Friday, April 16, 2010

The fence is complete!







As promised, this entry shows our completed fence. I also need to say I have changed my perception of chain link fencing. I am completely serious when I say putting it up was somewhat of an art form. I definitely have a special appreciation for every chain link fence I pass. When I was doing some internet research on dismantling chain link fencing, there was a comment about people in the Midwest standing around with beer coozies admiring their new cyclone fence. It's true...and I totally understand why. This fence was difficult to put up, and so rewarding when finally done. Again, a special thanks to our fence building team and Paul for tirelessly helping us and coaching us. We are now ready to begin planting in the garden we have spent all winter planning and I can not wait. The one vegetable we don't have to fence in has begun growing, and I think we are going to enjoy our first three asparagus spears in a wonderful spring salad. We are also going to try a newfound delicacy...stinging nettles. I hear they have medicinal properties, lose their sting once cooked, and make a wonderful soup. I will let you know how it goes, as long as I am still able to type seeing as my fingers may be blistered from the nettles. (No need to worry, I will wear gloves) Now if you'll excuse me, I have a coozie to grab and a fence to admire.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

It's Fence Time!




As promised, the new post shows our fence. Not in its entirety, but progress is being made. Luckily, we have the lower garden all planted and the shoots are starting to come up. We are "lasagna gardening" which means we are layering cardboard bike boxes (thanks to our new friends at Xtreme Wheels ) and straw to help with weed control. I also just learned that as the cardboard decays, the fungus produces a sugar that feeds the earthworms....yeah for multitasking. We are now trying to decide whether to take the chance and plant some seeds before the fence is completely up. We do have memories of turkeys walking down the rows of newly planted soybeans and eating them out of the ground. But we may take our chances with beets and lettuce. I am going to be eternally optimistic and say that our next post will show our new fence completely up. A special thanks to our fence building team and a special shout out to my papa, who never ceases to amaze me.