New Volunteers Help With Irrigation

 

I was supposed to have a group come out to help with my irrigation this morning,  but for the first time ever I had a no-show no-call group.  Bummer.  Luckily, however, my SOS request for help with spreading compost last week turned out two new volunteers and together we set up the drip tape lines for all my short rows.  Doesn't the above photo look like a braided mess of black?  It wasn't, thankfully!

We quickly ran the drip tape up and down all 15 of my short rows and set up irrigation for my renters and for my crops.  Pictured here is a rented row that was planted by 3 generations while we set up the irrigation.  I love when gardening is a multi-generational activity!  It makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

Unfortunately, the water is still not working correctly out there.  The folks at Brighton NC Machine were working on it all afternoon and still were not able to fix the problems.  Apparently they are calling in The Experts to fix it.  ...does not sound good to me...  But, though a series of special buttons and tricks, I can operate the small garden  hose and hand water.  Since many of my renters planted their rows already, and their transplants need some TLC while young, I took the time to set up my  newly donated sprinkler (talk about timing for that donation!) and hand watered all the rows that were planted.  I think I will have to do this for a while still.

Not being one that can sit idly by doing nothing, I spent the time trimming the over-grown grass that has grown along the flower entrance, around our shade structure, compost bins, and a few other places.  It looks so much tidier now that the grass is trimmed.  I also weeded some of the peas and dug out some of the grasses and clover that has grown along the main walkway. 

Things are taking shape, and next week I have three days schedule with groups to plant the garden.  So excited to finally get things in the ground!