Patio: Step One

One of the goals we have for this year is to lay a patio in our backyard.  Plans have been mapped out, discussed, and agreed upon.  Quality time has been spent researching paver options, cost, color, as well as paver patterns.  A watchful eye was kept on the paver/cobble listings on Craigslist, too.

A listing for granite cobble stones on Craigslist caught my eye last week.  *click*   As I read the details of the listing I knew I had found the right material for our patio.  The cobbles are reclaimed Chicago street pavers.  Perfect!  Being that they're granite, they're certainly durable, and far more durable than a precast cement paver.  Loads more life, warmth and personality than cement pavers or cobblestones, too.  I must see them, I thought, and inquire where in Chicago they came from.  Price was a concern, too.

A nice fellow by the name of Kyle met with me at his landscaping yard.  Kyle led me to a substantial pile of pavers, some nearly black in color, some light gray, and others a pinkish-gray color.  From the dimensions provided on Craigslist I expected the cobbles to be hefty, and they were, but what surprised me somewhat is how heavy they are.  Granite is dense and heavy, yes, but these suckers must weigh close to forty pounds a piece.  Picking one up using one hand was practically impossible.  All I kept thinking is, yes, this is what we will create a patio with.  A photo of one cobble was taken and a thumbs-up from my beloved was given.  The next move was to act fast because those beauties would not be available for very long.  A Sears kit home with a backyard patio made from Chicago street pavers sounds ideal to my honey and me.

700 granite cobbles were delivered this morning!  A six-wheel dump truck backed in our driveway and carefully unloaded the heavy haul.  Three sheets of plywood lay on the driveway to help absorb the blow of the first layer of cobbles that crashed on the ground.  The sound of those stones tumbling out of the truck and to the ground was incredible.  It was also impressive how Kyle, using hand signals, and the driver communicated to gently -as you can with granite blocks- dump the load on our driveway.  I was grinning ear-to-ear then, and am doing so now, out of sheer excitement because their delivery signals the beginning of our patio project.  Hurrah!

Seeing the cobbles compared to the hand truck
gives a better impression of their size.

A muted rosy color.
Deeper than wide, and only one smooth surface.
The vertical brick at bottom-center is "face up"  Once street-side, soon to be our patio surface.

We rather like the asymmetrical shape of the cobbles.  The nonuniform shapes will give us a natural and more interesting looking patio.  We will have the cobbles laid in a classic running bond pattern, likely the same patten they were laid to form Fulton Street between Halsted and Des Plaines.

Now, this pile just needs to be moved into the garage for safe keeping until we can break ground.

Compost magic

Composting excites me.  The process of organic matter breaking down and becoming humus, which can then be used to amend garden soil, fascinates me.  Everything returns to the Earth, if we allow it.

There is a particular composting bin that I've coveted for some time now.  It's large, barrel-shaped, and easily rolls on its base to mix the contents within.  This compost bin excites me as much as the thought of a new pair of Frye boots.  We have a compost bin but it is on the small side and, presently, chock full.  Probably too full for efficient decomposition.  Forget stirring what's in the bin, too.  At least a quarter of the organic matter would likely end up on the ground and, trust me, would not be fun getting back into the bin.  It is a chore that would need to be done otherwise a host of wild animals would be invited to have a smorgasbord in the backyard.

Because our small bin is full, to the point that the lid barely closed (scraps from Thanksgiving were the last to be added), fruit and vegetable scraps have been thrown in the garbage since December. Typing that sentence made me squirm in my seat.  The act of adding organic scraps to the garbage, because they aren't garbage, left me wracked with guilt.  It was time to purchase the Holy Grail of compost bins.

Last week the Compost Wizard was delivered to our home.  I was giggling while opening the box and practically did a little dance after pulling the barrel from the large box.  Once the barrel and its base were out of the box, I promptly carried them to the backyard, wearing my Frye garden boots, and set it in place for use.

The bin rests securely on its base but can also be removed and rolled around the yard to deposit compost where it's needed.  The functionality of this bin makes me extremely happy.  By July, and again in September, I anticipate being able to spread the soils equivalent of chocolate cake around in the garden and flower beds.

Now, I'm off to add a large bowl containing egg shells, onion skins, a shredded egg carton, grapefruit skins, and banana peels to the The Wizard.

Papaver somniferum

Poppies!  Doesn't everyone wish for a field of poppies in their yard?  We certainly do.  They're one of our favorite flowers.

Years ago, while visiting Allerton Park, my beloved and I were wowed by a vast field of large scarlet poppies in one of their many gardens.  We loved poppies already but after seeing that particular display we've desired to create a small field of our own ever since.

This year marks the beginning of poppy freak out!  Several plants of three different Oriental varieties (bright orange, scarlet, and a couple peach flowers) already grace a flower bed in the front yard, but this year we're going to attempt to grow three varieties of heirloom poppies from seed.

The poppy varieties that we will attempt to start from seed are Cherry Glow, Heirloom, and Mexican Tulip 'Sunlite'.  In May, we will receive one plant each of Imperial Pink and Lauren's Grape.  Now, we just have to decide where our poppy field will be grown.

2013 garden planning officially begins!

It's decided - Brussels sprouts will not be grown in Wright Gardens this year.  As much as I love eating those delectable miniature cabbages, I've just not had luck growing them.

During the past two summers, the sprouts have never formed into compact heads.  I suspect the summer and fall temperatures were not cold enough.  Rather than sacrifice space in the garden this year, not to mention nutrients from the soil, I will leave the growing of Brussels sprouts to others with more acreage and experience with that particular Brassica oleracea.

Okra is tasty in jambalaya and gumbo, and the plant has beautiful flowers, but it will not be grown in the garden this year either.  Beans will be grown instead.  Beans for drying, to be exact!  The beans we've selected are:

Cherokee Trail of Tears

Good Mother Stallard Pole

Hidatsa Red Indian

Brockton Horticultural

To grow these beans I'm going to plant them according to Iroquois 'Three Sisters' method.  The three sisters are corn, beans, and winter squash.  To sum up why these three plants work so well together, the corn stalks act as living supports for the beans; the beans pull nitrogen from the air that benefits all three plants; and as the squash leaves shade the ground surrounding all three plants, they help keep moisture in the soil as well as weeds at bay.

The following web sites expound upon this ancient philosophy-

The Old Farmer's Almanac

LeslieLand.com

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA):  Download the free .pdf file.
The "Ancient Companions" section begins on page six; however, all of the information included in the document is interesting.  This web site is also mentioned in the Leslie Land article.  (I can't figure out how that acronym works either.)

The corn that will be grown in this trio of plantings is Seneca Red Stalker.  It's very colorful and, if all goes well, we should have plenty to share with family and friends for fall decorations.

Wright Gardens is going to become larger this year and I couldn't be more thrilled!

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

The Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs web site can help you locate a CSA and/or a local Cooperative.

LocalHarvest.org is a great resource for local farms, CSAs, events, goods, etc.

Community Gardens

Are you interested in starting a community garden in your neighborhood, or just looking for an established one in your area?  The American Community Gardening Association can help answer your questions.

A quiet moment watching the snow fall.

Gardening tools

Gardening tools are essential and having a few well-made tools are important.  I work my gardening tools and selected them accordingly.  While digging up carrots, of all things, my spading fork snapped in half.  I was left holding the handle while the tines remained in the soil.  The spading fork is my go-to tool; she is the most versatile and was used the most.  I was crestfallen!  Thankful, however, the fork didn't break until the end of the season, and it did last seven seasons.  Still, I expected a much longer life.

Part of my gardening plans include replacing my garden fork.  With any luck I will find an all-steel construction version.

Included below is a list of companies who sell gardening tools and supplies.  Have fun browsing around, shopping and, ultimately, gardening!

Red Pig Garden Tools & Blacksmith: This company makes their tools by hand!  To quote their web page - "We use steel, fire, an anvil and good, honest sweat."  They'll even make a custom tool for you if you don't see what you're looking for.  Yes, please.  I will own a Red Pig tool.  Perhaps the 2-Tine Hand Weeding Fork?

Corona Tools:  "Founded in the early 1920s, Corona, Inc. is a leader in the marketing and manufacturing of professional and consumer tools for the lawn and garden, landscape, irrigation, construction and agriculture markets." 

Ames True Temper: "With a history that spans more than 230 years, Ames' growth and operation parallels the expansion of the United States in both peace and wartime."

Seymour Manufacturing Company: "Founded in 1872, Seymour Manufacturing makes lawn and garden hand tools, replacement handles, and fireplace accessories for a wide range of home, farm, commercial and industrial applications."

Council Tool:  "For 125 years, Council tool in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina has been manufacturing some of the finest American made tools available.  As one of the oldest forging operation in the United States, Council tool was founded by John Pickett Council in 1886 and fourth generation Council family members manage the company today."

Clarington: English made garden tools since 1780.