We do.

They're so eager to make a dollar but either don't comprehend or believe they can fool us. Some may not know the plants so it's a double whammy on us. Either good plants are tossed or bad plants get tender loving care.

I thought I'd get more patient and more tolerant with age...wrong.

YUP. On that page too.

DW is on the same page too
You need consistency and a job done to your specification. "No ifs, ands or buts". That's one of the reason why I like doing things myself. I understand that this is not always possible. It is hard to find good help these days.

Mike, I agree. After three or four years of Mow and Go for fall cleanup.
I hit 80 and just couldn't keep up the mid season weeding.
When my garden guy showed up again last fall ,I was thrilled because he recognised perennials and knew how to care for them. He could prance among the plants and dig a dandelion out of a iris clump.

I had forgotten about his shortcuts like not pulling weeds and covering everything with compost. It all came back when I saw yellow dandelions thru the compost. Add the no shows and no calls, I just had it.

Yep, it's time, Jo Ann. Something like that is part of why I have very little grass left in front--the guy who was supposed to come mow didn't show...for the third time in a row. I got piss...um, determined to not allow that to happen again. Grabbed the garden fork and started digging.

This is what the front looked like in March, 2012:


March, 2016


April, 2017

Looking good There went his mowing money

I have always loved your choice to garden the whole thing.
Here is my old house with a yard that takes 5 minutes to mow, including the backyard.
The front setback from the sidewalk was about 8 feet,filled with spirea when we bought in 1957. No before photoz but this is the job I had done after "the man " left.
Front,retaining wall and plantings.

Back

I particularly want that 'back', Jo Ann.

Plants are really cooperating with nice growth and shapes and forms.
Todays album. I also found deer damage,eaten hostas and phlox, might need to re -review BOBEX as a repellant.

Gorgeous

Very nice !

Some pix of latest dwarfs and Anemones,Geranium.
Blueberry Sweetie


Midnight Delight


Cashmere Rose


Anemone Sylvestris


Hardy Geranium, Samobor

Garden this AM

[lightbox]2017-05-19/ge1836/89cf4b[/lightbo
Saxafraga


NOID Lilac


Midnight Delight echo


Saxafraga

Beautiful could your NOID lilac be Sensation?

Ginny, I just don't know anymore.
I failed to make a note.

I know the feeling

It's still dark so no pix yet.
I had to let the garden guy go.
He wasnt coming to work ( weed and compost ) and wasnt calling.
Plant orders were backing up ( 30 plants from 3 vendors )
This was a three day job that had taken 2 weeks. You bet I was boiling. I was firm and even toned when I said I had to let him go because the job was taking too long.
I hired a woman "LOST TROWEL " last fall to weed and clean, terrific job.
She came yesterday and weeded ,bind weed,ginger,lamium,dandelion to mention a few.
She fit me into a busy schedule and the gardens look fantastic.

Alas one of the issues with garden-guy was he just composted over weeds ,when I pointed that out he agreed and ten minutes later was just composting again.
Sun is coming up. Time to go forth and pix.
Back later.

Pix for today

Good you made that change, Jo Ann.