Making Progress!

I'm making progress! As a true Pacific-Northwesterner, I did not let the intermittent rain showers these past few days hold me back. All four beds are now weeded and looking so much better! Abby gets to go over and patrol the yard while I garden. Brett comes with me when he can. There is some evidence of mole activity and Abby is VERY interested in the mounds they leave behind. One particular bed held her interest so much, that she just stood there, staring at the ground cocking her head back and forth. Is it possible she hears and/or smells some critter below ground plotting against my efforts? So far, all that has gone in the ground are some summer bulbs (glads, lilies), carrots, radishes, and a couple lavender plants. But there is much more to come!!


















Abby helping Brett with the weeds.















The rhubarb making a strong comeback!




















The front of the John Tigard house.

Yay For Gardens!!

I am so excited!! About a five minute walk from my apartment is a historical house that belonged to the founder of my town, John Tigard. I have a connection on the Tigard Historical Association committee and through her, I was put in touch with the director of said committee. I am now the proud foster mother of four garden plots in the John Tigard House backyard!!! After years of container gardening, I am over the moon ecstatic about having actual ground to play around in. It is so difficult to get a community garden plot around here. I've been on the waiting lists for a couple years now - to just have four plots handed to me is such a blessing. They're providing me my water and aren't even charging me a rental fee. THA is just happy to have them put to use and looking good. Last year, the gardens were maintained by a local private school group, but for whatever reason they're not tending them this year. There are eight plots total and Mary was willing to give them all to me. I know my limits, though, and didn't want to get overwhelmed so just took the four. But I did tell her that if she can't find someone to take the others, I'd figure out some way to handle them. It's in my garden's best interest that there aren't beds of weeds adjacent.

Each of my beds is a different size but together they equal ~225 square feet of sweet dirty goodness. The first order of business is pulling weeds and preparing the beds. Then I get to decide what I'm planting!! I'll definitely be doing the usual tomatoes, peppers, carrots, radishes, beans, and onions. With all that space, though, I can really try some new things. There is some established rhubarb that Mary asked I leave be.

Now I need to buy some real tools and really learn composting as there's a composting bin for me to use. Did I mention how excited I am? If I could do a cartwheel, you bet I'd be doing them all over the house.

Here's a before picture of my plots. As you can see, there is a LOT of work to be done. Even the paths between the beds need some attention (i.e. weeding). I can't wait to get started! Let's hope the growing season is better this year than last. You got weeds, I'll pull 'em. You got slugs, I'll kill 'em. You got seeds, I'll grow 'em. So happy!