Tuesday, February 2, 2010

A Decision Rendered

I've made a decision. Like it or not, I've made the decision.

Now I've just got to stick to that decision. I think I can; I think I can; I think I can.....

I've been looking for advice (okay, more like peer pressure) on the Garden Web SFG forum recently concerning my neurosis with having perfectly topped off, leveled beds. I know when you have 12-16 inch beds that an eighth of an inch under the top of the boards isn't going to harm you, but it hurts my brain. I want it perfectly leveled with the top, blast it.

I ran out of compost to fill all of the beds to the brim, but I think instead of filling everything right now, I've got an alternative solution: I've got enough to make the EG-perfect-pitcher's-mound in my established beds and to fill the two smaller beds in the other corner yard. These are the only ones I need for the fall planting. Project Completed. Check!

That leaves the large bed in the other corner yard half empty and the side yard beds have yet to be amended, none of which I'll need until late April, May. I was also waiting to see what the sun exposure was like now that we've cut down my nemesis (parts 1 and 2). I may very well get enough sun to add another box, which would mean traveling to fetch more compost anyway.

Drum roll..........I've decided to fill what I have to perfection, and leave the large box in the other corner yard unfilled until I see if I can add the additional box which would require the trip to the supply place anyway. I've enabled my neurosis and planned for the future. It's perfect.

It doesn't help that because of the absurd amount of rain we've been getting, the compost looks like this:
Seriously, it was like modeling clay. This is the same mix that I bought last year that was so friable and beautiful. This was mud. Same mix, just overly waterlogged. Tilling it in with what I already have will be fine, however, but it was a beast to lift, shovel and break the clods. If I wait until May to fetch the rest of the compost, there's a good chance that this wet spell will have passed and the warmth will dry out the mix some. I don't know if that's scientifically logical, but it sounds good to me, so that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

So there you have it, sports fans. I'll mound and level my beds to my heart's content now, sacrificing a bed that wouldn't be filled or used anyway this spring, and then fill it in the summer when I may be building another bed and have the chance for the compost to be a little more workable.

Game on.

The morning comes early. Sweet gardening dreams.

6 comments:

  1. This had me laughing! I am totally OCD but not with the level of my beds! I guess I never thought about it until now. I have a ledge all around my raised beds for setting down stuff (like my butt) so I think it casts enough of a shadow that I don't notice the level dropping off. I am sure now I will start noticing and obsessing... thanks, lol! And unrelated, but I am trying to type on my hubby's little netbook and the keyboard is a pain... grrr...I had to go back and change the typos in almost every word due to this little keyboard! I guess I am too lazy to walk over to my own computer tonight!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Compost...garden's gold. Your broccoli is going to be SUPER happy. lol

    ReplyDelete
  3. I hear your evil-genius laugh from here! Nice work around, Ribbit. Nice work around. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I dare you to repeat that. You lost me at EG's pitcher's mound ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I get it, I really do. But what do you do when it rains and tamps down? Even the fluffy middle has to go eventually.
    Own your OCD stuff, I guess!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Erin, my work here is done. Muah-ha-ha.
    ***

    KM, I can only hope! My transplants are looking okay, but I hope the animals leave them alone once I get them in the garden.
    ***

    Momma_S, most certainly, my friend. Most certainly.
    ***

    Granny, the pitcher's mound comment came from EG's discussion on the GW forum. He's as obsessive as I am about the level of the beds, difference is, I try to talk myself out of it.
    ***

    Stefaneener, hence the pitcher's mound so when it does settle, it's perfectly level.

    ReplyDelete