Welcome back to Part 2 of My Gardening Journal.  I've worked on this project while you were gone. I measured and drew a plan of my vegetable garden, noted the directions of the compass, noted the hours of full sun, part sun, and shade during the day.  I also tested my soil with a store-bought kit, added a measured amount of compost and new soil.  I added the location of vegetables and herbs I intend to plant, and set my moveable irrigation lines with exchangeable risers, spray, and drip heads.  I'm sorry you missed all the heavy lifting.  Just teasing!  There is no heavy lifting in my imaginary garden, but when it comes to getting a REAL start, I promise to give you a call!

So you can see all of the work I've done, just page forward.  Keep moving so you can see how much work there is to creating and journaling an imaginary garden. Let me know when you are caught up, I'm going to get a glass of lemonade.

1. Plan with compass, direction of the sun and notations regarding sunlight and shade.

2. Measure each of the raised beds.

3. Test soil.

4. Estimate amount of compost, fresh soil, and fertilizer I will need and the cost of each. Amend the soil with the compost and fresh soil.

5. Finalize my plant list, note planting location on a measured drawing, buy the plants, set them in planting locations.  Confirm spacing of each plant, dig holes for each of the 4” plants, mix a little of the fertilizer and finally, get them planted.  Sprinkle snail bait or Diatomaceous earth, yellow sticky traps, and pest control as needed like dampened rolled up newspaper.  Set aside the stakes and ties for use down the road as needed.

6. Set up my irrigation system from materials on hand including my timer.  Test and repair leaks.

7. Stand back and turn on the irrigation system.  Make final adjustments if needed a take some pleasure in all the work I completed.

8. Add up all my costs to date. 

9. Make a list of future costs for this first summer season.

Yes, I journaled as I went because there is no sense in waiting until the very end of the project.  I'll keep journaling brief notes until I pull out the last of the dead plants which should be in November.