The day dawned cool and rainy -- too rainy for the rototiller. That meant lots of heavy labor breaking sod and turning soil.
Sarah Bailey, West Hartford Master Gardener Coordinator, hopped to the task and soon had the first bed free of sod. The other three workers chipped away shovel by shovel.
As the morning progressed, what started off as four workers doubled in number as more Barkhamsted Historical Society members strolled out back to see the progress.
The heavy clay soil was turned over and composted chicken manure, 10-10-10 fertilizer, and lime incorporated to amend the soil.
A restoring lunch of cassoulet, bread, and ice tea was enjoyed by everyone and the garden was soon planted.
For a finishing touch, a tripod of eight-foot cedar poles was placed in the outside corner of the southwest bed where Scarlet Runner Beans were sown. Cardinal Climber seedlings were planted and trained to the poles to get a head start on adding some color.
The day was complete with good company, good food, and a feeling of satisfaction with a job well done.
