Water and the power of planning

Mom & dad have always complained about our back yard being too wet - they had nicknamed it "the rice paddy." It never seemed to dry out, even during drought conditions. Never had to water the garden. So, they did lots of homework on what they could do to fix the problem.

Last year, dad put in a dry well to help the water absorb into the ground better. He only got a foot or 2 down when he hit shale, lots of solid shale. He rented the jack hammer, and even with that couldn't get past it after 5 feet. So, we have this slight mound of shale bits and clay dirt out back on top of the dry well. It's slowly sinking. We didn't really seem to see much improvement in the water situation.

So, earlier this year, mom and dad bought & planted 3 birch trees in the back. They were actually sinking as they dug the holes for these trees. They also decided that the back area would be where to place the new garden. Nature can help out with watering.

Believe or or not, they have had to purchase an extra hose and water the garden and the trees!!!!! Unbelievable! And now, of course, it is finally raining. Mom says buying the hose is like washing the car - that made it rain.

We'll see how the rest of the summer goes. It hasn't been that dry this year, so maybe all that planning and work finally cured the rice paddy and we won't have to get our muddy paws wiped down as often.