Still Sifting At 75

Twenty-five years ago we purchased thirty-six acres of land that could not support modern farming.  Without any consideration about the reality of the land, action was undertaken that would someday place a house on a somewhat level field.  Roaring in with wheelbarrows and hand tools, we discovered that a four tined spade could not be inserted into the ground.  Glacier broken stones were more prevalent in our dirt than topsoil.  The solution was to start screening out the stones where a planting bed was planned.

This picture illustrates my approach to everything.  Any job is never finished because I am always drawn to the next project.  This unfinished stone path stopped short of the crest of the slope.  Sizable weed growth shows just how long this site has been waiting for some attention.  This day's work began with me  taking time to smell the first rose.

Sifting dirt is a simple if uncommon process.  Once the plant growth is removed, patient use of the tools frees dirt so that it can be lifted onto the screen.  Stones are dropped where the path will go while the soil is used to fill a nearby depression that was previously left unfinished.

This may not look like much of a morning's work but wisdom defines limits that will make possible different work this afternoon.  This type of easy manual labor is credited with helping me reach seventy-five years of age.  A careful approach and a little wisdom has kept me injury free.  The remainder of this path will wait for another day.  As has been my habit, the next job calls.

This is not the first iris to open here but it is certainly the grandest.  Shaker's Prayer is its name and the past few years following a move have been difficult.  It appears to have finally recovered so that we can enjoy its brightly detailed markings.

Finding Our Roots

When we found this land in '94, it satisfied nearly all of our requirements.  Located close to the Unadilla River but at a good distance above the water's surface flooding was unlikely.  During a recent flood all of the nearby bridges were closed until inspected so we could not drive anywhere but all of our land remained well above the flood water.  Since seven more years of employment were in my future at that time, the retirement land had to be reasonably close to work.  Privacy was an important issue but isolation was a deal breaker.  The town road is close by but the house is located higher than the road resulting in no intrusion by road noise.  The winding brush lined lane with no end in sight tends to discourage uninvited guests.

These acres were part of a farm but were situated well above the river bottom land.  Various level tracts at different elevations served primarily as pasture and we believed gardening was a possibility.  After the sale closed we discovered that it was impossible to insert even a four tined spade into the ground.  Stones were more numerous than soil so we had a problem.  The five by thirty foot planned planting beds were to be surrounded by three foot wide broken stone paths.  All that had to be done was to place the bed stones in the path and the path soil in beds.  Two wheelbarrows, a shovel and a wire screen made the magic happen.  I cannot begin to imagine how many hours were spent making stone free soil for the beds but I know that I enjoyed every minute of that job.  There is something magical about the transformation from chaos to the finished product.  It makes me feel good to step back and look at what just happened.

The area between the two planting beds remained unfinished for years.  The draw of a new large project elsewhere kept me away from this short path.  We are working to fill in the holes so that this place might actually sell.  This soon to be finished path will allow for an easy walk from the garden to the lawn.

Looking across a long finished path, it is difficult to tell just where the new work begins.  A rainstorm will wash clean the recently unearthed stones making the new work look like it has always been there.  Our first two hours of outside work happen here these days.  This will continue to be job one until it is finished.  We must come clean.  The real reason for including this photo is to preserve the image of Cardinal Flower blooming close to one of our stone walls. 

Why Garden?

With birthday seventy-three in the wings, one cannot help but look back and wonder just how did all of this happen?  Twenty-three years ago we bought this former working farm in a somewhat abandoned state.  Several horses spent their summers here running wild within perimeter fencing.  Their presence kept invasive vegetation in check preserving the cultivated appearance of the former fields.  Under our stewardship the briers and the Japanese honeysuckle have made serious inroads but we are fighting back.

The stone walled square was our first project here.  It required three years to gather the stone and complete using only hand tools and a pickup truck.  The glacially deposited soil remains unfit for cultivation.  It contains more stones than soil fines.  Stones were screened out of the garden beds.  Some were used to establish garden paths.  Larger stones were used to build the upper section of our driveway.  Occasional stones suitable for walls went there.  Tons of compost were added to the sandy soil and workable garden soil was slowly built.

The overgrown area to the right of the stone square was our first garden bed.  Goldenrod, asters, quack grass, rugosa roses and a smoke bush now hold most of this bed.  We are working to reclaim this ground.  Flowers and strawberries have the far end now.

Our ambitious plans called for sections of rectangular planting beds that would surround the stone square on three sides.  Eleven beds were completed.  Stones were sifted out building both planting soil and stone paths.  Only one entire bed has been reclaimed by the quack grass.  The adjacent bed never saw its near section finished due to a change in elevation.  The remaining nine beds serve as planned but  now we grow more flowers and fewer vegetables.

Age related adjustments can be clearly seen.  Only the face peers out into sunlight.  Sun protective clothing now covers everything else.  Passersby must wonder just what sort of people work this ground.  We care not at all what others think and there are some advantages to being seen as perhaps just a little off.

The garden cart keeps all of my small tools close by under the seat.  Working the soil from a seated position overcomes some problems while creating new ones.  My feet must rest on the soil compacting what we never used to walk on.  When the distant work is finished, the soil is loosened where the feet and the cart wheels were. The fact that I had my big feet in the garden bed is kept a secret!   Muscle soreness signals when the activity must change and we try to listen.

This area in front of the house is nearly finished.  Some sod must be removed and replaced with stones in our continuing battle with pasture grasses.  Then we will move to the far end of the house and bring that area under our control.  More planting areas and a swing are planned.

The original question remains unanswered.  Why garden?  Quite simply, working outside among tasty or beautiful appearing or pleasantly scented flowers brings a quietness to my soul like nothing else.  The positive results that come with carefully done manual labor have played a major life sustaining role for me.  I cannot imagine a life away from these plants and stones.  Whatever adjustments must be made to extend my days here will be made.  A mat that will assist working the soil while flat on the ground is already here.  We use it to place our nose close to the ground to sniff the trailing arbutus!

Remember Sleeping Beauty?

I didn't prick my finger on a spindle. I have not been sleeping for years, but the plants in the garden are growing so fast I feel like I've missed some time somewhere.  Vines have not yet covered the garden walls, but the pathways are disappearing. My garden paths are lovely to be sure. Thelma's yellow sedum and thyme have softened the hard edges of the stone path.

Here woolly thyme, red creeping thyme and snow in summer have nearly covered the path in the center  circle.

This carpet of thyme has overflowed into the path.  I admit there is a part of me that likes a formal garden with hard lines and symmetrical beds.  However, my garden will never stay like that.  I have far too much difficulty removing my old sentimental favorites that pop up here and there.  Actually I like the uncontrolled wild feeling in my garden. It's never boring and there is always plenty to do. Every day there are more flowers and more weeds.  It's a delightful place to be!