I wouldn't have believed it.

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So, out I went.  Oh, but I had to come back in, find the instructions, read them over a bit, and then get to it.  I had all the tools I needed, where I needed them.  I just could not remember how, distance, depth, and such.  Rhubarb first.  I only have six of those, and they just go into a pit.  Nothing fancy, and not to full depth or more.  I cut the plastic around, as well as the cardboard, then dug a good nine inches of dirt out.  More than needed, but I hate ending up having to dig more while in the process.  Plus, it loosens the soil.  All good.

I did each kind at it's own end.  I fudged distances a bit, but then their notions were ridiculous for my setup.  I suppose commercial farmers would be more attuned to their odd ways.  Then again, I guess we will see.  At least two should be fine.  I left an area in the middle I am hoping to plant garlic and maybe daikon radishes, if they will grow.  They may be a bit too water needing to do well here.  Still, I'd like to give it a shot.

Then out to the asparagus bed.  I dug three cross-angle trenches, to see if that would work.  With 25 (plus one extra) root bundles, I would need to dig another nine if I was going to plant them all, done all today, dug and planted some today some later, or what, I did not know.  I decided to go with the dogs to the butt.  If they started barking I would give it a rest... or at least if they barked and bit beyond my tolerances.

The angled trench was perfect for two to three root systems.  I also cut the roots back just a bit before putting them into the ground.  I had needed to do nothing with the rhubarb.  Still, no fuss... save that I was on my knees, crawling around.  Oddly my knees didn't bug me.  Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.  Of course I was wearing knee pads.  Not that that always helps.  I finished the three trenches then reassessed my situation.  Good!  So, on I went.  I dug the rest of the trenches, unsure if I would be able to finish the planting.  On I went, trimming the roots, burying as I believe the instructions suggested, on down the line.

Done.  Before I knew it they were finished.  Well, for now.  The instructions suggested digging a six inch trench, putting them in, but only burying them to two inches, at first.  When/if the bulbs shoot up, then when ready, bury them to near the surface but just another two inches.  Finally, when they are ready, bury them the rest of the way.  They say it could take four to six weeks.  Okay.  Reminds me of women.  Only they are never done.  :p

Finished?  No.  I was still doing well.  So... I grabbed the spade and root shovel to begin digging starter holes for the other other bushes.  Six holes.  I don't think they are deep enough, but they are mostly dug.  When, probably Monday, I get out to finish those, I will trim their roots, set them in water for four, six, maybe eight hours, then dig more... if I think, where they are, I will need the pick-awl.  I'd like to get about a foot maybe up to half more diameter hole at least a foot deep.  After they have been watered in preparation, then I'll put them in.

Anyway, not bad.  I can handle this well.  My legs are slightly stiff, but not back to a full on concrete feel.  I have a reasonable sweat going.  And I feel like I did a bit of work.  Digging is work, but the heaviest thing, for me, is going down to a kneel and getting up from it.  Actually, the whole process of working on the knees, digging, and all... it's all a reasonable effort.  On the good side, I can do it fairly well, when I can do it.  Tomorrow will be a good day down.

Later.