May 7, 2012

Well, I couldn't avoid it anymore. The stump has to come out if I want to finish this level. Already, I can see that it will challenge me.

The strategy so far, dig out a trench deeper than the root ball, use a water hose to wash out the dirt in the root tangle into the trench, repeat. It slowly exposes the root tangle for sudden separation by ax. It has proven to be easier than trying to dig through the root ball with a shovel, easier being a relative term.

What are shovel chunks? That's where the shovel hit the roots as I tried to dig, in the process jarring my wrists and elbows and making me wish for the days of ag-store dynamite. What has to be done? Probe with the shovel tip until a spot is found in which the shovel penetrates full-blade depth. From there, the trench is begun. And, if you're wondering, YES, it's very frustrating and tedious. But, apparently, I subconsciously thrive on it. Again, go figure.

May 5, 2012

Honestly, digging is digging. Not much I can say about it other than I'm glad that the grass layer is so thin and the soil is so sandy. Sure, it's a lot of work, but it's nowhere near as difficult as it could be. In fact, it's moving faster than I expected. I have no idea how long this will take, but it's not hard to imagine that most of my posts in the near future will be dynamic, awe-inspiring images of dirt...and more dirt.

In the above and below shots, the lack of organic material is glaringly obvious. Just another example demonstrating the almost post-apocalyptic deadness of the soil.

If the soil were healthy, the pile of dirt in the above shot would be full of roots and organic matter. I should be disturbing so many insects that it should look like a scene from The Birds, but attacking the pile of dirt, not me.

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?

May 4, 2012

Well, I have finally started moving dirt, more like sand. Truthfully, I didn't intend on doing this much work. I only wanted to test the soil for root depth and soil separation. I had questions that needed answering before I could plan my work path and further my design intent.

Just how bad would it be? Would I have to use a tiller before I could even consider moving any dirt? Would I have to rent a backhoe? Would I have to hire help? How much could I move per hour by myself? Since, in my mind, I was going to build at least two terraces, three levels including the lowest level, how much dirt would I have to move to create the first-level terrace?

I was stunned at how smoothly and easily the shovel penetrated the grass layer and lifted a chunk of lawn. The root bond was so weak that the patch I lifted kept the shape of the shovel; actually, I was using a spade, so it was square-ish shaped. I did it three more times just to be sure. Then, without even really thinking about it, I just kept going. Apparently, I do that a lot when it comes to back-breaking labor; go figure.

I decided to work at night to avoid the heat. Unfortunately, no matter what I  time I work, I can't seem to avoid the humidity. You southerners know of what I speak. I started the test dig around 9pm; yes, 9 pm. I think I called it a night around 12 am.

The following three pictures trace a three-point arc of the work area.
     

The ease with which I moved this much lawn is a positive sign in a few ways. First, it told me that heavy machinery and hired crew would not be necessary; of course, 'necessary' is a relative term. That would save a LOT of money. Second, as indicated by the patchy greenery, it told me that the soil was, indeed, about useless. Regardless if I moved any dirt or not, the soil health had to be completely rebuilt; that's positive because I wouldn't be destroying a healthy ecosystem just to satisfy my gardening ego. Third, I've already dug down to the depth needed to establish the first level.

I would like to state that the purpose of this whole exercise is to do it with as little economic input as possible. It is to demonstrate that significant positive change and self-reliance can be achieved without a fat bank account. That 'waste,' if properly re-applied can be treasure. That problems can be overcome with some sweat equity and creative thinking. That it doesn't take much to start growing your own food and achieving a balance with nature. That getting in touch with nature is good.

Stay tuned.

More tests and evaluations.

May 3, 2012
At the moment, the excitement has reached its peak. Even I, the Suburban Hermit of Fayetteville, can only stand so much. I continue to be stunned by just how much earth-mass has moved across this landscape. The discoveries are most draining on my pysche. How will I ever overcome these revelations? In the following pictures, the astute reader will easily see the forces of nature at work. The red arrows and explanatory text are for my clarity.

 

Stating for the record, the views of the following two pictures are inside the fence that encloses the patio and fish pond. The stump pointed out above is almost directly in line with the brick on the left.

Again, for the record, this is the gate to the far left in the top picture. Its view is from front to back of the house.

Some of you may have noticed that this writer referred to himself as 'Suburban Hermit of Fayetteville.' Surprisingly, the title 'Suburban Hermit' has been taken by several other blogonites, thus the suffix. Apparently, in the world of blogospherismses, 'Suburban Hermit' is not as creative as I had thought. How dare google point out my lack of originality.

The first test digs.

May 2, 2012

Okay, so the first thing I had to do was find out how much build-up had occurred against the house. It's not pretty. I didn't do much today except to dig out some dirt and make some evaluations. I expected some build-up, but my expectations simply did not prepare me mentally for the reality. It definitely made me re-evaluate my original ideas. 

                                                          The pictures are self-explanatory.

When the cinder blocks were originally placed, their bottoms were at ground level.

That's it for now. The next couple of posts will probably be more test digs and evaluations.

I made it to my second post.

May 1, 2012   From this point, I will be dating these posts based on the date index attached to the pictures. I will, also, be writing as if from that time point. No foreshadowing. Sadly, that will lessen the drama and tension and destroy any chance for an Oscar.

So, gentle readers, you must be saying to yourselves, 'Suburban Hermit, how in the world will you top that dynamic post concerning the front yard? I laughed. I cried. It became a part of me.' Easy, Fools, by showing you the backyard. As you can see, once again, a typical, boring suburban backyard. Absolutely nothing exciting. Please, don't be fooled by all of the greenery. It's a cruel illusion perpetuated by nature; none of that greenery is of real value, except to be green, which is also typical of today's yards. Yes, I know the dandelions are useful, but, I can't use them at this moment.

If you look closely at the soil in the foreground, you can see how depleted and dead the yard actually has become. 

I am amazed by how far the branches in the back of the garden area extended beyond the fence and into the garden. I estimate at least ten feet, maybe fifteen. Could have been 12.65, but I'm not going to quibble. It just needed to be cut back.

In the middle pictures, you can see how much build-up has occurred. The entire bottom of the gate has become buried.

The dandelions I spoke of earlier. 

Well, that's the tour of the backyard. I know, I know, I should have warned you of the intensity. That's just the way I do things. 

All kidding aside, the permaculture/sustainability/restoration part is coming. Right now, as Sepp Holzer, Masanobu Fukuoka, and Brad Landcaster state as the first step in this kind of project, I will observe and evaluate before I start making any big changes.