Tomato Bed & Root Beer Floats

These two items initially don't sound like they have an awful lot in common - but on a hot sunny day off they are almost a required pairing.

Today - Monday - is my own work-week Sunday and I spent most of my morning  working outside in what will become my tomato bed.  I overheated a little and came in for water and some shade (yes, I put on sunscreen SPF 50 - and acquired fine layer of dirt as well - both of which helped to keep me from getting too much of a sunburn - but neither of which stopped how hot I got with the shovelling and soil screening that needed doing...

Wheelbarrow and screen-y goodness!

 Once re hydrated and cooled down a little I got back out there and finished the planned activity - namely, digging out the plants and weeds, screening the soil to remove the roots and rocks and little bits of broken pottery and glass I seem to locate every time I dig and then edge off where the bed will be and back-fill the soil.  I should have the tomato plants in a week or so - Mum has some extras and I will be getting my hands on a couple.

 

No tarp? Use an old bed sheet!

Why yes, that really IS a bag of weeds!

 

What is actually pretty cool about today's project was that I was able to recycle some edging that I saved from a project last summer where I pulled out edging and white decorative rock that the previous owner had placed around the base of my apple tree and the big lilac in the back yard. The edging sat in the shed and I do admit to having considered offering it up to freecycle, but am now glad I had it take up space through the winter. It is now back in use and will hopefully help prevent re-encroachment of the pretty but persistent ground cover that had taken over a large area of my yard.

 

Recycled bed edging

The spinach and kale that I direct seeded a few weeks ago is doing well.  Last weekend I thinned out that bed and can see that I am at the point where I can thin it out again.  I can also see that I am going to seriously consider installing drip lines (or some other intelligent irrigation system) for watering this year.  Tomatoes need lots of water but also hot conditions... Everything else - including my fruit trees - will also need water...

 

My beans were direct seeded last weekend at the base of the arbour - I hope they take! If not, mind, I will just buy some beans (runner and scarlet runner) to plant there for easy access and picking.

 

In a couple of weeks' time, Dad's going to be coming up to help me with fence repairs... once those repairs are done I am looking to set in a raised bed along the back fence as well. I'm thinking about starting seeds for that, but, well, not certain what I want to put into it yet... One thing at a time though, right?

 

My reward for a day well spent and a job well dine? You guessed it - a root beer float!

 

With love across the waters...