Laurel's Garden: Grey Haze

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Grey Haze

The days remain short, the skies cloudy, and it is foggy. The ground is covered in a thick blanket of now old snow and the fog has left a coat of frost on everything.

It is a grey haze. No color. No contrast. No brightness. Just grey.

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The Plot

The top 9 inches:

-imported topsoil
The next 3 inches:
-densely packed gravel
The next 2 plus feet:
-densely packed, sandy soil
-the foundation of a home

Soil tested 5/08 and 4/11
-Organic Matter 13.5% (high)
-Soluble Salts 0.8 (satisfactory)
-pH 7.5 (a bit alkaline)
-Phosphorus 50+ (very high)
-Potassium 300+ (very high)

2007

-Ground broken fall 2007.

2008

-I started gardening here in spring 2008.

-Added chicken manure, peat, and trace minerals.

-Hand-tilled soil to loosen hard packed gravel.

-Very few bugs, no worms or grubs.

2009

-Added horse manure in early spring and earthworms from a friend's garden.

-Hand-tilled soil in back half of garden.

-Water creates pools in areas.

-Some bees and butterflies. Occasional worms and grubs.

2010

-Fertilized with fish emulsion and blood meal.

-Slug problem, squash beetles emerge.

-Water still pools, runs off raised beds into path.

-Many butterflies, bees, and other insects.

2011

-Birds, insects, worms and grubs are abundant.

-Slugs and squash beetles are better this year.

-Soil re-tested. Nearly identical results as 5/08.

-Drainage better. Less hard-packed soil below.