9/16/2020 - September is over half gone. A week of much needed rain took a working slice out of the month. It was a glorious week of rain in just the right way. It would rain and stop for a soak in period, then rain and soak all throughout the week. Supposedly at my house I only got a couple inches but I can see the difference in the lawn and plants. I'm hoping to get some major work done on the garden projects before winter sets in. Right now the weather is perfect for outside hard labor work. I have to pace myself and not bring on injury or the rush to finish projects won't get done. Yesterday was a major accomplishment day.
Three more ground supports were put in place. Two more are needed and this side of the water tower will be completed. Then major bracing will be needed to keep the structure stable. I am hoping to get this side complete this year so that I can start using it next spring. Getting both sides done would be a great accomplishment but I'm concentrating on this side and would be very happy if that's all that was done this year.
I have been toying with the idea to put a roof over the water tanks and catch the rain water. I have calculated that over the growing season upward of 1,000 gallons of water could be harvested for use in the garden growing season. Well, maybe less due to moisture from snow that would not be caught. That would have to be next year.
Work continues on Bed 1 at the Urban Ranch. I'm also hoping that this bed will be completed before winter sets in. This has been a year of major garden construction. The virus pandemic gave me a lot of time to work on such things. My schedule went from full to clear almost over night. I've been taking advantage of that and using the time to make garden improvements. Overall, it's been a great garden year.
In spite of the dry summer the gardens have produced an abundance of harvest. More than I could really use or give away. I'm hoping with the water tower in production that next year will be even better. It's nearing time for garden cleanup to begin.
Bed 1 at Urban Ranch is coming along. This side needs one more block and then the back side can be started. I really want this bed complete by the beginning of winter so I can use it next spring. It's a lot of work but the end result will last forever. There will not be a rebuild in the future for as long as I live when I'm done. I am working toward that day when I can't wrestle those heavy blocks around and the garden beds will be easier to use. That might not be for a couple more years. I'm hoping that things will settle down by then.
This is the hard labor part of bed 1 completed. Now comes the brick facing. I'm using concrete brick patio blocks up on edge partially buried in the dirt and construction adhesive to help keep them tight against the concrete blocks. I've decided to use woodchips for the paths between the beds. I am hoping to get that done soon.
