lot considering it was only semi cleared. The back yard was chest high with weeds and thistle. Thick underbrush made it impossible to run a bush-hog so Pee Wee and I spent more than two months clearing the area, building pens (we have thirty dogs) and planning a chicken run.



The cleared land reveled rock hard soil that would not perk so Pee Wee and I brought in a couple of backhoes. 

Pee Wee positioned himself to square off the end.



 



We commenced to digging to loosen the soil, creating swells for run off and amending the dirt with top soil taken from the forest floor. Leaves, pine needles and undergrowth had accumulated for decades. It is thick and rich with a PH ranging from 6.8 to 7.5. We also found a sandy ridge in the woods so we were able to bring in lots of sand for the mix as well. The backhoes made a terrible mess of things so we had to hire a farmer ( I have no agriculture equipment) to come in to disc and harrow the clearing.





I will bring this to a close for now and continue in a day or two with up-dates. If any are interested in following our new adventure we would love sharing our stories and accepting any help offered. As you will learn, this venture was not really a well thought out plan.

 



Scruffy.

I'm glad you finally got the house you intended originally.
It looks like you got yourself a good start with bringing in good soil.  I hope it all works out for you both.....and the furbabies.

Thanks Quiltbea, 

I see I need to work on flipping the photos.  Any suggestions?  This is a learning experience for certain.  I am not much for computers; that's Brenda's department and she is resting now.  Perhaps I can get it fixed.

Scruffy.

That Pee Wee is one talented pup.

Kelejan wrote:That Pee Wee is one talented pup.

  Yes indeed!  I don't bend or get around as well as I used too.  With out Pee Wee the going would certainly be long and arduous.

Love your photos. PS I sent you a PM (private message). See blinking red light at the top of the page.

Goosegirl wrote:

scruffyfeathers wrote: We have had it with: “Do this, Don’t do that! Can’t you read the signs?”


 GG writes:  Well, now you have me singing this song!


 As you will learn, this venture was not really a well thought out plan.

 
 GG writes:  I have found that my most rewarding ventures have started this way!!!


Scruffy.

LOL, don't you just hate it when you can't get a ditty or song out of your head? Be forewarned, I am really notorious for slipping little things like that into my writings.



Note my avatar: it is a true testament as to how well I think things through before I put things into motion.

Scruffy, your  avatar cracked me up.

Kelejan wrote:Scruffy, your  avatar cracked me up.

Heh,heh.  Oddly enough I actually put a lot of thought into choosing it.

Are you kidding me???  This is so adorable I had to flip it so I could look at it some more! Thanks for posting it, Scruffy!


CC

CapeCoddess wrote:Are you kidding me???  This is so adorable I had to flip it so I could look at it some more!  Thanks for posting it, Scruffy!


CC

And thank you for flipping the pic.  I am new at this so I am just stumbling along.  Hopfully I will eventually get it right.

Thanks for letting us be part of your journey and posting pictures. Love the fur babies.

mschaef wrote:Thanks for letting us be part of your journey and posting pictures. Love the fur babies.

My pleasure.  I noticed I have been writing "ditties" more than posting actual accomplishments.  I am currently putting together a presentation of what we have actually accomplished.  This will take a few days but it is on its way.

Scruffy.

I reckon you have accomplished a fair bit, Scruffy.