Hi all,
I haven't posted much lately because I've been very busy working on a
project. In early October (2018), my community garden was gifted with 30 dwarf fruit
trees. We didn't really have room for all of them, so I suggested we plant them in the "alley", a path that runs alongside the north part of the garden. It connects the street to the school playground and library, and is mainly used as a dog poopery.
The soil here is mostly sand. I wouldn't even call it sandy dirt, it's more like dirty sand. This whole area was sand dunes until the 50's. I planted the little baby trees along the north side of the alley. Then I proceeded to mulch them with
wood chips, which we get for free, by the truckload. It has taken me 5 months, but I have finally covered an area about 8 feet wide and 1
city block long in a one foot deep layer of wood chips! I am quite proud of myself, being a naturally quite lazy person. I am so excited about these little trees, and I really want them to do well. The first trees to reward me have been the pluots, which are now in bloom. I am so hoping we get fruit, as this is not the best climate for fruit trees.
I'm now working my way down the south side of the alley, which has quite a few
apple trees and other shrubs, like buddleia.
I plan on buying some bags of manure to top dress in April? Would that would be a good time?
Here are some pictures of when I first started, last October. I need to get some new pix.