If you are talking about the plastic mulched beds, no we laid that by hand. It takes some time, but we are getting faster. I hope the time spent now means less weeding in the future. First I till the beds out to at least 3 feet wide. Then I come back with a rake or a hoe and make a 4 to 6 inch furrow on each side of the bed. Then we set the roll of plastic on the bed roll it out a few feet and bury the edges and on the end. It works best to hold it down with a helper or a heavy concrete block. Then unroll further and stretch as you go. Fill the sides back in with the dirt. Then at the end of the rows, my helpers help me out. I hope this helps. I wish I had a mulch layer, but I need to get the tractor and tiller first. I did build a garden bedder/hiller that I used to make raised beds outside. I rented a tractor this year and it worked great. Jay

Well, TGIS. The heat has let up here in Brooklyn so I went to the park with my son. The intention was just to get in a walk before the heat ratcheted up again, but when we got as far ass the Boat House we found the Park Rangers putting canoes in the Lull Water - free for anyone who wanted one. Well off we shoved! The surface of the water was covered in bright green Duck Weed, evidently a byproduct of the floride in the water and photosynthesis. It is pretty once you understand that it is a natural process and not some form of pollution. We glided over lily pads with yellow blooms,and past duck families, little turtles, and under a lovely overpass. We kept our distance from the swans because the rangers warned us that they tend to attack the canoes. We watch Canada Geese landing and taking off in and over the water. The clouds were forming overhead for a heavy rain shower and we returned to the boat house just minutes before the deluge. My son left to meet a friend and I got soaked on the walk home but it was well worth it. Imagine, I live in the middle of an urban environment and took a walk through the woods, past waterfalls and over a lake and then rowed a canoe across lily pads to where the turtles, ducks, geese and swans make their homes. Its a wonderland and I feel very lucky to live here. At home we had a simple lunch of bottled borsht to which I added home roasted beets and a dollop of yogurt; rye bread, cheese and a little smoked salmon. Simple but perfect. Now its time to take an afternoon nap and see friends this evening. I'll raise my iced coffee glass for a clink-clink and happy, peaceful weekend to all.

Diane, the planter box was a kit that I added wheels to it so I could move it around as necessary. Pretty easy to put together and then I oiled it with vegetable grade oil so the wood would stay the beautiful color and grain that it was. It was pretty easy other than trying to put it together by myself. Needless to say, it is better with two people. I dropped a side on the top of my foot which is still black and blue and various shades of green and still a bit swollen. Yea, that hurt!

We're late up here too,Ed. I have no intentions of planting until after the May 2-4 wknd(coming) when the ground here too, has dried out and warmed up some. I suppose it might be alright here to put in some beans and potatoes-will look tomorrow. How is landlord coming along? See you whenever you get the chance to post.