More like treasure hunting

Category: Garden | Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:00 am

I'm moving dirt today. Lots of it! I'll be moving dirt for days to come. This is all part of reclaiming the north side. We made a very nice border there, but due to several circumstances and my husband's bright idea to store lots of dirt from elsewhere in the garden right there, things are a bit... well... I won't say that!

Anyway, I've been digging away at weeds, and I found several small spring-flowering iris rhizomes, a Tradescantia, some Notholirion bulbs and some iris bulbs as well. And here I was, thinking the more tender plants had been moved already. I'm glad I found those, though. I've also found a plethora of big, fat worms. I carry them to the big western border, put them in and ask them kindly to go to work.

And this is how I spend my day: Three shovels of dirt, sift through for weed, roots and stones. Three more shovels, sift, until the wheel barrow is half full. That's heavy enough, thank you very much. Move dirt to designated spot. Dump dirt. Repeat twice, then have a ten-minute break in the hammock. After a couple of breaks, have a longer one inside the house where it's cool. Temps outside are now just past 25 deg C/77 deg F, and that's very hot for this area. I bet Toni is laughing her head off at me if she ever reads this. *red face here*

I have to confess that my kind, loving husband is getting a few not-too-kind nor loving thoughts thrown his way, but by the time he gets home I'm probably too worn-out to chase after him and dunk him in the children's pool. Lucky chap, he just don't know it.

Well, I'm done with my long indoors break now, so it's back outside for me. Shovel, sift, roll, dump. Shovel, sift, roll, dump.

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eileen wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:11 am:

I certainly don't envy you your task Droopy. I hope your dirt shifting won't take too long. At least you've found some plants whilst sifting - last time I did it there was nothing of any interest whatsoever.

Sjoerd wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:53 am:

Ho ho ho... I like your work method. That's how I work most of the time.
Shifting that dirt pile is going to take some time...but it will be shifted at some point.
The long break in the cool of your house sounds glorious...I don't have that luxury at the lottie. hahaha-- I can only move to a lesser degree od hot. :)
Well meid, keep up the good work. andddd.......easy does it ;)

Biita wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:22 pm:

Ha ha ha,,,i'm doing the same thing! I come in to cool off too,,its 17C here or 63F, and i am dripping sweat. The sun is relentless, not a cloud in the sky. Yep i hear all them southerners in america laughing their heads off at us with our temps,,

The only thing i'm finding is roots to weed flowers that i don't want. lucky you for your finds.

Just a thought here, maybe you should take a break right before your husband comes home and then you can dunk him,,,lol. Just a thought.

toni wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:11 pm:

Yes, I did read this and no I didn't laugh...I did giggle and snort kinda like Biita did at my pictures of hills :)
It's all about what you are used to. 77 deg has been the coolest our temp has gotten overnight.

I have never moved dirt and I don't think I want to try either. At least you are finding some treasure to give the job a little excitement.

Droopy wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:23 pm:

Thank you for your supportive words, and those that are giggling and snorting are very much allowed to!

I have realized that I'm probably looking at weeks of steady labour out there, at least as long as the weather is dry. Shovelling wet earth is the worst! At least now it's fairly light, barring all those pebbles and stones in there. The sun's coming around now, so I think I'll call it a day, have a shower and start watering the borders.

dooley wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:01 pm:

I moved a large pile of dirt a couple of years ago. I think I posted some pictures of myself sifting the rocks and using them to make paths and using the dirt to level places in the yard. It is a lot of work. I used the large rocks to line paths too. Didn't find any treasures though. dooley

glendann wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:48 pm:

Giggling here too Biita.Its very hot here today and as toni said our low is 77.Heather is headed back to Montana and their highs are in the 70s and low last night 48.:) I bet she is happy to get out of this heat here in Texas.

Droopy wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:59 pm:

There are lots and lots of big, flat stones out there. We're going to use them for the borders, both to raise the borders and to have stepping stones in them. The small stones will be used for filling and drainage. Some of that dirt might just end up in patches around the yard, since it's gotten fairly bumpy over the years. I've at least started to do something out there, and that's a good feeling in itself. *patting myself on the back*

CritterPainter wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:27 pm:

Good grief, and I was tired before I read that!!
Be sure to give yourself a back-pat for me, but prob'ly wash the dirt off your hands first :)

Droopy wrote on Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:42 pm:

Thanks CP! The T-shirt is dirty, so I won't have to wash.

TheBip wrote on Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:26 pm:

Ugh Droopy, I think I would give up after a few days of all that dirt moving *lol* Moving wet dirt is definitely awful, which is why I haven't started on any of garden plans... too wet! Its rained nearly every day for two straight weeks! Then it gets up into the 90's and its sooo humid *dies*

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