I’ve been busy in the garden lately. We finally had some weather that invited work and planting, and actually became just a tad dry.
Started out with the usual cleanup of branches, perennial debris from last season, etc. Then tackled the autumn clematis that had overgrown (“overgrown” is a word that could be quite descriptive of many plants in this update). I simply chopped away at it with hedge shears until the basic vine had its wildly bad hair mop turned into a well coiffed arbor.
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| Magnolia stellata in bloom- area of cleanup |
Reclaimed the area beneath the Magnolia stellata, pulling up grasses and removing an old flower container. Heavily mulched it now looks like a garden again. Cleaned up the opposite side under the Arborvitae tree (yes, they are trees) by trimming back the cotoneaster shrub and weeding out beneath it, then mulching it as well.
I don’t usually mulch this early, but I have that big pile from last year, so it is being put to use. Teens load up the wheel barrow and bring it to the designated dumping area. They much prefer that sort of task to weeding.
I put in the buttercrunch lettuce and the Swiss chard after raking out the old veggie garden. Handyman made me a raised bed for the renovated one. I have my shelves along the garage, too. Tomatoes were seeded, and I feel as nervous as a newbie about them -since it has been years since I started my own. I have to stop checking them.
Today I cleared out vinca major, and some other weedy thing, which might be Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, or coralberry plant. Trimmed the mugo which looked overgrown, and had suffered in shape since I allowed the clematis to become too friendly with it the last few years. There is an oval shaped indent that I think would gently clasp a nice large urn, now. All the shrubs and small trees that I have pruned to shape look so much better now, really improved makeovers!
I’ve done more, but now I’m getting tired just recounting the list. On the whole I feel optimistic about my garden this year.
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ilona-
you are a responsible garden keeper! other than routine early bonsai care, i’ve been lazy, but
plagued with allergies.
this time last year,it was badly
rain-soaked and i was cranky.
this year is the heaviest tree pollen season in 20 years! middle ga. has copious hardwoods and pines, and it looks like heavy sulfur smog everywhere.
yesterday, breezy – severe dust storm of fine yellow powder.
i got fullblast right in the eyes. spent evening on couch, cold rag,
closed eyes, copious fake tears.
felt like ground glass.
not sure i can go outside today,
rain coming to wash us tomorrow.
paltry garden news from patagonia.
hope to be back in yard soon!
vty, j-lea
Hi Ilona. This mini summer we have been having has worn me out LOL! After being lazy all winter we find those muscles that have not been used all winter. But it is wonderful to be out and doing isn’t it. Everything is growing so fast now. I am sure your seeded tomatoes will grow wonderful. I sowed mine two weeks ago and they are starting fast.
Have a wonderful time in the garden.
Lona
j- that sounds awful. It is really hard to exert oneself when getting dragged down by feeling so punk.
I go in spurts- not what I used to be, that is for sure.
Lona, thanks for your vote of confidence 🙂 It is pleasant to be out, so I just do what I can. today I tackled a bit of the pyracantha that needs pruning so badly. Don’t let those muscles get too achy!
…hmmm. as for being responsible- I think I just feel overwhelmed with guilt that I am a garden blogger who has let things go so badly the past couple years. Or maybe I am just trying to keep up with my memories of “what the old mare used to be”.
I keep saying, “one day at a time”.
my friend, old bird
full of grit and gristle –
will make wonderful soup!