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Project of the Week

16 years ago

I spent the entire week working on one flower bed in my yard which will seem crazy to you when I tell you that it is completely empty, except for one rose bush.

Initially I put the bed in thinking I would make it into a rose garden, but I have a heck of a time keeping roses alive in this climate. So the only rose planted there is the antique yellow rose that I've talked about here before. The first year the bed was built I planted all of our vegetables in it. Last year I threw some straw over it and planted nothing, because I was unable to garden at all. Eventually the weeds filled it quite full. Last fall the Rancher let the cattle in to eat all the weeds in the yard (and all of my plants and shrubs) that had accumulated in my absence from regular care.

After some initial cleanup in my big flower bed, and seeding the lawn this spring I decided this long bed (66' x 5') was next on the list. It was massively filled with hundreds of huge weeds which had been top chopped by the cattle on the upper story and densely filled with sand burs on the lower story. I wished I had never made the darn thing. My own fault, so I had to deal with it. I used bath towels to set my knees down on as I worked inch by inch removing all the weeds and picking each tiny sand bur out of the dirt and the cracks and crevices of the bricks that line the bed. Then I raked it all and crawled through it and picked more burs. Quite a number of small rocks had surfaced so I went through it twice more on hands and knees to pick all the rocks and stones out of the soil and filled two 2-gal. ice cream tubs with rocks.

The rancher tilled it for me with my little Mantis Tiller. I added several loads of old leaves and he tilled it again with his big tiller. Next I raked and smoothed. This was a major undertaking for me. In past years all of this would have been a piece of cake and I would have had it done in a few hours but those days are long gone,obviously.

Again on hands and knees, I planted seed for three long days. I worked from early morning until dark each day. I've planted more than 30 different types of perennials and annuals and 2-3 different cultivars and multiple colors of many of them. I have flowers in there that will grow anywhere from 10 ft. to 4 inches. I have every color imaginable! I actually ran out of seeds of certain heights and had to go to town to buy some more, what fun!!

Last night when darkness fell, I still had about 8 ft. of that long long flower bed left to be planted and just could not see to finish it. Wouldn't you know that we are now in a rain pattern for the next week at least. We had a short break this afternoon and the sun actually popped through for a little while and we had company! It took everything I had not to just run out the door with my seed box so I could finish that short little section while the rain had stopped.

I am so hoping that my luck with seeds will take a turn for the good this year, and that my long long bed will be a beauty to behold. I'm excited to see how it all turns out.

Libby, will you send me some of your good seed starting mo-jo? Pretty please?

So....what were your projects this week? Did they get your juices flowing so that you just didn't want to quit?

MeMo

Comments (15)

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Sounds like you got a lot done, still. This past weekend was a great time to plant seeds according to the almanac. So that's what I did too. I sowed all my veggies in the potager. I'm hoping we get a storm passing through this week so that I don't have to water so much. Like Cameron, I'm watering in the evenings which is something I know I shouldn't do. I just need to make sure the seeds stay moist and watering in the day seems like a waste of time.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    MeMo, a hearty congratulations on a tremendous job! I weed on my knees a lot of the time too. I am glad you are able to garden this year. I will keep my fingers crossed that all the seeds germinate. The rains should help. It seems we are all getting rains this week. We had 1/2 inch overnight.

    I didn't get anything done this weekend because my Ia sis and her husband were down. We did go to a local greenhouse where I picked up a dark red vining geranium for my one and only hanging basket, geraniums for my MIL for Mother's Day, a trillium, aronia and a bittersweet vine.

    I set some flats out for hardening off, out of wind, we had extreme winds.

    token, I think watering in the evenings refers to plants with leaves....wet overnight causing fungal diseases. If you just are watering seeds there is no problem or if you water early enough that leaves can dry, that's OK too.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    MeMo, it's so wonderful that you can be out working in your garden once again that is one huge bed you've just done, makes you feel good doesn't it, just please don't overdo it (Hmmm where have I heard those words before).
    Have you got one of those little kneeling stools, so handy for pushing oneself upright when body parts aren't co-operating, also can be turned over and sat on for a session of constructive staring :o), I love mine.

    We went to the feed store yesterday for niger seed for the birds, sea soil, a bale of no.4 and of course I zoomed in on some lilies that were marked down 30%.
    Transplanted lettuce when I got home, raked the weeds out of gravel paths, watered where needed and then with DH's help (he with his armor plated gloves on) tied in the climbing David Austin rose 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' onto the south facing side of the house.
    Last year this wall was covered with the rambler 'Albertine' but DH has to put a new roof on the adjoining woodshed which she has also smothered so, she has to be cut back severely there too once she has finished blooming.

    Around 5 DH lured me in the house with a glass of wine saying he didn't want me to overdo. Between you and me I think it was just a way to get me in to make dinner.

    Today, as soon as I get myself mobile it's back out in the garden, we've had such a long cold and snowy winter, these we are not used to or, as Libby says we don't do snow here. I have to alter that a bit by saying we occasionally do snow here but not much as a rule.

    It's wonderful to finally be able to be out in the garden again.

    Annette

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    WOW !!! What an amazing amount you got done. I have been wielding my 2.5# mattock that I bought. Taking out the tree roots and planting and planting. Alas I don't do seeds and have a very limited space but I am making progress. I wish you would send some of the rain. I can hardly wait to see photos of your space. I hope you are taking progress pics so we can watch it as it grows. I posted a slideshow of just a peek preview. Lots more to come ! c

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    That sounds like a huge border, MeMo! Definitely longer than any I've ever made so far - possibly equal to all of mine put together. Sounds like a ton of work - I hope you aren't too sore now! I do love when it rains right after sowing seeds - I can completely see you wanting to run out there with the rest of the seeds!

    We had a lot of rain here this weekend, so I didn't get much done. Saturday morning, I chopped back my clematis (thanks to the other thread) and moved it to the other side of the arbor, tho kept it in its pot in case we actually get around to putting footings in for the arbor. I also chopped down a couple of baby weed trees (snip snip!) and weeded a ton of ornamental cherry tree seedlings. This summer I will be more diligent in getting the seeds out of my border! Sunday afternoon, when the rain finally stopped, dh and I cleaned out the shed and garage a bit, and got a bit more organized.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Memo, so happy to hear that you were able to get out and work in the garden. Please don't over do! Hmmmm....think that was already said? :-) Looking forward to seeing pictures of all your flowers blooming.

    We poured the concrete slab for the garage on Friday, so of course it rained all weekend. We were down over 4 inches of rain for the month of April, but after the 5.75 inches of rain we got from Friday night until this morning, I think we have caught up!!! I did get out on Saturday when there was a break between storms and spread Preen on all my beds, but think that it now has been totally washed all the way through the soil to the center of the earth!

    My sister was down for the weekend and we went to the local nursery's open house on Saturday. She bought quite a bit, but I just got a few annuals. A little early to put them out here, so will need to keep them in the porch for a few more weeks. Take care and have a great week. Marylu

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Memo, you are doing good girl.

    First for roses...have you tried the explorer roses? Or Morden roses? or now the newer Artist Series? You should be able to grow some of the rugosa roses. Also buck roses. Any of these should do well for you.....should you need a rose for somewhere in the future.

    I hope you pile the rocks somewhere in your garden, they are supposed to chase away bad vibs. lol.

    With the rains, you will probably see tiny sprouts when you get a chance to plant up the last little bit. You know that is the good thing about gardening, there is never any rush....it will get done or it won't.....it will still be waiting for you to finish it. Remember no one else sees what you haven't finished, they just see what you have done. Also depending on the perennials, some won't bloom till the second year.

    Now for me in the last week. Lets see, I finished the impatiens blooming bags. Potted up the rest of the begonias, still waiting for some to arrive. Transplanted seedlings into pots and trays. Filled some larger blooming bags for petunia cuttings.....took many petunia cuttings and still have many to do. Potted up perennials that I have purchases bare root. Checking the max/min temps in the greenhouse everyday. I have 2 rooms full of plants and every window sill is full as well. lol. Bring on the sun...

    There is still a lot of snow in my yard. I can see the raised bed boxes in the front now and the driveway bed....although there is still some snow there. There is soooo much snow still on the side garden, I am wondering if I will see it before July. lol I dug strips through the veggie garden area to make it melt faster and that seemed to work. As the snow is disappearing around the edges, crocus and chinodoxa already have flower buds on them. :)

    Sierra

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Hi everyone~

    Well my "project" pales in comparison to yours MeMo! On Sunday I purchased one started pumpkin seedling 'Jack-'O-Lantern, a pale pink carpet rose (that I have been wanting for a long time), two small cherry tomato plants (Husky Cherry and Yellow Cherry, an heirloom variety), one sweet basil plant, and a single 6-pack of mixed sweet alyssum.

    Today, everything got planted except for the pumpkin seedling, which lost one of it's two leaves in transport from store to home, so I'll wait to plant Mr. Jack 'O Lantern when it gets a teensy bit bigger.

    Happy planting everyone!

    Becky

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Putting in a brand new border is a hard job, from start to finish. My back hurts just reading your post. Don't let the two big "W's" get you down (weeding and watering!) :)

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Farm girls are made of tough stuff!

    I have been weeding and weeding, just one patch every day. I am on the mend and don't want to push myself too far. With all the rain we are getting now, the weeds are getting away from me. Seriously, it looks like a jungle on the north side of the house. Horrible mess, but I can only do so much.

    Yesterday I used the weedeater and cut several large areas, trimming along flower bed borders, cutting the grass paths, and tidying up the back and south yard.

    I woke up today TOTALLY crippled up. I pushed myself too far. What a dope!

    It is chilly, with gray skies and drizzling rain today, so I won't be doing any weeding or any other yard work. I am looking out through the window on the north garden and wishing I could get out there and do some weeding and pruning in that area.

    What is that old saying? "God watches over fools and small children.".
    Take care, MeMo.
    ~Annie

  • PRO
    16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Pace your activities, ladies. Do a little, come in and rest. Do a little more, come in and rest. While you rest, computer work. Work smarter, not harder is not a cliche. Every one of you needs a blog so we can watch your gardens grow.

    My project of the past two days was to empty the last plants from my little greenhouse and drag out all the hoses and hose extensions for the in-ground water outlets.
    Baby Buffy is such excellent help that it only takes twice as long. I have new pics in the Gallery including one of the very last of the rooted cuttings that await planting.

    I look forward to watching the progress of your very ambitious flower bed, Memo, Mary Lu's building project and everybody's flower projects.

    Nell

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Memo - you're a machine - not!!! You take care; remember that yes, our bodies can heal, it just takes longer as we get older (and usually not smarter)!!! lol - feel free to quote this back to me ;-)). Awesome work. I got 10 asparagus roots in. Fed a lot of bulbs - so many are coming back in this new to me garden, that weren't here last Spring. So cool. I got one pear tree planted on Sunday. Yesterday was 30C/80F? - not sure - too hot too soon. Major rain overnight, which is good. Cool today. The next 2 days will be double digits. 1st rain barrel is fitted with all but the screen lid. Yea!! More to come!!

    Nancy. PS - re keeping the roses alive, how about soaker hoses from rain barrels?? Worth a shot.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    I am exhausted just reading about everyones work and projects..you inspire me.

    The weather here is still pretty iffy..few nice days..lots of not so nice. Today was 48 and rain rain rain..cold cold rain. Sat and Sun were in the 70's. My project of the week was a bit corney, but I like it. We replaced some broken step stones that meander thru my grass to my little cottage thru the lawn. Replaced them with solar step stones. A bit corney I know..but there is no bathroom in my little cottage...it is about fifty feet away from our home so when guests need to meander to the house to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, it is nice to see where you step...not a fan of much solar stuff....there is nice stuff out there...and then there is some cheesey....these are decent as solar goes. Got them at Cosco..five I think for around forty bucks. Very heavy duty...they stayed lit until dawn the next morning...which is much improved for solar in my experience....now to plant grass where we dug.. :) And it will be done.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Keesha - do what the Roman did!!! They put white quartz or marble into the pathways as "cat's eyes" - these are white stones that reflect the Moonlight. It has an amazing effect.

    Nancy.

  • 16 years ago
    last modified: 11 years ago

    Nancy..I did not know that...I will have to experiment with that..I have some other areas that could benefit from that..

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