tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post220208666663900447..comments2024-03-28T13:31:17.000-07:00Comments on Chickadee Gardens: Making A New Garden: History and Soil Chickadee Gardenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-34486713955506778162016-01-30T08:53:11.134-08:002016-01-30T08:53:11.134-08:00Oy...not another expense! But you're probably ...Oy...not another expense! But you're probably right. Good thing our neighbor has one :) Thanks for the compliments, Gina - it means a lot coming from a Garden Goddess like you! Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-39988444105237830322016-01-30T08:52:22.230-08:002016-01-30T08:52:22.230-08:00I listen to you, Kris-of-the-FABULOUS-Dreamworthy-...I listen to you, Kris-of-the-FABULOUS-Dreamworthy-Garden. Thanks for your encouragement. I'm glad some people out there can appreciate the brute force it takes to schlep dirt up a hill. Sheesh. No respect (except from fellow gardeners!!)...I tell ya'. <br /><br />Pacing myself now with a cup of coffee and watching the husband through the window chop blackberry. Now that's how to garden :) Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-52608374892427568162016-01-30T08:49:40.307-08:002016-01-30T08:49:40.307-08:00Whoa, Nellie it is a huge change. From the old 50 ...Whoa, Nellie it is a huge change. From the old 50 x 100' lot in urban Portland to 2.07 acres is WOW...a lot to take in. <br /><br />Glad to know you had good results via sheet mulching. Leaves are a dream, aren't they? I'll keep everyone posted on the progress of the new Chickadee Gardens...stay tuned, changes may be slow but they're coming!Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-48591436221240994832016-01-30T08:48:11.061-08:002016-01-30T08:48:11.061-08:00Oh, cool! Of course you are...you're the scien...Oh, cool! Of course you are...you're the science geeky kid that I admire. Yes, it's true about top soil. It also gets compacted in construction, so it's often a huge challenge for the home gardener to make great soil. It's evident by just walking in the woods how nature can take care of things - that is to say the soil is rich and fluffy and provides all the plants need to survive through recycling. If you have deciduous trees to provide leaf litter that's a huge help. <br /><br />Glad you like Gaia's Garden, Gina recommended it and I really enjoyed the read. Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-8458850615810604542016-01-30T08:45:47.532-08:002016-01-30T08:45:47.532-08:00Thanks, Alison! Ok, manure...I just checked on Cra...Thanks, Alison! Ok, manure...I just checked on Craigslist and there are a few options. I think a drive around the area might yield some more opportunities to procure good poop. Cardboard boxes?? Well, thank you - I don't see getting to Tacoma any time soon....if they're still around this summer, though... :) Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-1412805654933702582016-01-30T08:44:24.571-08:002016-01-30T08:44:24.571-08:00Hi Shirley, thanks for reading and commenting. It ...Hi Shirley, thanks for reading and commenting. It is a lot of work but will be worth it in the long run. The olives do add a lot, I've seen some larger ones in urban gardens and they make a lovely airy screen, I got the idea from J.J. DeSouza's garden, she's the owner of Digs Inside and Out and is a garden designer. Wonderful garden to see in person if you're in Portland, or google it...a few of us have done blog posts about her. Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-20461761318947665982016-01-30T08:42:31.656-08:002016-01-30T08:42:31.656-08:00Yay! So glad you were able to come out. You know I...Yay! So glad you were able to come out. You know I had the same experience seeing your garden for the first time. It was totally in the wrong direction. You need to move your house to fit my imagination. <br /><br />Mind boggling is that we chose to do this. Hah ahahhah...well, it will get easier, right? Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-29410599008182808152016-01-30T08:41:17.447-08:002016-01-30T08:41:17.447-08:00OH SO IMPORTANT. It really does matter, there'...OH SO IMPORTANT. It really does matter, there's no getting around it. I think some of this top soil has been washed away as we're on a slight slope. The olives are so pretty and hopefully will take to their new home. <br /><br />The sheet mulching: I just have so much to do that the chances of getting to that area before it's all decomposed is slim, so call it "lazy gardening"...<br /><br />Glad you are enjoying the posts, Evan! Sometimes I wonder who would find these interesting -- they seem like all in a day's work to me but I think when I look back they will hold some humor for me - like the "oh, Honey...do you remember when we sheet mulched that darned garden? Ha ha...that was so much fun!".....<br /><br />Oh, and I would love to have you out to help I.D. some trees and see the area now...I think you could give me some ideas! Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-66082916134884876142016-01-30T08:36:32.295-08:002016-01-30T08:36:32.295-08:00Yes it is, Amy! It takes a bit of dinking around b...Yes it is, Amy! It takes a bit of dinking around before it becomes logical - but a great tool anyone can use. Thank you for coming out and your recommendations, I will definitely seek out soil tests for the veg patch. You're the best! Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-43128348073176432102016-01-30T08:35:16.975-08:002016-01-30T08:35:16.975-08:00Oh, I know the pain of getting it to the backyard,...Oh, I know the pain of getting it to the backyard, that's no small chore! I'm hoping the plants love me for it, or will. I figure I can do it now before I'm an old lady...as I plan to drink a lot in my old age. Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-28285290877093589982016-01-30T08:33:52.121-08:002016-01-30T08:33:52.121-08:00Thanks, Phillip - more just trying things out - I&...Thanks, Phillip - more just trying things out - I'll keep you posted how it goes! How's your new garden? Have you had a chance to settle in yet? Chickadee Gardenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00698323800314994028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-91350986854501874542016-01-29T21:43:56.773-08:002016-01-29T21:43:56.773-08:00Looks like you're going to be needing a tracto...Looks like you're going to be needing a tractor! I'm definitely getting one shortly after we move onto our property. I'm very excited for you - it's looking so good!Gina Cardozahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03590933638186506858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-65262724604381575652016-01-29T20:49:54.624-08:002016-01-29T20:49:54.624-08:00Your efforts WILL be rewarded, I have no doubt of ...Your efforts WILL be rewarded, I have no doubt of that. I've been working on my own soil almost since we moved in to our current house 5 years ago. I have much less land than you do (just over 1/2 acre) but I appreciate the effort that goes into improving the soil and I've seen first-hand what a difference it makes. Best wishes! Pace yourself!Kris Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07097260283693156795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-55128676809286505792016-01-29T15:31:29.054-08:002016-01-29T15:31:29.054-08:00Congratulations on the move. Its a big change comp...Congratulations on the move. Its a big change compared to the old home. I had to go back a few posts to see the whole story. I feel your pain hauling all that compost. I am so glad we don't have hills. I love sheet mulching and we did it the same way. The leaves are a gardener's dream for the garden. I look forward to seeing your garden grow.That Bloomin' Gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07096928762209765281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-15625884612526789232016-01-29T12:28:19.720-08:002016-01-29T12:28:19.720-08:00Ooh, I'm VERY interested in soil. Ever since ...Ooh, I'm VERY interested in soil. Ever since I read that before houses and developments get built, the top soil is removed from the property (and sold), and that the country's top soil is eroding away, I'm super interested! The dirt at my property is average to poor and I'm always thinking about planting more deciduous trees and shrubs that can generate precious compost material. <br /><br />(BTW, i am reading Gaia's Garden and love it so far!)fifinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-73514097231678896152016-01-29T10:42:02.254-08:002016-01-29T10:42:02.254-08:00You've make a great start on that sheet mulchi...You've make a great start on that sheet mulching and all the other work too. I've made beds with sheet mulching in the past, and I just want to say "Get some manure in there." Where you're living now, I bet you won't have any trouble finding some nice aged horse manure. Check craigslist. I can't remember if I've offered cardboard boxes, but I have plenty, if you want more.Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16323262555906240701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-91828233940755655292016-01-29T07:36:47.309-08:002016-01-29T07:36:47.309-08:00It's so much work but worth it if you want a g...It's so much work but worth it if you want a good garden. I'd love to have room for olive trees, they add so much to the landscape.Shirleyhttp://rockoakdeer.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-60146587971938754002016-01-28T22:10:55.287-08:002016-01-28T22:10:55.287-08:00I'm thrilled to look at these images and actua...I'm thrilled to look at these images and actually be able to place them and know what I'm looking at. You've been busy and already done so much, it's kind of mind boggling.danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-54427399870933525042016-01-28T21:55:50.295-08:002016-01-28T21:55:50.295-08:00Soil may not be sexy, but it's important! I...Soil may not be sexy, but it's important! I've looked at that soil survey website before. My parents house is smack in the middle of a stretch of Seaquest Silty Loam, with silty loam on the top 0-6 inches and silty clay loam below that. Of course, all the open areas I want to garden in have had that important top layer scraped away, and the clay underneath is frequently compacted. Like your property, the soil in the woods is wonderfully fluffy and loamy. But I won't be touching those areas, except a little bit around the edges closer to the house. I'm surprised at how close to the water table you are. According to that site, my water table is over 80 inches down, though I've got a clay deposit in one area that holds more water and is very soggy in winter.<br /><br />Good choice with the olives! I've been thinking about planting a few at my parents' house, too. The ones at work are beautiful, and a lot of them are in more shade than you'd think an olive would accept. You're so smart to start out with all that sheet mulching and spreading compost. I've been too impatient and impulsive to do that. I think I will start sheet mulching a few areas, though, to have them ready for planting in the future. Yes, you've discovered one of the dilemmas of gardening on an acre or more. All that space really sucks up the labor and materials. Be prepared to order many more truckloads of compost. But at least you have free leaf mulch on site. I really do envy you that. About 99% of the trees at my parents house are Douglas firs.<br /><br />I'm really enjoying reading your posts on starting your new garden. Despite having moved there the year I started 3rd grade, my parents' garden is still in the early stages of development. I love seeing how you're taking on this task and getting ideas for what to do in my own garden.Evan Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732413653862912387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-19206356311042060812016-01-28T20:25:18.959-08:002016-01-28T20:25:18.959-08:00Well I think soil is fascinating. That soil survey...Well I think soil is fascinating. That soil survey site is a wonderful tool once you figure out how to navigate it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08154710503894465876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-10102035901812037222016-01-28T13:13:03.492-08:002016-01-28T13:13:03.492-08:00I've been adding compost annually for fifteen ...I've been adding compost annually for fifteen years and it still isn't "perfect" soil. I don't envy the work you're putting in. I dread humping wheelbarrow loads from the street to the backyard every spring. And that's on a MUCH smaller scale. Your plants will love you for it, though. :)Mindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07247379600555185331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-665807378090241608.post-3103248987535088432016-01-28T07:40:12.177-08:002016-01-28T07:40:12.177-08:00Great advice!Great advice!Phillip Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01546160918395373740noreply@blogger.com