Sod Off!

Oh my! Phase three of the sidewalk project is finished, but we are all stiff and sore to pay for it. Nothing like getting up around 6am to rent a sod cutter then working straight through to 6pm cutting and removing sod. Hard work. However, it looks good and will only take a little finishing work to get where we need it before laying the lime and pavers.

Dad using the sod cutter

Chopping the sod into manageable chunks and shoveling into cart for removal

Hauling away a cart of sod

Unbelievably, at one time, the chicken yard was completely grassy

The sod free path for the sidewalk

Along with removing the sod where the sidewalk will go, dad used the sod cutter in front of the potting shed since mom wants to put a flower bed in there. He also used it by the back patio to extend it further into the yard. You can never have enough patio space. All the sod was carted off to the chicken yard to fill low areas that become swamps (incredibly odorific swamps) anytime it looks like it might rain. We still have to finish along the edges and remove some dirt nearest the chicken yard, but for the most part, phase three is done!

While dad and I worked on the sidewalk project, mom decided to trim one of the bushes that is the bane of my existence when mowing. The branches enjoy slapping me in the face as I mow around it. Not anymore though, as she pruned it back to manageable size. The chickens will miss their hiding spot, though, as they like to eat the worms and bugs that live under the branches when they are free range.


My cousin, Tim, is arriving for a visit tonight, so expect fewer updates this week, although I will be enlisting his help in building the composting toilet tomorrow. With additional guests, we definitely need another toilet. Stay green!