June 2011 Report for Flatironed Acres

Flatironed Acres is what I have decided to call this place because it looks like God took an old fashioned flatiron and smoothed it out without fold or wrinkle.

Some passing thunder rumbled, but it proved an empty threat of rain. I had taken note of it this morning and continued my efforts at reclaiming my gardens from weeds that had grown while I was gone for two weeks. Two weeks in the growing season and it might as well be two months! I’ve made good,sweaty progress however, and the lavender walk again looks like a feature instead of a sad mistake. The mosquitoes took advantage of my efforts under the Cameo quince bush, where the Quack grass loves to take hold.

I am puppy-sitting for my daughter, and Brutus is an energetic romper throughout the garden with frequent dives into the garden pond. He loves it when I’m pulling weeds- and tries to catch each handful that I throw backwards from my advance into the garden bed. Annoying only when he decides the garden fork is his sworn enemy and goes on semi-attack. I have to stop and speak sternly at that point. He found an errant tennis ball and is leaving me alone…for now.

I had one sad loss of the fir tree in the front yard. When I left for vacation it looked fine, when I returned it was ghastly orange and dead. I think it got too wet in the clay soil and I probably helped its demise with a deep mulch of hardwood chips. I didn’t volcano mound, but I think the roots were buried too deeply. My husband will need to get the chainsaw out.

The family of mowers (everyone except me) has been busy trying to control the tall grass prairie we’ve got going here.

The farmers have been out in force the last two days or so, and the field across the way is harrowed and planted. The smooth semi-sweet chocolate ground is a good sight to see.

Oh, and the roses and peonies are blooming.

Til later friends,
Ilona

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© 2011 written for Ilona’s Garden Journal. An excellent blog.