The black clay was so hard we added a layer of compost to the top of the rows then filled in the walkways with native tree trimmings from Mizell tree service.

Some of us are anxiously awaiting an update on the saga of Daisy Acres. Those of us who wish we had a large acreage to garden live vicariously through you, you know!

Update, update, update!

More is coming!
I must say that this may be the WORST soil I have ever dealt with. Throw in 6 weeks of cloudy cool weather and all is going slow. Things are growing very slow. Right now the peppers and blackberries are doing the best. I planted 4 rows of corn with canteloupe in between as ground cover. I PROMISE pictures next week , I am off to the Texas hill country to get lost on my Harley for 5 days to clear my head from a long spring. Patience and persistence has always been my motto. I am seeing very good results from the veggies planted with llama manure.
One mistake I made was not getting a soil test done before I started, but I have some virgin ground to test.
Will post more soon! hang in there with me, the results from Daisy acres are going to be interesting!!!

Daisy and began some harvesting yesterday. Looking back on my notes the onions we planted did not go in until the end of Feb. first week of March. the white onions have done the best, about tennis ball size, the yellows we pulled yesterday were golf ball size. The reds, which had the weakest plants basically did not make. We will be using them as set onions in the fall. Will definatly plant by the first of January next year. We pulled a bucket full of green beans, but considering we planted 3 70" rows it was pretty pathetic.

BUT THERE IS HOPE!

I planted 3 rows of black eye peas and 2 rows of okra. As I was planting the black eyes I noticed that all the plants in the garden were beginning to green up finally. The ground I moved to plant the peas was still loose and not totally compacted, the organic amendments seemed to be doing their job. Although, not an earthworm in site yet. I will jump for joy when they return! This ground just does not drain well and stays wet for a long time. With the rain we have had this year I should have planted RICE!

More soon

Todays update:

Feeling much better about the garden. Planted black eyed pea seed on thursday EARLY morning and they have ALL sprouted. Now if they will just start growing.
My other plants are looking a little better, although with the summer haet coming on, it may be too late.
On the bright side, as I work in the rows, I can see definate improvements!

So everyone out there that gets discouraged, DO NOT SWEAT IT!!!
I have been doing this for over 30 years now, and I am still learning!!!!

In the spring I saw bean sprouts in the morning in my garden and they were gone when I got home from work. The culprits were snails. I had to replant a couple of areas a couple of times.

I've posted about them here before, you can track them down in the member blogs. I wonder--would row after row of shallow bowls and beer be practical for you?