Our Garden Adventure - 01

A few weeks ago, my wife and I watched the Back to Eden film. We were immediately inspired, especially since we were planning to significantly expand the 8x10 raised bed garden we constructed five years ago. Beyond that, the story from the film resonated deeply with us, so we decided to put into practice the concepts and techniques from the film.

Today, I contacted Out on Limb Tree Service to inquire about uncomposted wood chips. Larry was quite helpful and said he could deliver 12 yards in a few hours for just $40. He was just wrapping up a job and would have plenty of freshly chipped red oak for us. He was right on time, and we talked for 5-10 minutes about our adventure in expanding the garden using the Back to Eden method. He affirmed the process, saying that at his own place (22 acres), he uses wood chips extensively, and the soil resulting from the decomposing wood chips is the richest on his land. He also said he'd be happy to stop by anytime he was near our house and had some high quality wood chips ... no charge! Thanks Larry!

Larry dumped the wood chips in the empty lot next to our house, and we began the process of moving the wood chips from the empty lot to the backyard, one wheelbarrow load at a time. Thanks to our neighbor Mr. Bob for letting us use his wheelbarrow and pitchfork, and to our neighbor Davey and her two boys for helping out, and to my own son Isaac (age 10) who worked with great energy, passion, and endurance. He really amazed me!

Our next step is to get enough old newspapers to cover the area where we'll be spreading the wood chips!

Watch it for yourself! The official Back to Eden film

“The ground is a living organism. As all living organisms, God has designed and made it so it is always covered with something. It's all about the covering!” - Paul Gautschi