Updated: Spent 2 hours clearing more brush and old fence out of the Fairy Glen/Asian Garden area. I got the next section of fence out and it just keeps looking better and better. I had to cut down to the ground the huge wild rose, and it is in bad shape, having been choked by honeysuckle, so don't know if it will regrow. There's a metal fence post right in the middle of it; I doubt that I'll get that out without lifting out the rose as well, so it might not be a big loss if the rose goes. Mostly just a lot of cutting and hauling; tomorrow, I'm going to turn west and start working my way down into the actual Fairy Glen. There's a big hackberry tree that needs a lot of attention right off the path....lots of dead limbs that should be cleaned out. I'm curious to see if any of the small bulbs that I planted down there years ago have survived...I remember putting in a lot of grape hyacinth, but they are tasty things and I dont know if they've survived.
There's a natural "two step" ledge running parallel to the main path, so I'll definitely be clearing the soil back from that to expose more rock. There's a section of rock lying across the path which just begs for a couple of rough steps to be put in.... I'll have to take a notebook up with me tomorrow and start making some notes and measurements. Just very very pleased with the whole look and feel of that area. Now that it's had nearly 20 years to its own devices, it's transformed itself into a very pretty spot. I actually think I might go very lightly as far as planting goes....it's nice just the way it is! I'd like to put in some spring bulbs, maybe a few ferns and a little unobtrusive groundcover, but otherwise...we'll see.
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It occurred to me yesterday that before I spend another $ on plants and goodies for the gardens, I better put some attention to infrastructure: namely, HOSES. I've got a couple of those cheap plastic-y things...never buy a cheap hose. What a waste of money. Those (2 I think) should be replaced straight off and I really should get at least 2 more so I have a way of getting water to the stumpery. As soon as the weather is warm enough for me to safely try to fiddle with hoses (if they're frozen they'll crack), I think I'll inventory what I have and budget some money for new ones.
In the excitement of gardening, I tend to let the "grunt work" slide. I've got to finish putting in the underground fence along the south side of the garden (talk about grunt work...yikes). I've got to lay in a hose conduit up along the side of the deck steps. I'd like to put up some hose holders and posts at strategic points in the garden. I have the hose holders, but not the posts... I still need to sand, clean, and oil my tool handles. There's plenty to do before I even think about plants!
Sweet potatoes: Utter disaster. I started about a dozen cuttings and they rooted well and were doing great until the bugs started in on them. I sprayed them with soapy water and that seemed to take care of it. Then all the leaves fell off *HA*. I took the rooted stems and planted them in a big pot of compost. They seemd to be doing good, putting on new buds/growth. Then, one morning, they mysteriously DISAPPEARED. I asked R and he said that during the night he'd heard scratching around coming from the office and found the youngster cat in the potted sweets. he'd not only dug them up, he'd tossed them on the floor ("Dratted weeds, what are they doing here in this comfy little litter box up here on the table. *sighs with contentment* what a view!") Anyways, after THAT, his sister decided these must be new toys "Ooo boy! new toys!" and dragged them all over the floor and into the hall, spilling compost along with. Needless to say, the plants went into the garbage.
So anyways...back to the tried and true method. I sorted out about a dozen small sweets from the harvest and potted them into a dishpan of compost. It's on the kitchen table where it will get light and warmth (with a cage over it to keep the cats out!) and hopefully in a couple weeks I'll see some sprouts. Hanging baskets...I wonder if hanging baskets would keep the cats out. And then I get this mental image of cats suspended from hanging baskets, swinging back and forth like monkeys "Wheeeee! "
It's supposed to be a nice day, temps near 40, so I'm spending the morning in the office and then so long fellas I'm outta here.
Discussions:
| Thread Title | Last Reply | Replies |
|---|---|---|
| It would be nice to see all that progress, I'll bet it is as pretty as a picture by Seedfork | Jan 16, 2015 12:32 PM | 0 |
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