Proof

proof that eventually the sun does shine here in Trumansburg

 

 

But proof, yes
Proof is the bottom line for everyone 

-Paul Simon "Proof"

 

Thanks to the sun finally coming out, the solar panels have started generating more power than we consume in a day. We have had 8 days with sunshine since Dec 22 when we turned these panels on.

Why do I bother showing photos of our solar panels? Strangely, because it marks the end of our lawn in this part of our yard. My goal, this spring and summer, is to turn this grassy space into new beds for our garden. I've mowed this spot for 24 summers (and I am sure this will elicit some grumpy contention)... and I have hated mowing it ever single time. I dont love the smell of freshly mown grass. I dont enjoy the smell of pouring gasoline into the mower. Just not my thing.

Instead, we're going to lay down many carloads of cardboard and dozens and dozens of wheelbarrow loads of woodchips in this spot. It's about 60 feet by about 18 feet. Chips will extend under the solar panels too. Nothing will grow under there... so it's better to just chip it and be done. 

Circling back to why I wanted to share this. Building a garden is hard. This whole yard used to look like a golf course.  I already said I hate mowing. What do I imagine this looking like eventually? That's the thing... I imagine! We have been walking in front of the panels and making an interesting zigzag pattern connecting the long bed to the right into the edge right next to the panel. If it works, it should take the rigid rectangular block of the solar panel and give it some other playful shapes to move in front of it. Since that will be the only area of our garden visible from the road, the hope is that it will seem inviting to those walking and driving by. The rest of the garden is both more intimate and arguably more functional. 

I'll try to take a few more photos as this process takes off. Cardboard and wood chips act like a giant etch-a-sketch!