Our Engineered Garden

Preserving a moment in time and saying goodbye

2011-10-28T15:50:00.002-05:00

It's no secret that countless things have been constructed by my hands over the past several years. Anything from decks, raised beds, trellises, sheds, planters, flowerbeds, and even the house in which I currently live.
Each was built for various reasons that would make life easier to some degree, and also to beautify the landscape in some cases. But never have I built something simply to preserve a memory - until now, that is.
A never-ending love and fond memories gone by has compelled me to build something for what once was - for it's quite plain to see that no other time during my last days on earth will there ever be anything similar to the love that we shared.
Doing this provides the closure that I need to carry on with my life as the lone soul that is destined to remain as one. So, I have built a cairn in honor of what used to exist between my former spouse and myself - so that the best time of my life can be encapsulated until remaining days have passed.
A cairn is an arrangement of stones carefully placed in a certain order, so that an important event can be remembered for years to come. It can be for the death of a loved one, or even a cherished memory - and this one symbolizes both for me.
I honestly feel as though a part of me has died, but at the same time am reminded of great times that always bring a smile to my face. Stones simply wouldn't do justice for what we experienced, and my work is most commonly performed with various types of wood.
So, through a river of tears and sweat I have constructed the very last thing to ever be created with the skills given to me as a blessing from God - so that all that gaze upon it's splendor will understand that for a short while a couple shared a love so great that no author could properly put it into words.
This is my cairn to us, and a stainless steel plate with the following engraved words is firmly fastened to it so that people will know that indeed - something special took place here :

For my love,
Lest we forget the brief moment in life when both dream and day were as one..

It was nice to make friends with other gardeners from around this great world, and I hope that my contributions will be useful for years to come. Perhaps the strength to write about life's experiences will return in a dream, but for now my words have simply faded away. I ask God several times each day to make the pain go away, but am doomed to carry it with me for what seems to be an eternity. The love of my life is no longer by my side, and I miss her more than you could possibly imagine. With a very heavy heart I must now say goodbye, and wish each and every one of you the best in life. I will truly miss you all.

Jeff

First frost

2011-10-20T19:03:00.001-05:00

Since the first late-season frost will likely arrive with tonight's 33 degrees, everything was harvested from the garden this evening. Around 5 lbs. of beans, peppers, and zucchini were added to the year's harvest total - ending the warm-season garden for the year. Oh well, at least it was pretty productive, I guess.

In other news, the loneliness of the inevitable winter season has certainly arrived - making each night as dreaded as you could possibly imagine. But, I'll make it somehow - with hopes of better days ahead. For now, the planter is what keeps me going, and should be finished in a couple of weeks - if not sooner. When it is done, my tools will be retired. With all that is being put into this construction emotionally, I just don't think anything will be left in me for building anything else. :(

EG

A reunion of brothers

2011-10-18T13:46:00.003-05:00

As a new chapter in my life begins, I've taken the liberty of looking at just who I've become over the years. What I saw was not a good person, and the ocpd that affects my everyday life has certainly been allowed to cause destruction in all personal relationships over the past several years.
So, a new direction in life has given me new vision - and my journey to becoming a better person begins with mending any fences broken with those affected by my bitter carelessness.
Yesterday, I made the phone call that had been absent for more than 6 years to my identical twin brother who I had quickly discarded due to a family quarrel. With guidance from above and a new determination in life, I can gladly say that we are as one again. I love you Greg, and will never leave your side again.

Btw, I'm the cute one. :)

Hmm......

2011-10-16T22:38:00.003-05:00

The wheels on the bus go round and round.....lol. Yes, the planter will have wheels - but how many?

You wouldn't believe how difficult it was to make this wheel without the proper equipment. It was made entirely on my little thrown-together table in the backyard, and with pretty simple tools, too. I'll do a very detailed post on it when finished, and guess it will become one of my readers' favorite construction posts. :)

In other news, most things growing right now will likely perish from the upcoming frigid nightly temperatures later this week. I'll probably try to save a couple of tomato plants, but that's about it.

EG

Beans in fall

2011-10-16T14:24:00.001-05:00

Man, the beans are really liking the cooler weather of fall. The only thing is - giving the harvested beans away to someone who'll take them....

You'd think it would be easy to do, but nope.

Today, one of my sisters came over to see what I was building, and of course it was being worked on out back when she arrived. Whew....thankfully the hardest part is now finished - and I bet at least 20 hours has been spent on the planter already. I know my fybromyalgia is certainly being affected by the hard work....ouch.

EG

At last, the waterline is finished

2011-10-15T21:21:00.001-05:00

The water line has been ran all the way out to the farthest corner of the largest raised bed, and a 50 ft. garden hose will be all that's needed to water it, the 4x9 raised bed by the blackberry patch, all of the swc's, and the entire orchard. Hopefully the totes will get filled a couple of times over the winter months, because I'd like to flush everything out really well.

In other news, my 20 year-old son that I haven't seen in 6 months came to visit, and we ate some good food and watched my Auburn Tigers beat Florida in a really good game. War Eagle!

EG

Late maturing grapes

2011-10-15T05:12:00.001-05:00

My muscadine grapes always do this - quite a few mature later than the main harvest in early September, but it's still quite a surprise...

They get eaten straight off the vine of course, because the numbers aren't high enough for anything else to take place..

In other news, only 25 more feet of water line has to be buried and it'll be complete, and trenching is getting easier as I've gotten in the vicinity of the largest raised bed. Less rocks, etc. out there, and the native soil is much softer there too...Anyway, it should be finished this weekend.

Also, a very special visitor will be coming over to spend some time with, and we'll cook and just have a good ol' time. :)

Garden on October 11th

2011-10-13T19:55:00.002-05:00

Thanks to some much needed rain and adequate sunshine, everything in the garden is doing quite well. Beans, snow peas and broccoli in the photo above are well on their way to hopefully reaching maturity, and the arrival of first frost is certainly on my mind. It should take place sometime within the next two weeks - but you can never tell these days.

In other news, a very special item for the planter was custom made for me today, and regardless of how expensive it was, it turned out perfect.

During the wait I simply took time to get a haircut, and the stylist cut it just the way I like it.

The weekend is drawing near and I can't help but anticipate lots of time spent outdoors on various stuff. Fall weather is for building things, cleaning up, and of course things like digging more trench for the burial of the new water line. I'm ready!

EG

Tomatoes in October

2011-10-12T21:49:00.001-05:00

Several weeks ago, tiny volunteer tomato seedlings emerged in a couple of swc's where plants were grown over the summer, and now are pretty big plants with little green fruit growing. These in the picture above are Rutgers, and although there's no chance that they'll reach maturity before cold weather arrives - fried green tomatoes are highly likely.

I've contemplated growing a plant under lights over the winter indoors, but after thinking about electricity costs to do so - a person has to ask themselves if a few good tomatoes is worth it. Hmm.....Probably not.

In other news, work continues on the proverbial planter each evening after work. At least an hour's worth is accomplished before it starts to get dark outside, and the weekend simply can't get here fast enough. Words simply can't describe how special this planter is gonna be to me, and when you all see it, it's probably going to tug at your heart strings. Whew....it'll definitely be one of a kind! :)

EG

A sneak peek for Robin and Mrs. Ginny

2011-10-11T10:15:00.001-05:00

The current planter construction I'm working on is going very good so far, and details of it provide both suspense and anticipation for fellow bloggers Robin and Gingerbreadshouse7. :) As a matter of fact, I predict the final result to be something that will cause passersby to stop and admire for it's sheer beauty. Indeed, it will become the focal point of the entire property, and be dedicated to the only woman that I'll ever love. Even through the difficult months that recently passed - my heart will always be in her possession.
Anyway, here's a sneak peek at what I'm building.....
EG

Making watering easier

2011-10-10T15:31:00.001-05:00

I'm running an underground water line all the way from the new rain harvesting system out to the north end of the largest raised bed to make my life easier next year, and from there a simple garden hose can be used to water everything with. Sigh....it's gonna be so much easier - like cutting the rope on a big anchor that I've been dragging around.....At $21.95 for a 100' roll of this pex pipe, it's a good investment. Only thing is - digging a 100 ft long trench for it requires a lot of breaks in between digging. Oh well, I'm certainly not afraid of a little work. :)

In other news, this new planter I'm building is gonna be sweet...Tons of work, though!!!! I'm tempted to give you a sneak peek at it - but it would just ruin the surprise. Lol. Sorry, Robin... :)

Also, I'm posting with this new app called blogaway and really like it. Only problem is that it places your pictures at the beginning of the post, and it would take alot of HTML code manipulation to correct it. Oh well, no biggie....

EG

A nice fall harvest

2011-10-09T17:52:00.001-05:00

Another beautiful day was spent outdoors working on various projects around the property, and a quick scan of the garden revealed that quite a few things needed to be picked. In the picture above are zucchini, several varieties of beans, peppers, and a few grapes.

In other news, the planter being constructed is turning out to be quite a challenge since I don't have any woodworking tools (you know, all of those fancy gadgets). However, you'll be surprised at what's possible with standard tools in the backyard of "the mad scientist gardener". You're gonna like this little planter, I bet. :)

EG

A perfect day

2011-10-08T22:59:00.002-05:00

Today was perfect for working outside, and I figure at least 6 hours were spent doing things such as: installing some PVC fittings for the new rainwater system, cutting lots and lots of wood for the new planter, and potting up my Japanese maple trees that are still growing quite nicely. Kinda hard to differentiate tiny trees from the background in the picture above, but there's a total of 19 trees - 2 different varieties....

Lastly, I wanted to point out that more ways to contact me are listed at the top/right side of this page. I'd love to hear from you....

EG

550 more gallons of rainwater storage

2011-10-07T05:46:00.000-05:00

This past season, it was almost impossible for me to meet watering demands for the swc's. Even though 220 gallons of rainwater was in storage when the growing season began, an absence of rainfall quickly depleted everything that had been saved. So, that meant hauling about 20 five gallon buckets filled with municipal water around 200 feet every 3-4 days in 100 degree heat. I'm sure you can imagine how difficult this was for someone with fibromyalgia, and I decided that it would never take place again. A couple of large totes were acquired from work, and a heavy duty support system was constructed for them to sit on. 6x6 posts were concreted in the ground, then 6x6 beams laid on top of those. Since there wasn't enough 6x6's to complete the job, a 4x4 had to be used in the front/center. Just as a precaution, I'll most likely add another 4x4 beside this one so a weak point can be avoided. Afterall, when full these will weigh almost 4,000 lbs. The totes were connected underneath by 1 1/4" PVC pipe, then reduced down to accept a 3/4" spigot for connecting a really long garden hose to. With enough surface area on my parents roof to equal 175 gallons from only 1" of rainfall - these things should stay pretty full most of the time. Oh, and in case you're wondering, these totes (215 lbs each when empty) were put into place by only myself. It was pretty tricky to do - to say the least.

As you might guess from the photo below, the compost auger system was dismantled so the 6x6 posts of the framework could be utilized for the new rainwater catchment system. Besides, the auger didn't work as good as I'd hoped, so the decision to do it was easy.

Afterall, there's 2 bins full of finished compost ready for next year's garden, which means I can let Mother Nature make compost for me from now on. The wood used on these oldest bins is really beginning to deteriorate after 3 years of continuous use, and will likely receive a complete makeover once this current batch is used.

Anyway, gardening is gonna be alot easier for me from now on, and lord knows that I'm ready for it. :)
: Also, it goes without saying that extreme sadness still fills my heart...I imagine a small bit will remain inside until my last days, but still I carry on...Whenever things in life get me down, my feelings are turned into something constructed by these hands. So, I'm going to build another planter on the property which will be perhaps the most beautiful to date. We'll just have to see, I guess. Every angle cut, board attached, and measurement taken will possess all of my ability, and I hope you enjoy it. I don't consider myself as being a woodworker, but things usually turn out ok. Because of the complexity and sheer size, it'll probably take a few weeks to complete....

EG

Things growing right now

2011-10-06T05:18:00.000-05:00

Most years I don't even bother with growing something after August. However, this year is different - especially since staying busy keeps other things off of my mind. Squash seems to do very well in the swc's, and the zucchini in this 18 gallon version has already produced quite a harvest.

Snow peas, broccoli, and bush beans are doing good so far, and there is a planting of these items at each end of the largest raised bed.

Pole beans are growing like crazy in the middle section, and most days the light gusts have these towering vines laid against the removable fencing. Only 1 harvest has been had so far, but hopefully a couple more will come before first frost arrives.

In other news, the new rainwater catchment is finally complete, and I'll show you the results tomorrow. Also, it's almost time for the fall leaf-drop, and I'll be more than ready for the bounty of bagged leaves to start coming in. My goal is to someday have enough finished compost to take 3-5 years off from having to mess with it. That would be nice for this worn out body of mine....

EG

Improving the 4' x 9' raised bed

2011-10-04T05:13:00.000-05:00

First of all, let me clarify something for my readers. I am divorced, and only have Jude in my life now. Yes it's sad, but in the end is just how things are supposed to be, I reckon. :)

Now, for some gardening stuff...... Instead of increasing the size of the garden to make things better, I've been working on making things more efficient, and manageable. Besides, I already have more than I can take care of when the peak of summer arrives. One thing I've learned from the past, is that a deeper garden is always better. So, the 4x9 box next to the woods was the last remaining raised bed to be made deeper, and is now at 11".

Of course my buddy Jude is always eager to help, and her dirty nose clearly shows that she's been after the moles again. Ha. All I have to do now is point to a spot on the ground, and she starts sniffing for moles. God, I sure do love that dog....

I just wish she could zero in on the varmints instead of just digging endlessly. She's ripping the yard a new one - that's for sure...

In closing, I'd like to thank all of my online friends for visiting my little place on the web. It's because of you that I am compelled to share what goes on around here, because we share common ground with this backyard passion of ours. No one here ever understood what all of the excitement was about - but you all do, and always will. :) EG

2011 sweet potato harvest

2011-10-02T21:25:00.000-05:00

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone for the kind words and thoughts in the previous posts' comment section. They were well received, and greatly appreciated. I had worried that readers would not visit again, but thankfully that's not the case. :) Anyway, as stated in the last post, the sweet potatoes were harvested a couple of weeks ago, and some very nice tubers came from the planting.

Of course wireworm damage was found on a few, and here's one that was unearthed during the harvest. Boy, they can really do some damage to a perfectly fine potato, and I'll likely sift through the soil of every raised bed on the property in hopes of killing them so they can't overwinter to damage next year's planting

Jude has really been tearing up the yard in search of more moles, and got #4 for the year a few weeks ago. Even though it's quite a bit of damage to the yard, fixing each spot will give me something to keep busy during the winter months.

Take care, and happy gardening

EG

From an ember to a roaring fire....

2011-10-01T20:13:00.006-05:00

Sometimes motivation comes from things you'd least expect in life, and mine has returned due to recent events. It's just me and Jude now, and a new page in life begins with a strength that has been absent for many years. Stifling restraints have been lifted, and at last I can finally breathe. Each morning I awaken from my slumber to a day of new challenges, but each is simply incinerated by a fire that rages within. The warm, healthy glow keeps the cold, the dark, and ferocious beast at the back of the cave all at bay...Although there are chinks in my armor, I rise from my knees as a champion in the battles of life. EG is back - with the strength of a gladiator and more determined than ever. :)

Anyway, here's some things gone on lately around here....
About 15 lbs. of sweet potatoes came from the 4'x4' planting in the big raised bed, and that's a little less than normally harvested from my 4 containers. Oh well, that's more than enough for myself and parents...

Also, the late planting of squash is producing well, and hopefully I'll get to upload some pictures in the near future. There's also fall plantings of beans, onions, snow peas, and the previous grow cycle of peppers that continues to do well.

The new rainwater catchment is almost finished too, and will add another 550 gallons to the current 220 gallons on hand. Next year's garden will be bigger, better, and easier to care for after this fall......

Take care, and happy gardening

EG

When laughter is but a distant memory

2011-09-13T17:00:00.001-05:00

Life has been quite difficult for a while now, and I assure you that it's nobody's fault but my own. Although my hands and mind can do great things at times - it's the simple chores in life that I struggle with. I don't care to elaborate more, but the raging fire that motivates me to blog about things is but an ember these days. My sails have no wind, and for now I can only drift toward the almost unreachable beacon that faintly glows in the distance. Barely a glimmer of hope, it signals to me amidst the crashing of waves - guiding me to port so that the lashings can be bound more tightly next time.......
Rarely does the context from a completed day bear substance worth remembering now, and each simply subsides as the next immortalizes.
Still, I trudge onward - making each opportunity to mend what's broken as important as the sun is to each and every flower. Needless to say, the road is both difficult and long, but perserverance and understanding will hopefully awaken me from this horrible nightmare... If not, then my only wish is for others to receive comfort somehow - as others have been affected even more than myself. :(

Sigh.......Anyway, lots of canning has been done over the past few weeks, and I felt the need to make pear preserves again since the last batch was cooked a little bit too long. The golden color below is more like it, and the previous batch was gladly discarded.

I also made a batch of pear honey - which is something I've never tried before. It's supposed to be really good on biscuits, but has yet to be tried....

The spot between the plum and pear trees has been screaming for something to be planted there, and what better way to locate the center spot, than by stretching twine between the existing trees. I know, just a little bit extreme, but I am full blown Ocpd ya know....

Since Lowes was having a clearance sale on trees for $5 each, I went ahead and planted one peach tree in the spot, and another one close to the planter bench. They'll look rough for a while, but will be just fine as long as they are watered regularly.

Figured I'd take a picture of Jude happily chewing on one of my boards. I should really play with her more than I do, but just don't feel like much playing these days. There's just too much to do around here for one person, and I do good to make it through each day by myself.

The trellises for next year's tomatoes have been built, and you can see a couple of construction posts I put together for them at the new links on the right side of this page. I hope some of you get something from them, because I tried to be as detailed as possible.

The grapes came in a few weeks ago too, and I managed to make a few jars of jelly and syrup for the pantry. I don't know how on earth I'll be able to eat everything preserved, and will likely give a few jars away to family members later. A link to a post on the jelly can be found on the right side of this page also, and I hope you enjoy it as well....

In closing I'd like to say that I don't know how often I'll be writing over the next few weeks, and guess it depends whether my personal life improves. However, I will write again, and hope that all of my readers will still be here....

EG

Last ditch effort

2011-08-18T13:08:00.000-05:00

Cooler days have arrived, and evenings in the garden are actually pleasant for a change. Jude is enjoying the temperatures too, and requires much more time playing Frisbee until tired. Not much is left in the garden these days, but it's possible to get another round of squash in before frost arrives later. One thing that always makes me smile is volunteer tomato seedlings that always sprout from seeds that find their way into the soil.

Here's a zucchini plant that was started amongst the late round of corn a few weeks ago. It's got a legitimate shot at producing something before late October, and is doing quite well in the swc.

See this little stinker below? It's a volunteer that sprouted in the main raised bed, and was carefully relocated here. I'm thinking it's yellow crookneck, but will have to wait and see...

Below are the pear peelings left from making the pear butter the other day. They're a great addition to the compost piles, and we'll get this batch heated back up in a few weeks. I really look forward to tending to the piles over the cold months, because it keeps me busy during the off-season.

In other news, the new trellises are coming along nicely. Cooler temps have allowed me to work on the project in the evenings after work, and I'll put together the blog post on it when finished. Due to having to use my phone for everything now, every picture has to be uploaded at the same time. I'm thinking around 20 pictures should do it, hopefully.

Also, if I haven't visited anyone's blog lately, it's not because I don't want to. Circumstances in my life right now leave less time to do so, and taking care of my own blog is even difficult. Sorry....

Take care, and happy gardening

EG