The First Tilling

I tilled for several hours yesterday and expanded the garden by two thirds.  I decided that if I was going to work the soil I might as well work an ample amount so that if I want to use more space I can.  This is just the first tilling after setting for a year and some of it the first time in many years.  The neighbor told us at one time the man who lived here had the entire yard plowed with a tractor.  I don't know if it was the same area or closer to the house where I am standing taking the picture.  There was an old peach orchard which might have consisted of only a few tree's I do not know in the back of the property we are told.  We found evidence as I posted in another post somewhere when we planted some apple tree's that sadly did not survive and came up with a shovel full of peach pits.

It is supposed to be cool and rainy this week but when I can I will till this up again several more times.  The soil has not been worked to the proper depth.  I can really tell where we spread the horse manure earlier this spring.  The weeds are incredibly dense and hard to till through!  Each year we plan on laying out the garden so that we can pass through with the tiller but want to put in a variety of foods and end up not allowing enough room.  I do not want to have this problem again.  I also plan to put a permanent strawberry bed in and herb garden.  I have grown strawberries for many years in the past and really miss them.  I plan to have a bit of corn as well so after the space is used for these three alone the actual garden space won't seem nearly as big.  I would rather use the property for producing something useful than have more grass to mow!  I want to make sure we have plenty of produce after bug damage and critters to stock our pantry and share with others.  I love sharing garden produce with others. :)