Well, I have been harping a long time now about not making any new beds. Well, today it was finally in the 70's and partly cloudy......soooo I started out just extending an existing bed about 10 feet, and then I just made another bed next to it about 40 feet long! I don't plan to fill it all up this year. I think I'll cover it with plastic until I get ready to plant it next year. I'm moving many of the older plants from near the house, so that I can plant my Ghio order there. It felt so good to be able to work in the dirt, and not feel like I was going to succumb to the heat. I just couldn't stop myself.... I'll maybe regret that!

"and so it goes"

Tom....I would add lots of organic material to your unused bed this fall and also some fertilizer and let it break down during the winter. I did that with an unused bed one winter and was very pleased with the results.

Tom!

Along with Paul's advice If you can get some straw and cover it, next spring it will be awesome. Do the earthworms ever love that stuff.

Let's see, 27 horses, would I have any compost around??? or Straw for that matter???

Hmmm, I think maybe, LOL.

Oh boy, Tom -- do you have compost around!! We're drowning in the stuff, and only have three horses!!!

There used to be a stable in my area that boarded horses. They had wood shavings in the stalls and I think they fed pellets. They would stack the manure and let it compost turning it several times. The result was wonderful stuff. I wish I had a large pile of it now.

What a gold mine. The "overwinter" compost really makes a difference anywhere you spread it. I spread composted leaves and was gratified with the results.

I use wood shavings as well. I have some that's 4 years old. Boy is that great stuff. I have a couple of area landscapers who come and get it by the truck loads. Also many local gardeners who come and get a few bags. I just give it away, as I have too much.
Paul, bring a semi trailor, and I'll fill it for you! Better yet, come and buy a horse or two, and you'll have your own supply!

I was just thinking -- too bad you're not a neighbor, Paul -- I have tons of the stuff!

Well I went to Breezway Iris Garden's sale today, and made it out of there with only 5. I got Around We Go - Rogers, Invitaion Only - Christopherson, Sunny Lynn - Worley, Wonders Never Cease - Black, and Perisian Dawn - Keppel. (I had this one, but lost it, so got it again)

Tom! Couldn't you do better than that! You have a nice new large area to cover.

I just take a deep breath and keep repeating the 10 steps.

LOL!!!!

10 step program?

I know I screw up the 10 steps all the time. AOL

D

Speaking of new large area, thought I'd share a pic of it.

The irises there were mostlly planted last year, with a few planted this year. I'll make a new row between the existing row, and the veggie garden. I wonder if it's ok to put down preen before planting the iris, or should I let them get a start first, This is the first year I've used it.

my aching back,but it will be a show stopper when its in bloom.What a neat bed.

What a beautiful bed, Tom. You are some kinda gardener my friend -- your vegetable garden is gorgeous!!!