2009-08-15 Farmer Adria's Report

This weekend was a big step forward for the DHS Community Garden. After discussing the creation of a larger open garden plot, we ultimately decided it would be best to clear the entire area of kudzu & brush, and put in several terraced plots.

So on Friday, I began work on clearing the lot. By Sunday I had worked over 16 hours and finished up just before a rain storm moved in.

Below are a few pictures and Youtube videos of the work being done. Hope you enjoy!




The machine I'm using here is a ASV RC-85.. it's a wonderful invention. This ASV is not quite as heavy as the equipment you see working on roadways, and has rubber tracks instead of the heavy steel pads on the bigger machines. But it can do jobs that smaller tractors wouldn't dream of completing. It's pretty easy to switch out the bucket attachment for the brush grapple (which I'm using in these pictures) or other tools. So they are pretty versatile too.





After the top layer of dirt & kudzu heads were scraped aside, I used the grapple rake to break up the hardened clay in the areas were the gardens would go. Even with a 5 ton, 85 horsepower track loader - breaking up the hardpan was very difficult. Imagine using shovels and picks to do the same work!




And a few Youtube videos: