Work began on the monastery garden this week.
A lot touching a corner with mine had been clearcut by its previous owner. The housing association didn’t like that, and prevented them from developing the lot further. For a decade, the land sat torn up and weedy, but was one of the only places on the mountain that got sunlight. I managed to pick the lot up last year.
After stomping through the 12′-long whips of raspberries, I plotted out the ‘upper garden,’ which will be mostly raised beds, and had a load of compost brought in (it was dumped in the road and drainage ditch, so I’ve been clearing that mess up.
My old garden plot didn’t get much sun, and so that will be converted to a no-mow cloverlawn. I had to move the asparagus, which was a 2-day adventure in mud wrestling.
The asparagus was transferred, I’ve started on the other raised beds. One of my neighbors expressed a concern about bears, so I will keep that on the radar and make sure crops that are attractive to bears are well fenced. The garden should provide me and some of the neighbors with fresh veggies, and also reduce my carbon footprint.
Thinking about converting the space under the shed into a root cellar. The floor of the shed is well-insulated, so that might be a plausibility.
I’m also managing the parcel for songbird and pollinator habitat. Hopefully with some thought I can manage it to improve nesting and shelter opportunities for some of the many special species up here!
