After a tough week, I’ve made a decision: replanting for the fall season will be extremely limited. Collard Greens Only. Carrying the physical and mental load of this space solo means knowing when to set realistic expectations, and right now, my energy needs to go toward restoration rather than trying to maintain the status quo.

That said, I’m not walking away from the summer crop. I am doing my absolute best to repair the vandalized beds, harvest what remains of our summer bounty, and finish the sheet mulching process to protect the soil.

Here is the game plan—and a few bright spots—as we rebuild:

  • The Cardboard Jackpot: A huge shoutout to a local furniture store that hooked me up with a massive stash of giant cardboard boxes. This is gold for sheet mulching and will save me hours of piecing together smaller scraps.

  • The Wood Chip Hunt: I am currently running low on wood chips to cover the cardboard. I'm actively hunting for a free local source to get us through this stretch.

The Weird Paradox of Wood Chips

If you've ever managed a garden, you know the bizarre law of the universe regarding wood chips: When you actually need them, they are nowhere to be found. You search, you call, you wait.

But the moment you finally secure that first delivery? Suddenly, every tree service in a ten-mile radius wants to dump three more loads in your driveway.

I'm waiting for that tipping point. If anyone has a lead on a local tree service looking for a place to drop a clean load of chips, send them my way!

Thank you to everyone who reached out with kind words after the vandalism. Let's get this soil prepped and protected.

— Your Gardener