The Fonz

Last week I went to cut some Kale out of the garden for dinner when I nearly stepped in a pile of little poo pellets. I knew it was from the deer but I just didn't want to believe it. I fenced my yard months ago and had only one incident where they jumped the fence. They got hurt doing it and they quickly learned that my yard wasn't lunch anymore. There is one area where I don't have fence - there is a large pine tree blocking the gap so I figured I wouldn't need to fence that area. I was wrong. Last week they entered and ate over 40 tomatoes from my garden. There are no more tomatoes. . . Deep breath. At least they had a tastey lunch.

Here is "The Fonz" and thier mama. This is before they ate my tomatoes. . . They hang out next door in the empty lot. I'm sad to say that the lot has been leased and a giant new home will be hauled in this week. I wish I could lease the lot for the deer. . . I'll have to move the salt lick that I put out for them. . .

it grows

My first tomtom of the year. I ate it. It was good. There are dozens more waiting to turn red.

The lettuce is gone. It grew so fast and went to seed before I could eat it all. Yesterday I planted more from seed.
The side is starting to fill out better. I think it's just not getting enough sun right now. The big tree that's been shading the lawn is scheduled to be cut down (worm problems). I bet this area will burst when the light comes .Peppers!!!!!!!!

Mapleton Gardens

I'm a member of the Mapleton Projects, I mean the Mapleton Process, I mean, the Garden Club (inside Garden Club joke). Last night we had our monthly meeting which was held at Gene's place. I've never seen this group so silly! Everyone was telling stories and laughing. I wasn't sure we would ever talk about our gardens last night. We talked about infestations and poop on roofs, peeing in compost piles, what to eat and what it means if Gene calls you a pretty chicken. We laughed and laughed and laughed. Thanks to you all for again, making me so happy I didn't chose to sit this one out. As I walked home from the meeting with my empty potluck dish I was over come with peace that Mapleton Gardens provides for me.

More of the yard and something NEW!

I took a few more photos of the yard today. I realized that I hadn't shown the front (besides the rock garden) very well. I'm really happy with the grass that filled in the bald spots but I'm discovering that the soil is so hard and rocky that it's not draining very well after I water it. . .

Today this arbor with trellis was built off my back sliding door. I've been waiting for this to go up for months. It changes the whole feel of my side yard. Before I had this built my toilet was visable from the yard (and I would think from my neighbor's trailer). . . PRIVACY! I'm going to grow grapes up the trellis.

Mapleton - Where Mr. Plumbean lives.

Here in cyberspace is my garden and my neighborhood. I've wanted to share my yard and my neighborhood with those who don't get to come by and see it on a regular basis. This place I call home is very special.

I took the photo above earlier today. This is the empty lot next to me where I've stashed a salt lick for my friends. Today they were hopping like bunnies.

To start this thing off, here's the before and current photos of the process called my yard. It starts with a photo taken before I even purchased my home, and this blog ends with photos taken June 22nd. . .

September 2007

Uma inspecting the new yard. . .

In October of 2007 the water main burst in my front yard, 6 feet underground. All the plants I had just placed and the rocks I hauled in had to be moved and this hole was dug. .

In March 2008 I started to fill in the gaps in the lawn where
the infrastructure upgrades had occured.

Here is the garden in April 2008. I mixed in peat and goat manure.

Here is the front as it looks in June 2008.