May 4, 2012

These images were taken just a few minutes after photographing the dig area in the previous post. I wanted to determine what the issues might be upslope, especially around the original vegetable garden area. Unfortunately, the reader cannot clearly see the amount of build-up that has occurred. Experience has already taught me, though, that once I start leveling this area, the volume of earth will become more obvious, even in these low-budget images. But, as it is, it does foreshadow the work that will be necessary.

In the above image, note the peak of the swell of earth as compared to the seam between the two layers of cinderblocks. Also note the patchiness of the lawn surface. My grandfather continually fought ants, never realizing that they, just like the dandelions, are an indicator of soil health. If he had worked to improve the soil, both the dandelions and the ants would have moved on. If anything, the ants would have been beneficial to omproving the soil. Honestly, I never understood his need to eradicate the ants. They weren't fire ants. They weren't dangerous. He didn't have anything they wanted. He didn't even have a garden the last ten years, yet, the ants were a continual focus of his ire. Maybe residual effects from his war years?