As you can see, some holes are already dug for the big ones.
Neil
[attachment 1041 Newbed004.JPG]
Neil,
That is what my yard looks like after a new batch of gophers move in. I hope your weather has improved up there-this still looks a little overcast.
Jackie,
Those would be big gophers like the one you caught, ugh, I’m glad their not around here. The weather has improved, ground has warmed up but still plenty moist, a lot more sun and getting cold at night. The most important thing is it looks like they stopped chem spraying or reduced it.
Actually before growing roses from seed I was suckered into planting hybride Popular trees for my own little wood lot. Bad move, the wood is soft, the roots run 20+ft. just under the grownd and look how 40ft. trees had to fall just right and not tear up the house or fence and now I’ll problay be digging up rooted Populars for the rest of my life. From now on only domesticated trees get planted here like the thirty year old one in the photo.
Neil
Looks like you have your work cut out for you. I been myself slowly making flower beds. I am slowly in the process of clearing out landscape plastic and rocks. The rocks have been their so long that it has blown in dirt and decomposed organic matter to the point it keeps no weeds down. Probably been down 20 years or so. It will probably take me another year to finish this project. When I started half the yard was this and half was dead grass.
I don’t like Populars much either. They have their uses. Mainly when you need quick cover. But thats about it. Many of these trees that grow quickly are never the garden trees that one should have planted. The slower growing trees in the end are better in landscapes usually at least in this mans opion.
Good luck with your beds. Out of curiosity what roses are you planing to plant.
Hi Adam,
I Went thru a year of the plastic, rock mania and two years to get rid of the plastic, bark dust, shrub combo. Plastic sheeting is not good for long term. I’ve seen long term weed mat that doesn’t degrade in fact I think little squares arouind the soon to be planted seedlings may be the thing and then get another load of free wood chips dumped here.
Ah, the roses. I already have planted 34 of this years seedlings and have another 200 marked. A lot of these are not especially good but of a different color or combo, or to see the plant form and flower display from the different parents. After a lot of abuse this year there are at least 200 that just keep on going.
Also I was able to visit John Jelinek and he shared 8 rooted cuttings of his crosses. Very nice and vigorous roses.
And there are about 6 ea. of Cal Poly, Rebel Rouser, and Pop Corn from cuttings to plant around.
Neil
Starting to take shape.
[attachment 1045 NewBeds004.JPG]
A treasure trove from this spot.
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One more days work, maybe more if I can sneak in making this wider.
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On the preview of this post four pictures came up, one a double
Nice looking soil Neil, can you tell me a bit about it please. Thanks
Nice progress, Neil. I do not envy that much work, but it will have a pay off.
Hi David,
The soil is clay and can get 1" cracks about this time of year. After about 30ft. of compost per sq. ft. over the years only the top 2ft is much good. In the spring in the best bed you can poke your hand 5" straight into the soil. For the new roses it’s best to soak a hole twice which takes hours to drain, plant the rose, water, in a couple days put on some household fert., water again and walk away, they don’t die but it takes several years for most of them to hit their stride.
Michael,
Only one more 20sq. ft. bed riff with morning glory to go.