Mid-Atlantic Gardening: What is happening in your Garden Today Spring 2011, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
The bed will be 5-4x4's high--Of course--the first one is, pretty much, buried below soil level.
Two of the three posts have been set for the 2 "Shadow Box" fencing panels....

He was all pooped out--will continue tomorrow AM.

I still have NO idea WHERE or HOW MUCH top soil to get.......
I think I will need between 1--and 1 1/2 cubic yards.
Many places have 2 or 3 cy minimum.....to deliver....

Also--still struggling with all the advice on the composition of the "perfect" soil mix
we have hashed over and over here on the DG Soil Forum.....

Mostly--I cannot find the Thread where "Tapla" was talking about all the soil mix ingredients....
***WHAT were those small, puffed, clay-like particles Tapla kept talking about?????

NOT the "Rock Dust"----the other.
What Thread was that on????? I went back to mt Post on the "Soil and Composting Thread----
but it was NOT the one he talked about all this stuff.....

If all fails--I will just buy a couple of bags of Contractor Sand----or the rougher version--
No#2 under pavers mix, which, actually, has small bits and pieces of rock in it--and call it OK!
Of course--I also have several bags of composter, shredded leaves waiting to be incorporated
in this mix--as well as a big tote-full of mu own compost.

I KNOW it will all work out. No one can, realistically, comply with all the ingredients talked about
if you have no local place to get it....ALSO--IF one thinks it is NOT totally necessary....

Have to think of all this VERY, VERY soon--so I do not lose this workman's commitment to building
this bed....Tine is of essence--and my now--almost 18" tall Tomatoes are chomping at the bit to be
planted.....Can't wait!!!! It will look beautiful!!!!
May be the most expensive bed I have ever built!!!!
That's what happens when you have NO man in your life to do this for free.....It is all $$$$$$$$$$.....

Gita
Here is another view of the bed--coming along......
One thing--------------I thought it was 4' wide. The bed is just 3' wide... Bummer!

edited to ad----I am still struggling with the idea of laying a double layer of pro Weed Block down
before the bed is filled with soil.
NOT because I fear any weeds coming up--Heavens--NO!!!!
It is because i want to keep any of the small, feeder roots from my Maple Tree growing into this lush, new bed....

I seriously hope this gray, pro-grade Weed block will do the job--at least for a few years....
Ray (the guy building this bed for me) hacked quite a few, wrist sized ,from my tree out of the perimeter
of the bed....Hope that will help a bit.....
Keeping my fingers crossed........Will post more pictures as this progresses.....

This message was edited Apr 29, 2011 5:09 PM