[Diana in Wisconsin]

Boy, that amazes me that sand works for you. We have clay soil, too - I live in an area that is called ‘The Driftless’ because the glaciers completely missed us. So, we have clay, rocks and nothing but hills. Sometimes, when I drive around, it’s like visiting the terraced gardens of Vietnam! Farmers are very into stopping the erosion of our soil. We have some awesome ‘ancient dirt’ down below us in the pasture, though. Beau hauls that up for the raised beds. Nothing better!

Everything I’ve learned is that sand and clay make cement. What’s the magic ratio you use? I’m not going to do it, no need with my raised beds, and despite weeds, my lawn is in good enough shape.

Just curious.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Still having very warm days ahead with no rain in sight. Humidity is down, though, so that's tolerable, at least. Great weather for house painting (on the home stretch) and I don't mind getting up early to water, which is what's happening around here, this morning. Puppy 'Shasta' has been walked and I am on cup #3 of coffee. :)

The front section, with all of the high, scary work, on the house is finished. Mick just has to do the porch walls and the small west side of the house. He's coming down Monday afternoon for a few days. Yay! Getting closer to finished on my 'Painted Lady.' The porch flooring is being replaced and we're getting metal railings all around and down the steps. Can't wait! It was time for an upgrade after 35 years. Mick is on the scaffolding, Beau is supervising from below. Mick is a professional painter by trade.

I think she needs one of those 'Barn Quilts' between the two large windows on the front, or to break up the huge expanse of nothing on the right side.

[jdsteel]

Before aerating I spread around sand that is roughly equivalent to 1/8” thick….though it’s not brain surgery. Some spots are heavier and some are less. But the sand, peat moss & milorganite has made my lawn the nicest looking on the block and more resistant to dry spells.

Look at this guy about 5 minutes in….. https://youtu.be/V4MKDGbGouM

My raised garden has good soil (like yours) so I don’t use sand or peat moss there.