Backyard Revitalization

So it's been a while since I updated, what can I say I've been doing shit. One thing I haven't been doing until last week was my backyard remodel. Motivation to dig dirt is very difficult when it's 90 degrees at 6am.

Since last time, I've completely removed all the gravel and stones that you can see in the previous pics, removed all the plants that didn't make this summer's onslaught (the vast majority, I'm sorry to report) and started digging up the dirt so that I can keep the level of the existing patio the same as the new patio. I have learned my lesson, to a certain extent, since I did this the first time. Rather than having someone remove the dirt for me (waste collection service), because the amount will be so much smaller this time I'm putting the excess into my raised bed garden.

I like this idea for two reasons, one: the cost of having someone haul away dirt is unbelievable but it's heavy so I guess I understand, and two: I think putting the native soil into my artificially loamy store bought soil will be just the connection the garden needed to excel. Obviously, the store bought soil was the right consistency and mixture of woody mulch and compost, but it lacked the i don't know what to make it a really effective growing vessel. I think mixing one part native to 3 parts store bought will connect the mixture to the roots of this place so that the plants will instinctively know they have all the tools they need to grow. I admit, this is part positive intention and part woo-woo spirituality, but I think there's scientific merit to having a component of native soil help plants connect to the greater ecosystem in which they are being asked to grow... maybe this is why I'm not a scientist by profession?!

I have about 3-4 more wheel barrows of dirt left to move before I can think about laying pavers down. The nice thing is, not really nice more convenient in this case, virtually all my plants died over the summer so I have the raised bed almost completely clear except for a few okra plants that are dead but aren't producing either, the creosote (duh) and the pomegranate, which looks healthier than it ever has and has tons of fruits that are ripening - go figure. So all I'm doing is filling the wheel barrow with dirt, shoveling it into the raised bed and then raking the native dirt into the existing dirt of the raised bed. This addition is having the added benefit of raising the level of the dirt in my raised bed, which has decomposed about 6" or so since I put in the original dirt in the spring of '06. Once all the dirt is in, I'll buy some additional compost to stir in and I think this mix will be plant nirvana.

More to come about our seed/plant choices for this falls planting season...