A little more dirt talk

So, as I said in my last post, I was off to plan an herb garden area. I figured I did need to write about it, drama or no drama, just because it may turn out to be an integral part of my life and cooking. I am crossing my fingers here and hoping hard!!!
This is the plot of land I chose, just outside my back door.

Yes, it looks like a harmless piece of property, but lurking beneath the tranquil soil was deeply rooted evil.

Okay, maybe you should know a few things about me before I continue this post.

I am not much of a manual laborer. I mean I can work hard like the best of them, and do in fact consider myself a hard working person, but...
Well, let's just say digging ditches is not the job for me...unless you bring along a backhoe or front loader or a nice fellow with a shovel.

Luckily, I snookered, I mean lovingly convinced my sister in law that I needed her help on this project, and let her have a go at the hardest parts of the work.
(I mean, she is a good 15+ years younger than me and much better suited for hard labor, right?? right!)
Also, I hate the feeling of dirt on my hands. I know some of you think it is groovy, but not me. Now don't get me wrong, I had my share of days in the dirt.
I distinctly remember shaping little dirt clods, and making cute little families with them. Pretending the day away!
I have gotten past that.
I must say that I really didn't even enjoy my pottery classes in college for this very reason.
So, you get the point there, I imagine.

Luckily we didn't run into any grubs.
Ick, that is the biggest reason not to dig in the dirt.
Blech, ick, gross.
Grubs are so disgusting, especially if you happen to chop one in half accidentally.
Imagine me doing the cringing, head shaking, jumping around on both feet, wringing my hands dance at this point. Grubs and roaches...ick!
This was just way out of my comfort zone for so many reasons.
BUT, I figured it was gonna be up to me to make it happen, as the cute fellow with the shovel happens to work all week and has lots to do on the weekend besides planting a few herbs. Not that he wouldn't, but I figured I could take that job off his list!

So, we cleared this area of the square concrete blocks that were covering it and looked on it with promise.

Then we started digging. Oh boy!! Just look at this...



Do you see that big daddy of a root right there??? Notice how it compares to the size of the rakish type tool over to the right. The crazy thing is that we had no idea this would be there, as there is no corresponding tree in the yard. I mean, not a tree in any direction. Apparently this root used to have a tree to belong to. After talking to our neighbor I found out that this lot lost quite a few trees in the past few years and hurricanes.
Well, this root was still firmly holding onto the ground despite having nothing growing above ground to need its support. I am sure there is a lovely analogy there, or a deep meaning we could attach to it, but I just don't have time for that type of meaningful banter today.
So, my awesome sister in law hacked away at it with our rather dull axe until "we" got it to a reasonable size!
I am sure a master gardener type person would have taken the time to completely remove the root and put down topsoil or something, but I am no pro here, I just wanted my herbs in the dirt as quickly as possible so I could go in and wash my hands!

Here are a few of the things we planted.

Orange mint


Oregano


Here is a bit of an aerial view so you can see how it is laid out. Those two big plants in the middle are not herbs, but they got stuck in the dirt that day too. They are yellow and orange bell pepper!! YUM.


Notice the scroll work garden stakes behind each plant? Yeah, that is an attempt to keep my neph-dog Dexter who likes to come over to play off of the plants directly. It may or may not help, but it made me feel better. He will get some training on this matter soon!

I also got cilantro, variegated lemon thyme, lemon balm and a very struggling cutting of rosemary put in.
As of today, a full 5 days later all but the rosemary (which is fully brown and kinda crispy-ish) seem to be happy in their hastily made new home.
The peppers both have a little nub of a fruit (okay I know it is actually a vegetable but work with me here). The cilantro has new growth which is actually standing up and not laying on the ground looking weary!! This is progress!
The lemon and orange herbs look like they have been to a day at the spa, I think they really like it here!!
Well, I am sure I will keep ya posted on how this turns out, as well as what I will be cooking up with these willing participants!
Today the lemon balm is gonna get thrown in with a chicken, lemon pasta dish! Speaking of that, I better get busy on that, it is almost lunch time!

Oh, and Big J, sorry I killed the rosemary! More please???