7


27 February 2005--PM
 
Work Progress This Week:
A. Fence posts placed
1. Bottom, top and mid rails partially installed
B. Fence and Gate design finalized
Weekend Work:
A. Garden Re-tilled with a borrowed Mantis:
1. http://mantisgardentools.com/tiller.asp
2. I have never used one of these before, but I am completely amazed at how it helped "fluff up" the soil, even though it is full of remaining sticks, rocks and chunks of clay and manure.  I am definitely putting this on my wish list!
B. Herbs moved from front yard "herb bed"
1. The relocation of the herbs from what was a damp and shady place should benefit these plants tremendously.
2. Many of the herbs are gangly and woody and will have to be replaced with fresh materials soon, but as we are currently using them and are trying to conserve money will will be keeping these plants until we can switch them out to fresher, healthier stock.
3. Herbs moved:
a. 5 Rosemarys
b. Several Mints
c. Lovage
d. 4 Oregano clusters
e. 3 Marjoram clumps
f. 5 Chives
g. 8 Woody Thymes
h. 1 Large Sage Bush
i. 1 Large Bronze Fennel
j. 6 Salad Burnetts
k. 8 Lemon Balm clusters
l. 4 Provencal Lavenders
C. At our daughter's request we placed a bird bath in the center of the herb beds.
D. At the far, Western edge of the garden I began to repair a rock wall. Such as it is, this will hopefully become a heat sink. We are planning to place tomatoes along the front edge of this wall. We are also looking to place Nasturtiums, or something along the top edge.
E. Ordered Hops for planting along the fence.
1. http://www.hopsdirect.com/hops/
2. I had great difficulty locating rhizomes for the hop plants.  Washington will not allow hop plants to cross its boarders in an effort to control disease. I had to buy these plants from an in-state supplier, so my selection was limited. I could have bought mature hop plants in gallon buckets, but the price was triple the cost of buying the root-stock, or rhizome, and not as versatile.
a. Ordered 2 plants each of 3 types:
(1) Willamette
(2) Cascade
(3) Nugget
b. These were selected based on their properties for Beer Making, as much as decoration.
F. Wild Black Cherry Withies
1. Working by the Compost Bins we have faced them with a small, informal hurdle of withes for some freshly planted Sweet Peas to climb.
2. http://www.hazelwattle.com/hazelhurdles.html
G. Work on Gate to begin soon