Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was fascinated with many things, including plants, and in 1811 famously wrote,”but tho’ an old man, I am but a young gardener.”

After putting in an eight-hour day and then some working on the meditation circle, I feel old, but a young gardener myself tonight.  Maybe not old so much as tired. My muscles are responding to the heavy tasks of raking, chopping, hoeing, bending, and pulling. Meanwhile my mind questions the tactics and decisions applied to date in preparing the soil for this project–I am indeed a young gardener.

Grass needs removing from meditation circle

With the rains finally gone for a few days, this was my first opportunity to break up the sod again, concentrate on removing grass, and incorporate some sphagnum peat moss into the area that will become a meditation circle. A large barrel was not enough to contain all the grass pulled from the garden today, yet there is more.

Meditation Circle

At least a third of the space is characterized by very heavy clay, so the peat moss seems a necessary addition. It took most of the day to get to a point where it seemed appropriate to even try to add the peat. Almost instantly the soil seemed to be more workable. Tomorrow should be another nice, sunny day and this gardener is feeling optimistic again the labyrinth can be installed soon.

The fence is delayed until Friday.

Clematis Jackmanii

Happened upon the season’s first blossom of the Jackmanii clematis in the southern side path. It was tucked away inside so was almost not visible this evening. This morning I do not think it had opened, as I studied this very same plant despairing that deer had bitten off a huge mouthful of the vine.  The deer are eating things this year, including tradescantia, they usually do not bother.