Saturday, September 7, 2013

A HOE LOT OF GARDENING!



Well, I hope I haven't bored you silly.  Wednesday I treated myself with a trip to Home Depot.  Perennials are all marked down, some 4 for $10.00.  I will share those with you later.  And...my son is going to give me a huge rosebush that he has blooming in the yard of a property he recently bought to rent out.  I haven't seen it yet, but if it's free, I'll take it! lol!  And yesterday I bought a ton of shredded bark to neaten everything up and protect the new plants over the winter.  All I have to do now is add some tulip bulbs as I do every fall.  Now...this is a total surprise for The Husband.  So far he has not ventured out into the backyard to see anything I'm doing, and in his own daffy way, he never questioned why I wanted him to bring home a few gardening tools from the lakehouse last weekend.  This is his second weekend in a row up there without me.  He and his brothers have a big reunion there and take in a Notre Dame game (our home is just 30 minutes from Notre Dame).  So...I am going to get that mulch in this weekend and I have to return a hose to Home Depot and I think I will use  my refund on a few more plants! ;-D

Okay, I'm off to find my gardening gloves. I was in heaven all week long with temps in the low 70's.  Today is 88, I don't know how that happened.  And we have rain in the forecast tomorrow, So I want to get my work done.  I will try to have my camera ready when I surprise The Husband on Monday!! :)

XO,
Jane

46 comments:

Claudia said...

Well, you know I love gardening! But it can be tough on the back and knees. I sometimes feel so sore when I'm done.

Who would poison squirrels? What a terrible thing to do.

xo
Claudia

Beth said...

Hi Jane, I love the title of this post! You worked hard, and it will all be worth it when you reap the rewards. Getting rid of those weeds this year will get you ahead for next year. I just hate weeds, especially ones with burrs. It has been so very dry here that our weed population is less than normal. Not gone, but not as bad as usual. Enjoyed your post!

Primitive Stars said...

Hi Jane, I also love your title of this post, made me chuckle.....love gardening to latly I find myself having a hard go with the knees, back, getting old I guess.....People can be cruel, know Squirrels can be a pain but they are Gods creatures too.....Blessings Francine.

Sarah said...

Jane, you have been busy! I'm going to hit the gardening full steam ahead this next week. It's still hot, but I have to get started soon.

Barbara F. said...

I admire you, Jane. I feel the same way, and I try very hard to push myself! I like your coffee table vignette. xo

Pondside said...

Wow you've been busy! This week I'll try to get the winter pansies planted so that there will be little colour December through February.

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

That week looks mighty nasty! Hope it dies a slow painful death.

Good work on the back yard. I'm afraid I had husband and only daughter work on ours today. We're having a baby shower here at the end of the month and it needs a bit of grooming. Okay a LOT of grooming.

Love your daughter's house. It is so pretty and fresh. Clearly she got some of her style from her mama!

Art and Sand said...

I have to admit that I have been making excuses lately about my garden. With our new puppy, I have trouble watering or else she will get soaking wet. When I week, she does too, but she doesn't understand which plants are weeds and which are flowers.

I need to take your advice tomorrow and just do it.

bj said...

Hi, Blondie...you are working your little butt off right now but it will all be so pretty next spring.
Around here, the city offers little traps to catch the squirrels, then they pick them up and not sure what they do from there. The little critters eat thru utility lines, cords...all sorts of things.Such pests (but they are so cute!!)
We still are in the low to mid 90's here....very much summertime.

Lynn said...

Sounds like you've been busy Jane! Make sure you pour yourself a glass of iced tea and enjoy all of your hard work:@)

It's me said...

Always nice to work in the garden.....have a nice sunday...love from me...x!

Rita C at Panoply said...

Hi Jane,
Gardening is probably one of my top ten passions, and my landscape is constantly in maintenance mode, even if it's just to clean birdbaths, change hummingbird feeders, water containers and bag the never-ending weeds and dead heads. By this time of year, I look forward to putting it to bed.

I know exactly what you mean about the need for tylenol - but what a satisfying feeling after it's done, right?

Ahh, and miles to go before I sleep....
Have a restful day!

awal.ny said...

Jane, I know how you feel. I have been delaying the weeding because of the mosquitoes. Really it was just me not having the motivation to do it. So while I was waiting for the kids to get off the bus, I decided to try and tackle one garden bed. Wow, done, on to the next. Even us avid gardeners go through the any excuse phase. I do find that after I have been gardening I feel so much better spirit wise, not so much body wise though. Enjoy the rest of your gardening. Alaina

Julie Marie said...

Hi Janie... of course you know my first comment is going to be I would love to get my hands on whoever is killing those little critters!... I would be their worse nightmare!... you have been working so hard... I'm sure you are tired, but it's a good tired knowing how much you have accomplished. Everything looks great!... we have Burdock everywhere in the fields around here... it does look pretty when it blooms though, and I often gather the dried heads to use for Autumn decorations... you should take a pic of your hubby when he sees what you have done for the first time!... you coffee table looks nice with all your decorating books out... now you need to sit down with a cup of coffee and look and them and rest!... xoxo Julie Marie

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Good for you, Jane! You certainly accomplished a lot and I'll bet you are enjoying the look your labors brought about. I was the same as you when we were at our old house ~ my back and legs couldn't take the up and down anymore. I had switched over to pots on the patio and was thankful I put in a lot of perennials when I first planted years ago. They pretty much carried the garden beds.

I want to put in a Japanese Maple here {small} to replace an overgrown evergreen. I'll have to check out Home Depot for the tree and some perennials to plant around it.

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

YAY someone that is sweating too! :)

Just came in from mowing the grass and our humidity is back today so it is nice to read a gardening post. I have alot of cleanup and trimming to do as well ...you are ahead of me ! :0 )

SONS: I REALLY loved when the oldest said not too long ago " Mom you are starting to look more like Grandma " Meaning I am getting older and fatter by the minute! :)

Burdock: I want to go google that now as I have read about it before but in the oontext that I thought the old timers used it for a tea or medicine or something. Curious....

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

YAY someone that is sweating too! :)

Just came in from mowing the grass and our humidity is back today so it is nice to read a gardening post. I have alot of cleanup and trimming to do as well ...you are ahead of me ! :0 )

SONS: I REALLY loved when the oldest said not too long ago " Mom you are starting to look more like Grandma " Meaning I am getting older and fatter by the minute! :)

Burdock: I want to go google that now as I have read about it before but in the oontext that I thought the old timers used it for a tea or medicine or something. Curious....

Stacey said...

Aren't you feeling proud of yourself for all of that work? It's so worth it, I think. I love it when I make a commitment to myself and follow through. No excuses. :) Great job!!

Sometimes I have the thought that maybe my days of doing something are over. But no!! I don't want to give in to any excuse that makes me feel old or unable.

Sonny G said...


wow girl. you have been doing some back aching work.. be careful~!

I admire your spunk with that burdock weed .. It took 3 years for me to get rid of mine. I finally dug all around them and torched the roots.

Thanks for the view into your week.. sending you good vibes for an easy breezy finish so you can be done with it..

xoxo
Sonny

Lisa @ Texas Decor said...

Girl...you've been working hard!! That weed you had with the burrs reminds me of something similar we have down here. We call them "sticker burrs" but I don't know what they're really called. My parents had a place down in Galveston when I was little and they would drag us down there every weekend (I hated it because I'm not a beach kind of person...too much sand LOL!) anyway, there were always so many sticker burrs down there and they stuck to everything. I can't believe how many of those bags you filled up! I just bought some of those bags for my hubby because he's getting ready to do the "big garage clean out of 2013." Ha! I love your new window on the mantel. So very pretty!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

There is always a great sense of accomplishment when you work hard and then see the results! Sounds like you have been very busy working hard. Happy to hear about the Asheville thing!

Leslie Harris said...

Don't you love how our kids can say something that is both funny and right on at the same time? It sounds like he got you motivated at least hahaha I'm so impressed with all that you got done in the garden I bet if feels so good. I still have to tackle Michael's bedroom. I'm definitely procrastinating! Because I can make an excuse for anything :)

must love junk said...

Wow-you were truly industrious! But good for you for just going for it and tackling what you love to do!:)
(I love the look of your mantel, btw)
Susan

Lori E said...

I have very large garden beds with lots of perennials in both the front and back yards.
When I went back to work 3 years ago the poor garden became neglected so this year I hired a friend of my son's to clean it out. My son helped him and they are 90% done in the front. The back will be much easier and my back and knees won't hurt at all.

Low Tide High Style said...

It looks great Jane, and except for the dead squirrels, I'm sure you felt great when it was all said and done! I think we all make excuses about various things, and sometimes when our kids point those out to us, well we can't deny them. ;-)

xo Kat

Kit said...

Wow! You really did a great job. :) I am winding down with gardening for the year. I will mow today if the showers will stop for awhile. I am looking forward to winter and a bit of a rest for my back too! It is now cooler here and I am loving it. You have the best week! Kit

Unknown said...

Oh you put me to shame!! I did a little "clean up" around the front steps, but nothing at all major! Moved some pots out, trimmed some plants back, that is all! Hubby keeps everything mowed. He mows for about 2 to 3 days per week. Living on 10 acres has its pros and cons! I always enjoy your posts, and hearing from you!

podso said...

I am impressed with all your work! All those trash bags, and dead squirrels too? I may have asked my hubby to do the carcas removal. Your yard looks so pretty. And I bet you felt good inspite of needing the Tylenol. I like the way you've done your mantel and now I must go to Emily's home tour!

Theresa said...

Send your Son my way, I could use a gentle nudge:) All of your work is really paying OFF:) Enjoy your week! Can't wait to see the end result! HUGS!

Doreen@foxdenrd said...

My back hurts just thinking about all the work you did! When you said you used 39 gallon bags, I misread it and thought you said 39 bags! lol. Nevertheless, you did A LOT of work.

I have so much to do at the cabin on the outside, but it's always been my MO to work on the inside of our homes first. I think by next year I should be ready to get my booty in gear.

Melanie said...

You have been crazy-busy in the yard, my friend! We're mostly done for the season, except for digging up the Russian Sage and replanting it elsewhere and possibly digging up the tiger lilies in front of the house by the driveway and replacing it with wild grasses.

Junkchiccottage said...

Hi Jane,
So happy to see you getting back into gardening. I love it but it is hard work on the back and knees. You go girl. It is so hard where we live with this crazy weather. It was so beautiful last week and now we are getting this crazy heat and humidity back again. Ughhhh!!! I love your coffee table vignette. So simple and pretty.
Kris

Yvonne @ StoneGable said...

I need your motivation, Jane! I bet you feel so accomplished. KUDOS to you!!! About that weed... it's a real monster!

Olive said...

Hi Jane, that is whole lot of work but I find that kind of gardening work peaceful and calming. I had an awful headache today but after an hour of trimming perennials I was much better. It is awful hot here but the garden still needs attention. Happy Gardening, Olive

Lori said...

You have been a busy lady ~ if there is one thing about gardening is that instant gratification. I love standing back and being able to see what you just accomplished. Great job ~ hope you got it all done before the rain. xo

xinex said...

You have done so much, Janie and it is looking good. Can't wait to see the flowers the. Our yard needs so much work and cleaning, especially in the secret garden. I haven't done anything there since spring....Christine

Rose Broadway said...

Bored silly? Absolutely not! I love your blog and all the work you put into it!

I'm much older than you so I will give you a little hint. You know the carts with wheels that you sit on and do your gardening? My cousin who's my age got one for $49. AND, SHE HATES IT! Says it's going back where it came from! She's going to do the same thing I did; I paid $2 at a garage sale for a little plastic stool about 12" tall. Works like a charm! You just barely lift your little butt and move it along!
Rosie from Raymore

Susie said...

Blondie, You have been super busy. Good job on the yard work...hey, that kind of work isn't so easy in the heat. I have a hard time raking like I'd love too. It kills my feet. Oh and forget rocking back on my heels in a squating position ..yikes. LIke the books being near at hand ..I do that too much. xoxo,Susie

Karen said...

Wow you are on a roll.I still haven't gotten around to cleaning up my garden. I've never seen that weed before it sounds like a nasty lil bugger. I like your window on the mantle.

Debbiedoos said...

You have such a green thumb Jane! You sure have been a busy bee.

Vel Criste said...

So sad for the squirrels... wish I had the talent ( and I guess patience) for gardening, not there yet, but trying, got a couple of indoor trees recently and hopefully, I won't 'kill' them!!!! :-)

Debbie said...

So much hard work, but a labor of love, for sure. Doesn't it feel wonderful to sit back and see such an accomplishment?
Wait until next spring when you really see the fruits of your labor.
Your mantle looks great, Jane! LOVE the windows!!
xo

Our Neck of the Woods said...

It's awesome that you're getting back into gardening! It can be a lot of work to get everything in its place, but it is so worth it when you're rewarded with the blooms and fruits of your labor! :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie! Oh, those were some good words from your son. I'm guilty of making excuses about doing stuff myself. Now I'm so glad you got back to your gardening and your backyard looks great. I need to do the same thing. Thanks for popping in to see me and I hope you're resting your little back now.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie! Oh, those were some good words from your son. I'm guilty of making excuses about doing stuff myself. Now I'm so glad you got back to your gardening and your backyard looks great. I need to do the same thing. Thanks for popping in to see me and I hope you're resting your little back now.
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Unknown said...

A full service stone paver mason company, Long Island Driveway Contractors can boast of providing retaining walls, steps, paths, etc. with enviable durability and beauty.