building beds

A couple of weeks ago, we began the process of building no-till beds here at the farm. 

We started with the beds along the side of the new high tunnel.

BEFORE

The process goes like this:

Mow the area of land as close to the earth as possible (already done before this photo)

   

 Lay down newspaper where the beds will be sited 
      ** if it is windy, using a hose to spray water and weigh down the paper helps!
      ** try not to get too distracted by the funnies!

 

Go the compost pile and grab a heaping bucket of lush, brown, organic matter. Then, driving carefully backwards over the bed, have two helpers with shovels scoop the compost from the bucket to the newspaper. 

AFTER

Not bad for a (long) day's work!