Before shots:
During
I came back from lunch having thought through the whole lowering the drainage separator thing, which, well genius, has a few issues:
--More space for dirt means you need more dirt. After doing the first eight boxes this way, I realized there was absolutely no way I'd have enough dirt if I continued with the current plan.
--It takes a lot of time. And knuckle skin. I tend to hate using gloves due to the loss in tactile sensation...but the numbness that comes with picking up #7-#34 grade sharp pea gravel makes up for it, I suppose. I only cut myself once, but my hands are so dry they feel like paper! Anyways, some of these planters aren't in the best of shape...if I had the money, I would have rebuilt some of them that are completely off-kilter, fixed the entire system by which they're built, and cleaned out all the gravel from each of them prior to use, found the right size of concrete blocks to use, had the same amount of pea gravel in each one, etc... But let's be serious...that would have A, taken forever and B, gone far beyond the skill/brawn/workmanship I currently have. And honestly---while I can say that I think the plants in the more dirt planters will do better, I don't really know. Maybe they won't. But now I have a control set with which to compare my garden as it grows for next year. I still have an entire half of the Penthouse planters which are empty, and maybe it'll be something where I go for the whole shebang next year. I don't know yet. But for now, I cut my losses and went forward with planting.
After
[The corner that looks towards Boston]
[A powerpoint map! And I figure I can make a new copied slide each week to report on the happenings of the garden to plan for next year]
[Tomatos]
[Rosemary]
[Chocolate Mint]
[Sage]
[Oregano]
[Basil]
[Spearmint]
[Thyme]
[Parsley]
[Peppermint]
[Cilantro]
[Looking toward the west side]
[Looking towards Fenway...the bright white things on the left side of the picture across the river are the lights that are on for night games]
[Sunset looking towards Cambridgeport]
[Proud]
--More space for dirt means you need more dirt. After doing the first eight boxes this way, I realized there was absolutely no way I'd have enough dirt if I continued with the current plan.
--It takes a lot of time. And knuckle skin. I tend to hate using gloves due to the loss in tactile sensation...but the numbness that comes with picking up #7-#34 grade sharp pea gravel makes up for it, I suppose. I only cut myself once, but my hands are so dry they feel like paper! Anyways, some of these planters aren't in the best of shape...if I had the money, I would have rebuilt some of them that are completely off-kilter, fixed the entire system by which they're built, and cleaned out all the gravel from each of them prior to use, found the right size of concrete blocks to use, had the same amount of pea gravel in each one, etc... But let's be serious...that would have A, taken forever and B, gone far beyond the skill/brawn/workmanship I currently have. And honestly---while I can say that I think the plants in the more dirt planters will do better, I don't really know. Maybe they won't. But now I have a control set with which to compare my garden as it grows for next year. I still have an entire half of the Penthouse planters which are empty, and maybe it'll be something where I go for the whole shebang next year. I don't know yet. But for now, I cut my losses and went forward with planting.
After
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DOkpXZbfy7Tn77CuAyQuHusuFqOZuaDad5Mx3rw-4N4xNQZ_-1oT0VmN0oVfzUj24p8uiv8P0bMuFjNO5-u1JvdLA02s3johrTccRYzQ_C2Sw4Vv8-Ie5NrPQ0Jn48jKC23J5W9XDyo/s320/Screen+shot+2010-05-29+at+11.58.27+PM.png)
Also---I've never been so excited to see a bumblebee on a flower before. It came to visit my flowers while I was working! I could hardly contain myself...if someone would have seen me, oy.
8 comments:
Wow! What a project! Didn't know you had such nice digs with a view.
Looks like you are planning a great deal of herb pesto!
Heidi and Grant
So cool!!
I am impressed! Keep us updated!
Amazing work Bridget! ;)
That's so cool. I'm actually moving out of the house that I currently live in into an apartment. I've been looking at Ebay to find vendors for herbs and veggies. I want perilla, upland cress, and nasturtium in addition to the usual ones.
Nurm
It looks wonderful! You should be so proud. I'm sure that everything will grow up big and strong and make for many delicious meals. What a gorgeous space! Well done!
Thanks, everyone! I'm really excited to see my garden grow, and then to excite my students with lots of fun recipes in the fall...I have a great mint chocolate tart I'd like to make with my $135.34 in tart pans, as well as lots of different kinds of pesto. One of my favorite kinds of pesto is uses ground walnuts, honey, mint, and a bit of cocoa powder...so delicious!
that's AWESOME Bridget! I'm so proud of you for doing all of that! I can't wait to see pictures of the first thing you make with all your fresh homegrown herbs! :)
Post a Comment