I operate on a scale that is wheelbarrow and spade fork sized, not like Bobert's tractor and tiller operation. This I posted over in MOAB and I'm tired so I'm not retyping it:

This was one of those days in the garden when every time I wanted to start one task I realized I had to back up and do something else first. As a result, I have cleared up an old compost pile by adding it, sans sticks, to my new compost pile (the sticks in the old one meant it didn't break down like it should have), I cut up and stacked at the curb several large tree limbs that I took down last summer, I dug a new bed (the sod from that generated the compost pile work) and made a run to Home Depot for manure and ran past the park site for free compost (lots of wood chunks in it, I use it more like a mulch around the edge of the garden and to mark the path where I can step in the garden). I planted some tomatoes, and as a bonus, fixed a bicycle for some kids who were kind of far from home, it was dusk, and they thought they just needed a hammer to pound the handlebar into place. It needed a hammer and an Allen wrench, and after that little break, I finished planting and mulching tomatoes. Peppers tomorrow.

MOM, I'm bushed. I knew I had to keep moving until I finished everything (including fixing dinner) because once I sat down (now) I probably wouldn't want to get up again. And I don't.

Janie, I'm on my third spade fork in this house, and it is just seven years. A friend gave me the wheelbarrow, and last fall I put on one of those tires on it that never goes flat (cost as much as the darned wheelbarrow probably cost, but what a luxury to not pull out the compressor every time I want to use it!) I bought cheap cotton gloves at Home Depot (something like a dozen pair for $4.99) and I go through those fairly fast.

I'm to the point of having to take out things I put in a few years ago because they're too crowded or I've changed my mind. I hate cutting stuff down, I transplant when I can, but the yard is taking shape. I'm finally creating some shade. Unlike you, I had none until fairly recently. Now I have a couple of spots for tender plants that don't like full sun.

SRS