excavations

December 8th, 2010 by brooke

A few weeks ago we encountered some unexpected concrete – an approximately 12 x 12 ft concrete pad lying under a few inches of soil in the center of the farm where the lot begins to narrow. We had intentions to dig beds and plant herbs on this part of the farm and did not want to be thwarted by a 30 year old chunk of concrete, so we decided to rent a jack hammer to break it up. Although sore after a full day of jack hammer vibrations, it was a fulfilling feeling to free a patch of ground from the oppression of concrete! Now, a few weeks later, the area is cleared, leveled, broadforked, and almost ready to plant.

Over the past six months, excavation has been a large part of our work on this land. When we first encountered the lot, a jungle full of six foot tall weeds, we had no way to see what was lying under the surface. We have been steadily decreasing the ranks of fennel by digging out their unbelievably large taproots one at a time as well as chipping away at the wild onion population and the underground tangle of himalayan blackberry. We have uncovered literally tons of concrete chunks, the dumped left overs from many a building or remodeling project. We have found remnants of sidewalks and patios that lead to nowhere, as well as piles and piles of rubble and household archeology: half decomposed bedsprings, bottles, pipes, tools, carpets, forks, spoons, toys and tennis balls. There will be more treasures to come, I’m sure.