I was digging a hole to plant a okra plant and I had to stop because I hit a rocky patch. Actually the whole area is kind of rocky and digging is no fun. Rocks!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Normally in this situation I would use a concrete chisel and break the stone to smaller bits but this time I borrowed the mini jack hammer to do the job. It did not help. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Nope it did not help, it just made hole in the stone without breaking it. Sigh..... After some hammering and working around the obstacle, I managed to remove it in halves. I have to dig deeper than usual because planting in this stony conditions is just like planting in a pot even though it is in the ground. Final result ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) I wanted to go in 2 feet but I only managed 14~15 inches I think. I intent to fill it with 30% compost and 70% topsoil which I hope to get from somewhere. Right now I am not able to do anything in the mini-farm because it had been taken over by the building contractor. Hijacked!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Iron rods on the ground ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Building material everywhere!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) I have to stop all my activities in the mini farm except for watering the plants. It is really dangerous to walk around the mini-farm now with all those building materials all over the place and the danger of being poked by nails. The mess is getting worst as the construction proceed. My poor plants having to endure this situation and to make situation worst it had not rained for more than 6 weeks or so. Yes, the Mini-Farm is hijacked.
Let's hope the construction work won't take too long. Fingers crossed your plants survive all the turmoil and that you'll soon have your mini farm back.
Oh dear, KK. Best thoughts and wishes for the job to get done quickly and that it will rain soon. Watering is no fun when it gets this dry. Sometimes I fill old milk jugs and poke a little hole in the bottom to "trickle water" when it is really dry and the hose isn't going to water slow enough to let it soak in. What kind of remodeling project do you have going on there that they need that wire or rebar or whatever those long skinny things are laying in piles in your yard? Are you putting on an addition?
What a mess! But if you need more holes dug where there are rocks, maybe the construction crew could loan you some heavy duty tools? :-D Good luck with the mini-farm it is looking good.
I am curious about the rebar too. Looks like your going to pour a lot of concrete. Wow! just noticed that concrete trench around your deck,,what a good place to grow salad greens,radishes,and other stuff. That's where I would grow okra, Would also serve as a privacy screen.
KK, Can you "water" the area you want to dig out before you start digging?. I have found that damp earth digs much easier than bone dry ground.
Thank you all, now it is a so near yet so far case for me ... I can see what is going on but can't do anything to protect my plants as the materials keep on piling in. Thanks Sjoerd, yes I will definitely get it back but it might take a long long while to rehabilitate it. It will take about 2 months Eileen and I am doing my best to keep my plants going. Those in containers are quite safe but those on the ground have a tough time. Thanks. Carolyn thank you. I don't mind the watering part but having to negotiate my way around the building materials and debris is the hard part especially I water with a watering can. I wish for the rain but I think the contractors wish otherwise. We are having our kitchen and the car porch extended. Currently the kitchen is really tiny and since we love to eat and cook we need to have a decent size kitchen :-D . The car porch now can only accommodate a car and we need space for at least 2 cars and some junks. Those long skinny things are for the frame work and will be buried in concrete for reinforcement. I'll try to post a photo of it later because the first batch had already go in. Thanks Cherylad, it is almost impossible to dig any hole at the moment because almost the whole place is covered with building material, machinery and debris. Thanks Mart, I'll post photos about the rebar when it is available. Yes lots of concrete were poured in and when they are done there would be no place to plant anything there except in containers. As for privacy it is not a problem for me because all the houses windows are heavily tinted. I cannot see into the windows and if anyone is observing me I wouldn't know anyway. Hi again Carolyn, I don't think it will make a difference because it is not earth I'm digging but just pure stony ground. Sometimes the hoe just bounces back on impact.
Wow, what' a challenge with your rocky- soil? Glad you got to harvest those lovely greens before all the construction started. I hate remodels while they are going on, but always feels so wonderful once they are finished.
Thanks Jewell I'm counting the days even though I have no idea when it will be done! Sjoerd, the first phase was to the bathrooms and it was internal and it was really dusty in the house so I spent most of my time outside and get lots done in the mini-farm. Now the second phase is to extend the kitchen and car porch. The kitchen is really tiny, we can't even put our oven in and it is really crowded when 2 person is in it. The car porch can only accommodate one car leaving no space for other things. Now I have my small tool cupboard at the side of the car porch and when the car is in it, it is impossible to open the cupboard or the car door on the side where the cupboard is. After all this is done and the mini-farm rehabilitated, it would definitely be Home-Sweet-Home :-D Carolyn, Mart they did not work on with the rebar yesterday so no photos yet... maybe today.
Oké KK...I see. Well mate, I wish you lotsa strength in the interim. It sounds as if it is going to be to be very nice inside once all the work is completed.
Whoops, that didn't look too good, but as you say, once it's done it's going to be very good. Good luck.
