Soil

Today the kids and I drove out to Valley View Farms. They began their Spring hours today, and it felt special to be there as the nursery was waking up. Just a few shrubs and trays of pansies in what is usually a packed indoor and outdoor garden center.

We took a soil sample. It turns out our soil is slightly acidic. Our PH level was about 6.8 and we want it a bit lower, around 6. The garden guy recommended an 8 pound bag of lime. The whole clay issue is apparently a non issue. I asked about peat moss, but he said that peat moss could lower the acidity too much. He said we should be fine, but to just add a 2 inch layer of Leaf Grow to the top of the soil. He also pointed me to a bag of organic fertilizer I can sprinkle.

This information was a sweet relief, for some reason I was expecting them to tell me I would need a truckload of manure and 7 bales of peat moss. A few bags of Leaf Grow, some lime and fertilizer seem simple. I was also pleased that no one seemed to think I was behind. I felt almost like I knew what I was doing.

I emailed the seed people today as well. I'm sure they are rolling their eyes at me, as I actually only placed my order on February 25th. It's been fewer than 2 weeks and I'm already tapping my foot. I wonder how I'll do waiting for seeds to become food.

Our last accomplishment in our garden front was the most fun. After naps, I took the kids out back and let them play while I dug. I've expanded the garden about a foot and then turned over soil and pulled some weeds in about a third of the bed.

On a sad note, I learned this morning that a friend and a cousin-in-law both passed away this weekend. I don't know how to put losses like these in words, so I won't try. It just didn't feel right to write without acknowledging this change in the world and lives of those I love. May they rest in peace.