Barring any sudden jarring changes to my life, currently my sentiment is that plot 63P will be an asset for multiple years. As mentioned in my previous post, I’ve never had the same plot over multiple seasons, which means plot 63P brings with it a different outlook and a different mindset. My mindset is now rooted in knowing this is a plot I can not only use for growing, but it’s worth my time to improve where needed. As with most abandoned plots, there are usually some things in disrepair. Now that the initial shock to the system around landing the new plot has come and gone, it’s time to get a lay of the land and see what all we’re working with.
Here’s a full view of 63P. We’ve got 4 basic raised beds (“the suburbs”) of which 3 are the standard 4×8’ and 1 that’s 4×7’ closest to the entry that I’m guessing had a foot shaved off for some room to step into the plot. Then there’s one smaller raised bed (“the apartment”) clocking in at 3×5’ which lies in the shadow of the massive U-shaped raised bed (“the mansion”) which has some wonky sizing. The long and wide side is 4×11’, the long skinny side is 2×10’ and the connector bit is 2×2.5’.
All in all there is roughly 208’ of raised bed growing space. It’s honestly a lot to soak in and if I let my mind start to wander to vertical growing potential then my brain will implode.
Most of the raised beds are fully intact, which is comforting knowing at a minimum I can at least grow stuff without having to bring in a construction crew. However some of the raised beds have seen better days, with boards that sag or are disconnected. Have no fear little boards! Your new Fearless Leader will have you fixed in no time. Well, maybe some time. Ok an undetermined amount of time. Just… give me some time boards, ok?
There’s quite a collection of coiled hoses and a stack of cinder blocks parked in the corner. When I put my archeologist hat on I conclude that the previous owner had some sort of gravity-fed drip irrigation system with a water collection barrel on top of the cinder block structure. I’m fascinated by drip irrigation but that’s above my pay grade in skills at the moment. Filing this away.
Oh did I mention wood? Wood wood wood. This place is a freaking wood factory. I’m not convinced the previous owner wasn’t trying to engulf 63P entirely inside of a log cabin, and just living inside with grow lights. In any case, I started taking inventory of all the wood and I gave up. I’m gonna have to figure out how to dispose of all this wood as most of it’s in pretty bad shape. There are some long 2×12 boards that could be useful so I may keep those kicking around. This is probably my first task of the plot is to migrate this wood out of here. The long skinny side of the “Mansion” plot is chock full of this wood so I’m losing growing space there while it acts as a wood storage facility.
Finally, lucky me! I’m directly caddy corner to one of the community garden hoses. In my previous plot I had to drag the hose a ways to water, so this is a welcomed change. That is, until I install a fully functional state-of-the-art drip irrigation system, bypassing all need for civilization maaaaan. In, like, 2026.
That’s the lay of the land as it stands. The more I think about it, the more ideas I get. The more ideas I get the more overwhelmed I get. The more overwhelmed I get the more I just go back and stand in 63P which leads to more thinking and more ideas, etc. Meanwhile, it’s February and it’s already time to get some early seed starts going.
Let the season begin!
AA
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