Gas Pains

Tom grew up in Milwaukee, bartended in Wauwatosa in the '70s and moved here in 1984.

Commentary, observations and musings about the outdoors, life in general and maybe Tosa politics and personalities will be the order of the day. He savors a lively debate as much as terrific cooking.

The Garden Chronicles

Construction Projects, Gardening

A couple-plus weeks ago I planted peas, spinach, beets and radishes.  After basking in the glow of any number of 60-70 degree days I was gloriously optimistic about 2012 vegetable gardening.

Maybe too optimistic.  Since then there has been cold and snow mixed with pelting cold sleet and rains and a few sultry and teasingly summer-like days.

If nothing else gardeners are eternal optimists. 

The main garden has been the beneficiary of a significant makeover.

Over the years I have toyed with the notion of a raised bed for the big garden and finally decided to act upon it.  During a lull at deer camp last year I had a local landscape contractor over to discuss my idea.  Following that a plan was drafted and a deposit made.  This year's early spring allowed for swift implementation.

Last Friday brought a crew of two, heavy equipment and materials.  In a day and a half they completed the project.

With my precious topsoil contained - no longer will there be run-off and erosion.  Drainage and moisture retention will be uniformly controlled.  I now have a place to install a seasonal hose bib to supply a drip irrigation system (hubba hubba) as needed.  If I want to construct something ambitious like a hoop house some year in the future I have a foundation to affix-it to.

Sure, I know that such a capital-intensive project will drive the cost of tomatos over $60 apiece.  Yet sometimes a man has to do what he has to do. 

As I gazed fondly at the finished project over a steaming cuppa joe early Sunday morning I was struck by the tidiness and utility of the end result.  

My Teutonic side spoke to me.  Order out of chaos.  Ja!

Peas are up too...

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