Finishing the Garden Story

The garden photos I started sharing  three posts ago all arose because I spent half a day watching our gardener work.  The purpose was to remove three circular raised beds (purchased as firepit rings), and while out there supervising him, I had lots of time to roam around, camera in hand.  Sorry, there are lots of pictures!

The starting point was these three circular beds.  The problem was that the rear of these in particular was suffering from too much shade, and fine roots from the nearby maple tree climbing up in the beds, interfering with the veggies.

This is the new linear bed that will replace them, and sit further out into the sun.

First the old raised beds had to come out.

This took a fair amount of digging and prying with the shovel, but out they came after an hour's work!

The new one was anything but level when it was first placed in.

Then the digging began, and this was the hardest part, 

for under our thin layer of topsoil is very hard clay.

Eventually our very hard-working gardener got it done and the new raised bed was reasonably level.

Then He and Mrs. F.G. packed the bottom with layers of cardboard.  This is a trick the head gardener had researched, hoping it will keep tree roots out!  This was also the rare moment I could actually help, cutting up cardboard boxes for them to use.

After that the available soil from the previous raised beds was shovelled into the new raised bed.  Not enough, but it's a start.

Then Mrs. F.G. and our gardener stood and admired their (his) work. 

This is the raised bed today.  The good soil from several pots and grow-bags, and two of the 'towers' has been added to make the new raised bed ready for planting!  A job well done!

I should also introduce our gardener.  When I came home paralyzed we realized we would need help.  I was the under-gardener at out previous home, taking direction from Mrs. F.G.  It turned out that neighbours had a nephew who was interested.  He's married, with a full-time job in Owen Sound, but he's over here in Meaford nearly every weekend, helping either his mother or his aunt and uncle with things.

He wanted to earn extra money though, so we hired him.  He and Mrs. F.G. talk horticulture for 45 minutes most times he visits, they exchange seeds and she gives him plants for his own garden.  Also we pay him well.  I think this is his fifth year working for us, and let me tell you, we wouldn't be doing this without him!