Oh, the two of us are outside working and working and working! Don cleared yet another area that has been bugging me for about 15 years. Today, we have to load up several tarps-worth of debris and drag all of it over to our seemingly permanent piles of old wood, former trees, etc. I put two plants in the ground in the big garden, watered everything. In the middle of it all, we drove to the grocery store for our pick-up, came back home, and disinfected everything.
We’re really tired at the end of the day, but it’s such a good tired. Good to be outside once again, to be working on our property, to have projects going. Lockdown has been good for Don. He has lots of projects going.
This morning, we came up with the idea of building a rustic fence – ourselves – to replace the chicken wire mess we have now. We don’t know the first thing about it, but we can surely figure it out. And the key word here is rustic, which is in keeping with our property, and is also highly forgiving in terms of execution. So now we’ll do some research.
Hey, we’ve got nothing but time this summer.
These are some of the wild violets that self-seed in the shade garden. I love them and look forward to their arrival every year.
Is today the day I finally move the Boston Fern to the porch? And the geranium that I overwinter? I’m a bit hesitant, which is understandable considering the fact that I moved the fern outside way too early last year.
The clematis is full of nice, fat buds.
So, more work outside today. It’s cloudy right now, but hopefully we’ll see some sunshine.
Stay safe.
Happy Sunday.
Mmmmmmm. Violets. Looking forward to your fence project. I love rustic, you know. Happy Sunday!
Thank you, Shanna! Stay safe!
Do you have any tips on overwintering geraniums? I love them and would love to try and save them, unfortunately I tend to be a plant assassin. I think that I love them so much that I over water them. Having the plant indoors over the winter would help to cheer me up. Heaven knows we need something to bring joy.
I place them in a sunny spot and water the pot every 10 days. You could do it weekly, but no more than that. They’re sort of dormant and you don’t need to water them as much as you do in the summer. Mine always gets a lot of new growth toward the end of winter/beginning of spring. Stay safe, Christine.
You have a lot of trees on your property, of which you need to cut branches now and then. You could use the thicker branches as poles and weave in thinner branches. It saves money and at the same time you get rid of a lot of stuff you normally dump somewhere in a corner of the garden, or you have to take it to the garbage place. And you will have a very nice rustic fence, grow clematis or other climbers around it. Search internet for ideas.
Thanks, Dorien. Stay safe!
I realize most summer’s one or both of you are gone but you have such a large property, have you thought about growing food? Not even a regular garden but the odd fruit bush etc? Blueberries are pretty hardy. Being vegetarians that certainly would cut back on trips to the grocery store/lower grocery bills. More like an English garden though (a bit wild) so it doesn’t given you tons of extra work. Different varieties of things like sweet potatoes, regular potatoes and even tomatoes take almost no work
We have thought about it and still do, but there’s already such much to do around here in terms of garden maintenance. I’m not getting any younger and neither is Don. We would also have to install deer fencing, which can be expensive. Deer live on and roam around our property and if the garden isn’t protected, they will eat all the food. PLUS, we live in the midst of lots of farms and can get vegetables readily, for much less money than the grocery store charges and much less than it would cost to invest in fencing and raised beds.
The weeds have been winning in my yard but I am working on it a little bit on each nice day. Slowly but surely, I hope to conquer those weeds! On a beautiful day, it is such a pleasant “hobby” to sit out weeding. Glad you and Don are enjoying your lovely property.
I was weeding this morning, Ellen. It’s a never ending battle! Enjoy your day and stay safe.
I hope you are taking pics of the areas Don is working on. And you are right….with everything cancelled for this spring/summer, all we have is time. So it’s a good time for us at least, to do some of those outdoor projects we’ve been thinking about.
I’m curious to see your rustic fence. We have a very small wall to build to keep mulch in…so we are using small stones and rocks that I collect. I always say…use what you got first.
It is raining here today…and tomorrow, so no planting. But you carry on, and enjoy! Stay safe above all else! ;)
I don’t think pictures would really show anything. Most of what Don is doing is cutting away dead wood from years of brambles/wild roses. It simply opens up some of the property but it wouldn’t be all that exciting to see.
I suppose if it’s raining where you are, it will rain here tomorrow or Tuesday! Stay safe, Donna.
Well, if weather moves west to east, you may be in for a chilly, rainy day tomorrow. Not freezing. Just that cold, damp, rain and drizzle. Well done on all the work you’re doing. Love the idea of the rustic fence!
Stay well!
I don’t think your rain is headed this way. Looks clear here on Monday and Tuesday – a slight chance of rain on Wednesday. We did a lot of work today and now we’re wiped out! Stay safe, Jeanie.
looks great!
i agree … it is a good kind of tired for getting things done. i feel that way finishing projects (which, for me as a renter, are all indoors) … and just plain good for being outside.
your idea to create a rustic fence sounds perfect. hope you will share photos when it’s done.
i am taking it easier today because yesterday was tough.
hope you all have an easier day. and will tell me if you’ve found a source of bleach wipes (please and thanks)!
kathy in iowa
No, I don’t have a source for bleach wipes. If I find some, I’ll buy two and send one to you, okay? Promise.
that’s very kind of you, claudia … but please keep all the bleach wipes you find for you and don. i was just hoping you or others here had a (brick-and-mortar or online) source for consistently finding bleach wipes so i didn’t have to keep “making” my own (because besides being one more thing to do, it’s not going so well).
thanks again for your sweet offer. :)
hope you and don are having a nice night … and hopefully that includes dinner on the porch!
stay safe!
kathy in iowa
No dinner on the porch – too many bugs! xo
A very rainy and quite cool day here today (high of 55*) and ditto for tomorrow. But, at least it is not freezing!! Your fencing project sounds fun. Look on YouTube for ideas for project specifics, too. One thing that we have found with YT is there are just as many “oh, my, we would NEVER do that” ideas as there are lovely ones. Sort of entertaining, and we have learned a few things even from those, as well. As everyone says, if we don’t do it now, we likely never will. We have a few projects in the works here, too.
Hope you have a good Sunday. Stay safe and stay home, everyone!!
True. If we don’t do it now, it won’t happen – that’s for sure! Stay safe, Chris!
Hi Claudia,
Isn’t it so wonderful to get outside! And I can’t wait to see your primitive fence.
You love morning glories, and I was wondering if they self seed? Maybe it is too soon in your area, but did you find some popping up yet? Because of the quarantine, I wasn’t able to buy seed–and it takes months on line to get some, or they are out of stock! But I’m pretty sure I have some popping up from the ones last year, and the photos look like their leaves on the internet. It’s so exciting! Or else I am babying some happy weeds!
They don’t self-seed here. I wish they did! I think we’re too far north. They did self seed when we were living in San Diego and I know in areas south of here, they are sometimes considered a nuisance (Never!) because they self seed and spread. Where do you live, Alice? I sure hope you have some popping up! Stay safe.
I live in north Texas in a small town, Weatherford, near Ft. Worth –in a house built in the 20’s, so I very much relate to what you write about your beautiful home. Thanks for your reply, there is hope that these are morning glories!
You live in a warmer climate so I’m pretty sure they’ll self seed. xo
There’s that white violet that I admired in the past! I have never seen them until yours and I’m looking forward to the pictures of your clematis bloom! Oh, the merry month of May! Enjoy!
I will. You, too, Kelly! Stay safe.
Oh my gosh, it’s rained continuously almost 24 hours now in SE Wi – 5 inches worth! That’s one way to keep the idiots home and away from the taverns and bars. I so enjoy seeing your garden pictures. Sounds like you guys accomplished quite a bit. We’re supposed to have rain another day yet then I can’t wait to get out and see what has sprouted. We have what looks like a brand new creek in our backyard.
That’s a lot of rain, Kay! My goodness! Stay safe.
While Ive never been a gardener, I can see what satisfies people about being stewards of their land, the feeling of good work (not cyber), and having your hands in the dirt. Also, the greens and spots of color. It’s a mixed blessing that you and Don have the time to devote to your property this year. Take care!
We’re enjoying it. We can get a lot accomplished since we’re self-isolating. Stay safe, Nora.