We did it

13 years ago

The job is done. This morning we went out early while it was still cool and finished hoisting up the remaining canes of 'Treasure Trove' onto the pergola DH built, spreading them down its eight meters of length and tying them in place. We finished by tying the tender young canes 'Treasure Trove' has been throwing out since the accident, orienting them toward the pergola. With the old pergola and the new extension the pergola is now about 36' feet long; possibly the bottom of it will be colonized by a young double white Lady Banks rose growing there.
This has all worked out better than at one time I thought likely. DH was able to cut down the fallen and split portions of the black locust the rose had been climbing on, 40' of tree, then we pruned away the most heavily damaged canes and I untangled what was left, cutting away the small growth and shortening the side canes. DH built the pergola, using the usual rebar and lumber, and then we got the canes up, not without some swearing and gasping on my part.
We sure got a lot of mulch out of this, and a lot of wood for terracing. A portion of the shade garden has been redesigned, and is none the worse for that. I think 'Treasure Trove' will be fine. The locust is resprouting, too, from its eight foot stump, which I'm not particularly grateful for, but it won't do any harm. Also we have baby locusts sprouting all over the garden. We pull these and they become mulch. We can use that, too.
Melissa

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Comments (9)

catsrose
13 years ago
Congrats! What a job. Post a pic.
strawchicago z5
13 years ago
Hi Melissa: Congratulations to "DH built the pergola, using the usual rebar and lumber, and then we got the canes up, not without some swearing and gasping on my part".

You have a handy DH ... I wish mine would help me more, he's into fishing. My kid doesn't like to work in the garden either, so gardening is like my private play park.

I pulled up the Calendula while they are young to use as "green mulch" yesterday ... but I shake off the seeds first, so they don't sprout. That took 1 hour, but it's easier than getting horse manure .... it's only 5 minutes drive, but that stable is a spooky place.
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melissa_thefarm
Original Author
13 years ago
Strawberry,
You're absolutely right, I'm very lucky to have my husband. The garden as it is would be impossible without him. Why is the stable spooky?
I was out later defying our heat wave and pulling weeds, though always staying in the shade. I have decided to regard bindweed, Bermuda grass, wild mint, nettles, and other villains I don't know the names of, as useful mulch, mine to be had merely for the work of pulling them. I have this dream that eventually the trees and shrubs will get big enough to begin discouraging them through their shade and root competition. Summer here can be defined as the season when the only things growing are the weeds. It's very dry, but the roses at least mostly look cheerful.
Catsrose, I was thinking of photos, we'll see if I get around to it. DH still needs to cut up most of the locust, including the main trunk which is under the pergola, and we have to put in the steps under the pergola, which is on a steep slope. DH currently is recovering from two cracked ribs and a haemotoma, so he may have to wait a bit before firing up the chain saw.
jacqueline9CA
13 years ago
I'll be that Treasure Trove will be amazingly magnificent next Spring - please do post photos. One year we had our 3 story tall banksia lutea and a Cl Cecile Brunner the same size fall off our house in a winter storm. Same deal - cut off the broken parts, and my DH tied them back on the house (the main canes still reached up to the roof). The following Spring they bloomed more than they had in years. So, you have that to look forward to.

Jackie
rosefolly
13 years ago
It sounds lovely, Melissa. And what a job!

Rosefolly
jerijen
13 years ago
Big job -- but congratulations on completion. And yes -- I'd also love to see the finished product.

Jeri
kittymoonbeam
13 years ago
It feels great when you have a big job like that finished. Enjoy the beauty to come!
User
13 years ago
Oh well done. Bask in virtue and relief for, oooh, several weeks at least.
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
13 years ago
Bravo, Melissa. I'm especially in awe of all the work your husband has done over the years since I joined the forum. Most men his age would think a few rounds of golf strenuous enough to warrant a beer or two and a nap. Both of you, for that matter, have put an incredible amount of labor into your garden, and this is just the latest example. I hope Treasure Trove rewards you hugely when it blooms next spring.

Ingrid