I have been doing a lot of reading this past winter so that when it was time to go out and beginning digging in the earth I would be ready at the starting gate.  This year I am trying a new process that will hopefully make my garden so much more productive.  I have decided to go with "no-till" gardening in permanent beds.  As such I have the front garden leveled, outlined and assembled.  Here is what I have so far:

Keep in mind that this is the preliminary stages.  I don't have the soil spaded, the new topsoil/manure/peatmoss mixed in, and the grass clipping spread on top.  In this picture you can still see weeds and the soil looks terrible.  In another week the beds will be ready to plant on Memorial Day and I need to get weed barrier and mulch for the pathways.  So far I like the idea and the look.  Through my research, I have been reading up on worm-farms (thanks in part to my friend Renee who got me hooked on the idea) and in that research I found that rototilling the soil causes the worms to be chopped up when they die or get eaten by birds.  Also, the micro-organisms and the beneficial bacteria in th soil gets all messed up.  So, I am going to try my hand at a new technique...new for me anyway.

Until next time....
I wish for you quiet, dignity, and grace.

DR