Major Repair To Raised Bed. 24 Dec 24.

 This raised bed has been very helpful.  It's at a good height that I can work the soil and p,ants much more easily.  Also keeping weeds controlled and managing the irrigation.

Unfortunately underground animals undermined the side, and it was in danger of falling.

My initial thought was to make it narrower too, but that would have involved moving too much heavy soil.  So I decided to, just repair it.

That involved moving all of the blocks on that side, as well as the corners. Then I leveled and tamped the soil under the blocks.  When moles dig tunnels under the cinder blocks, they push the soil up into the blocks, leaving a hollow underneath resulting in leaning.  So I added a (recycled) hard foam underlayment to prevent them from moving the soil into the blocks.  I wanted to add posts or rebar inside the blocks, but didn't have any on hand.  I might, later.

Then I re-laid the cinder blocks.  That actually took a few efforts to make them straight and even, and match the corner blocks.   I had to dis-assemble part of both ends, down to soil level, to make it work.

Then I rebuilt the side.

I'm pretty happy with this result.  I haven't re-filled the soil there.  I will leave some open for trench composting through the winter.

The capstones are easily removed if I can find some posts or rebar for better stability.

Lavender Seedlings. 19 Dec 24.

 I repotted the first batch of lavender seedlings.  These are Vicenza Blue and Bandera Deep Rose.

I used a good quality, regular potting mix (Black Magic, I think).  I continue to keep them under LEDs.

These are slower than the Pelargoniums, but not at all difficult.  They just need some patience.

Geranium (Pelargonium) Seedling Update. 19 Dec 24.

 Spring is a LONG way away.  These didn't need to be started so soon.  But they are fun.

These are the Maverick varieties, Red, Coral, White.

They may need repotting soon.  I think they will start to bloom in early Spring.

Winter Care For Container David Austin Roses. 19 Dec 24.

I pruned back the container David Austin roses.  Removed old rose leaves and mulch.  Re-mulched with chestnut leaves.

Now I think they are ready for winter.  I have them in a sheltered location, out direct sun (north side of shed, on concrete base) to avoid freeze/thaw cycles and prevent warming sun from causing coming out of dormancy too soon, which can cause frost injury.

I  the Spring, I may prune back further,

Repairing the Big Raised Bed. 19 Dec 24.

 This raised bed developed a sagging side.   I was concerned it might fall.  I had to remove the entire side, and re-start from the bottom up.

My original plan was to make it more narrow, because it's hard to reach the muddle.  But this is too much hard physical labor for an old, handicapped guy like me.  

I had to use that steel fencepost to pry the lower blocks out.

I can see that moles undermined the outside side, causing the soil to sink.  I'll fill in the gaps with lava gravel, which I hope is more difficult for moles to dig.  Then re-build in place.

I can mulch the difficult-to-reach area so it doesn't need much care this year.  It's not a lot.

I'd like to finish before the soil freezes, but I need a break first.