I was grateful today for help preparing the raised garden bed for planting. The cedar box was completed Monday. All that was lacking was soil and then I could plant the health boosting veggies grouped on my deck.
My friend Tim arrived this morning with his pickup truck, and a wllingness to help. He and Greg spent time checking out the best options for dirt to fill the 4×8 boxes, one for me and one for my sister Linda. I appreciate both of them taking time out of their days to offer assistance.
The best option available was bringing in a truckload of rich compost, which is provided free of charge by the city. And then adding a truckload of topsoil, available by the scoop from The Rock Yard, in Joplin.
Thanks to Greg and Tim, the raised beds were ready to plant. I had a commitment this afternoon. And Linda had not arrived home yet from work. We were splitting some 4 packs of veggies but Linda had several favorites she still wanted to purchase. We intended to get together this evening, when we were both available, to complete her purchases and then plant our garden beds.
Before leaving the house, I used the fun plant chart I created to lay out the veggies and melons. My gray cat Angel was intrigued by the box full of dirt and insisted on “helping”. I was excited to sow seeds and dig in my new garden, getting the plants in before dark.
My only concern was the weather. I checked my phone’s weather app frequently throughout the day. Thunderstorms were expected late this evening, settling in for the day tomorrow. I really wanted to get the plants into the bed before the rain began.
One certainty about Missouri is that the weather can shift quickly. I watched the sky darken as I headed home. The line of thunderstorms appeared to be arriving earlier than expected. I don’t mind gardening in a light to moderate rain. I don’t work outside though when lightning is present.
My sister and I were headed to her house with her newly purchased plants when the first bolt of lightning forked from cloud to ground. A rumble of thunder followed. Darn! Plans shifted with the arrival of the first storm. Linda dropped me off at my house.
So close! I had plants laid out, ready to go. I just needed 30 minutes to get them tucked into the dirt. I can be very stubborn in my determination. Tomorrow’s forecast is 100% thunderstorms. Friday’s is 50%. I eyed the mass of gray clouds, watched the weather app as the front moved through, and checked in intuitively.
I am not recommending that anyone else challenge the weather, especially when lightning is present. The line of thunderstorms moved off to the south. Although there was a light, steady rain falling, a planting window of opportunity appeared, free from lightning. I went for it.
I was scattering the last packets of seeds when the light rain became heavier and lightning flickered again to the southwest. Time to finish up. I snapped a pic and took cover, just as the next front rolled through. Perfect timing.
Drink up little bedded plants!
