The Frisbie House was built in 1920, firmly planted into the bedrock of the hillside. It’s clear that some blasting was done to lay the foundation and the remaining rubble buried throughout the grounds. Put a spade in any spot in our yard and you will quickly come to a scraping stop. This can be a challenge.
When re-flooring the greenhouse this year, we built 2 raised beds that needed to be filled with soil. Any old person can go out and buy soil, but hey, we’re The Frisbie’s, surely there is some way we could mechanize this process and use what we already have… right?
“Honey… bring me the power tools!”
DIY Sifting Screen
In his usual problem-solving manner, Silverback built a screen to sift soil and separate rocks… and then juiced it up.
Power tools are your friends
It was fun watching him tinker with it, and it came together pretty quickly. He truly amazes me when he builds things. He thinks of everything – it sits on top of the wheel barrow and is compact enough to store easily. The reciprocating saw unhooks and goes back into the toolbox. When he perfected it, he began clearing the area under our deck, which is the most rock-laden part of the yard and definitely needs a re-do. Within a short time, he screened enough soil to fill the need in the greenhouse. Soft, fluffy, beautifully screened soil! Next, I want him to screen some compost to enrich those beds. The machine makes it easy, fast, and fun.
Soil goes in the wheel barrow; rocks fly like the dickens
The by-product is some gravel and stones we can use in landscaping. I’m a little freaky about stone. I love it. I earned a 4.0 in Geology. When I see a pile of rocks I want to build a wall, line a path, or just stare lovingly at it. After all, I grew up in the country where farmed fields were deliniated by acres of rock wall. Beautiful. Primitive. Interesting.
One day, I will update you with a before/after photo of our deck project. Until then, here’s a peek at the new greenhouse beds where some lucky plants will snuggle in for the season.
Great job, kuto’s to you and Silverback.. thinking outside the circle is good and creative.. keep up the good work.. and have your soil tested.. happy gardening
Thank you, Bryan. We are always excited to try something new. Our Penn State Cooperative Extension does soil testing. They will send you a packet with instructions to take your soil sample, you mail it in, and they will send you a printout with all the details and recommendations. You take that to your friendly local garden center and they will show you how to amend your soil with the proper nutrients for maximum performance.
That is so true Mrs. Frisbie ( Mrs Joanie Appleseeder ) they do a great job with it also, if interested, check into the yahoo group called ” Mittleider Method of Gardening ” .. they will teach how to recognize what you’re missing in your soil, and give you the perfect mix for your garden, better than any local garden center… they truly believe in ” Feed the soil, and the soil will feed you “…. process.. and from my own personal experience, it is very true also..