Virgin Garden(er) Dirty Workout
I have begun the dirty work of my garden. To turn the boneyard white trash pit into a verdant oasis that will sustain my family through tough economic times I had to get dirty. As a virgin gardener this is new to me. It was also more physical work than I like. (I don’t like any, so even folding socks is more than I like. But I digress.)
Since I’m trying to get into better shape I decided to try to keep a positive “whistle while you work” mind frame even though dirty fingers and physical labor make me mad. And if anyone out there is gardening as a way to add exercise I’ve also estimated the calories burnt while fooling myself into thinking this will work performing standard gardening tasks.
Shoveling something or digging burns 340 calories per hour. I did it for 2 hours with periodic breaks for weeping.
I had to scrape off layers of sod. Many were repurposed in brown areas of my lawn. Others were flung into the woods. This burns 363 calories an hour. I flung sod for at least 1/2-an-hour with periodic breaks to tuck my spleen back into position.
Raking burns 292 calories per hour. I suppose I did it for 1/2 hour and then crawled into the kitchen trailing dirt. I put a fist full of Ibuprofen in my mouth, chewed, swallowed, and curled up on the kitchen throw rug and died.
I figure I burned 2,720 calories and I’m all set until Flag Day in terms of Weight Watchers activity points earned. And I did manage to turn boneyard white trash pit into patch of dirt. Now I’ve got to actually plant stuff, like turnips or something. I’ll think about that tomorrow.
I cleaned my sons room. AND shampooed his carpet. That has totally gotta add up to like 3 Mars Bars right?
How about one glass of red wine for medicinal purposes?
Great job on the yard! I would rather clean public toilets than garden.
Kelley I totally remember the word spleen because of your use of the word pancreas!
And yes, cleaning child’s room AND shampooing is worth 3 candy bars. And we’ll see if I like gardening it’s all new.
It has the potential for disaster.
I’m up for some sod flinging!!!
Shoveling equals the stairmaster is the best news I’ve had all day!!
Just so you know, my massage therapist told me that gardeners have the most well-toned bodies….to the yard everyone!
Harmony – we could have a Sod Flinging Themed Party!
Mama Zen – No one can say shoveling doesn’t equal Stairmaster. Can they?
MentalP – I’d like to meet your massage therapist AND your gardener. Preferably if they’re both named Sven.
WOW – I had no idea gardening was worth so many activity points. I was one worn out ho-er yesterday. My pit muscles are still sore. I also cleaned a girl’s room. Yes, shoveling was involved!! Moved furniture yesterday too. Whatever happened to ‘the day of rest’???
As always Kiki – your artwork is amazing!! I think I’ll have a glass of wine while I ponder it’s deeper meaning.
I gardened all weekend and didn’t factor in my work-out what was I thinking!
Seriously I think I’ll go out and have a huge plate of enchiladas just cause….
Angela you totally get credit for the housework as well. And hoin’ around is always a job. And thank you for the kudos on the artwork. Yes.. they really do have bags a’ nuicance.(sp)
Reba – Gardening = Workout = Enchiladas! Get on it!
Thats like 800 weight watchers points right??? Thats like 8 bottles of wine, much more ‘productive’ than a Mars bar. Althought I am pretty sure ho-in is way more points than you said…you should ask at your next meeting, that would be super entertaining.
(trying out a new name…we’ll see if she sticks)
Look at you working that earth-nice dirt.
That looks like quite an accomplishment. Good job.
My mom had a vegetable garden when I was growing up. I remember a lot of tomatoes, some carrots and some (blech) zuchini. Not blech now, but I didn’t like it then.
I would love to have a garden, but I have no idea what the feck would even grow here. It’s 110 degrees today. No joke. Apparently tomatoes, carrots and zuchini can grow, but I have no idea what time of the year she planted. I should ask.
Felicity I’m having the wine right now! Great minds.
Mrs. G I’m so jealous of you southern belle vibe. Thank you!
And noble I bet you’ve done this before based on all I’ve seen on your blog you look totally proficient in these domestic goddess areas.
Shelley we’ve got the reverse fecking problem. There’s Two seasons in Michigan as they say, Winter and July!
Thanks for the support guys. This weekend I’m buying the seeds and little newborn plantlets. So the real test.. the actual growing will beging.
begin…
Heh Kiki…our two seasons are Summer and Comfort. Summer lasts about 8 months, Comfort about 4 months. There’s something seriously wrong with that.
I just Googled “Vegetable Garden in Arizona”, and after reading some various things, what I’ve concluded is that it would be way too much damn work.
That is some sweet gardening. Hoffa makes for good fertilizer
You are so my hero after all that. Makes me tired just to read it…can you please calculate the calories for me to read it?
Looks good…far better than my “Throw seeds at dirt and then they’re on their own” method. This year, I stuck some basil in the ground and am hoping it tolerates the red clay well – so far, so good. I want to make pesto, you see…
The tomatoes went into a pot, so no hoeing or digging necessary. With the drought as bad as it’s been, I am actually trying to conserve water…although next year, I am seriously considering some cherry trees and some various berry plants and bushes, and turning the entire front lawn into a vegetable patch…less yard to mow, more fresh edibles, woo-hoo! Umm…don’t hold your breath, though…
I look forward to seeing your garden grow.
Shade and Sweetwater,
K, the most inconstant gardener
Shelley I fear the work for mine might be more than I bargained for.
Nicole as always you slay me and thank goodness you haven’t abandon us.
HRH you have may given me an idea on a post.. calories burned while reading this blog!
K – I completely want to see how the fruit trees work. I hear that’s very difficult too.
Thank you all for playing along with me!
Abandoned thee, Miss Kiki!? Of what speaketh thou?
nicoles are fiercely loyal little creatures. even via blog sites. nicoles are also unforgivably lazy creatures; like the sloth, they tend to garden only patches of moss on their skin for lack of movement. I’ve been busy getting fat over the last couple weeks. But I’m back!