The Plot

Our plot seemed a bit neglected. It was completely covered in a wide assortment of weeds including the dreaded quack grass. Back at home, Internet research indicated that any attempt to get rid of quack grass quickly without using noxious chemicals would result in multiplying the root system and exponentially worsening the problem. Despair nearly overwhelmed the team. What could we do?

Mark developed a plan. We would cover the entire plot with black plastic, which would warm the soil, causing the weeds to germinate. Then we would go in and pull them. A clean and thorough kill.

Consulting one of our many complex scheduling matrices, we noted that this plan had a fatal flaw. You Always Plant Peas on Presidents Day. Turns out, that's in February, just a few short weeks away. Nothing was going to germinate between now and then. Plan B involved pulling back the black plastic, not easy because it was covered in sheets of ice, and pulling, hoeing, digging out the weeds as best we could. Then we pulled the plastic back on, hoping for a few degrees of added soil temperature.


One positive to Plan B was that we got to know our soil a little better. It's pretty gorgeous and full of happy earthworms and nightcrawlers, always an indicator of happy soil filled with organic material. But what kind of soil is it, really? How do we know what amendments are required? Do we operate by the seat of our pants, or do we call in the soil scientists?