Progress!

Today was such a gorgeously beautiful day, I couldn't stay inside.  It was absolutely perfect for getting outside and piddling in the garden, and that's just what I did.   

First thing I did was to check on my little zinnias, and they're doing fine. 

There is one cell that didn't seem to have anything germinating, so I planted a few more seeds in it.  I'm not sure if the ones I planted didn't grow, or if I somehow overlooked that one.  Either is possible, I suppose. 

Then I got a wild hair and decided to start hardening my little basil seedlings. My reasoning is that we're experiencing a warmer than normal spring, and they'll do better outside in the sun anyway.  If we have a late frost, I can still bring them inside for the night and put them under the grow light until it warms back up.

While I was outside enjoying the day, I said to myself, "Self, those little basil plants are going to need a place to live.  Might as well get those other beds put together."  I got one done today, and will probably do the other one tomorrow.  Now that I've got the hang of it, the next one ought to go much faster. 

It wasn't that hard to put together, but it was a bit annoying because there weren't any screw holes pre-drilled.  And I couldn't find my rubber hammer.  I finally did, but that part took longer than putting the thing together.   The kneeling bench my sister gave me for Christmas really came in handy, as well.  It made it so much easier than squatting. 

The 4 x 4 beds are made of resin and came pre-colored.  If I had have remembered that they beds were this dark, I might have painted my other beds the same color.  On the other hand, that might just make that whole corner too dark.  Nah, I'll leave them as they are.  

I think I'll leave this bed right where it sits.  There is plenty of space on this side for me to get between the beds and work, 

as well as on this side. 

Then I got another wild hair and decided to dig out all of the red clay and get back down to regular dirt.  My reasoning for that was if the plant needed to grow deep roots, that clay might be an issue.  So I got my stirrup hoe and scraped and scraped and scraped and scraped.  And I got my dirt rake and raked and raked and raked and raked and I was asking myself, "Just how much red clay did that land scammer dump here?"  

I would have kept going, but I was already getting sore, and I had to caution myself not to over do it, so I stopped.  Before I came inside, I got my shovel and dug straight down to see how much further I had to go, and it's not that far.  Only about an inch more.   

I'll take care of that tomorrow evening, then I can start filling the bed.  

The last thing I did before coming inside and taking a shower was to mark approximately where the rest of my beds will go.  

That way, when I do get the dirt guy out here, I can show him where to stop clearing, and this time, I will point the flags out to him.  I guess I just assumed the land scammer would know, hey those flags must mean something, and avoid them, but no.  He plowed them down like they weren't even there. 

I would have loved to sit outside and enjoy the day for a while, but alas, I have to get up way too early in the morning.  Yes, we're back to going in at 4:00 AM.  I wish they'd just pick a time and stick with it.  

With that, I will bid you good night.  I'm going to bed. 

Laters.