Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Spring has Sprung and I Need a Clone!

Doesn't it always seem there are not enough hours in the day? Either that, or I seriously need to figure out how to clone myself. 

When the weather starts getting nice out I just can't be kept indoors. I'm kind of glad the weather was nasty out the past while, to give my back a chance to heal. Because, otherwise? I would have been out there playing in the dirt, doing more damage. 

Now that I'm feeling better, I have a lot to catch up on! Everywhere I look there are spring projects just waiting to be done. 


My full time job prevents me from spending as much time as I'd like doing many things....however, it also provides the funding for many of my projects so I guess I can't really complain!

If there are things you want in life, you must work hard. Period. End of story. 

So, the pots that I dumped out into the new garden bed right before I hurt my back still sit on the potting bench, waiting to be cleaned and put away. 


The Plant-Tone waits on a shelf in the garage for the weather to stabilize, so that I may spread it's magic around to feed the perennial beds. I throw handfuls of this into the beds right before a steady rain and let nature wash the nutrients into the soil. 

By the way, I also include a little Plant-Tone in every hole I dig for a new plant. I mix it in with the dirt so it's not directly touching the roots, and then place the plant in the hole. Gives the new plant a little extra boost. 


The Vermont Compost Company Container Booster is on hold until I see if anything is coming back in the containers that overwinter in the garden. If nothing shows up in a few weeks, I'll rip out all the old plants and boost the soil in the container with this magic elixir before planting anything new. 


The peonies I bought at Lowe's a while back are waiting to be planted. I think it might be safe....soon. 

The birdhouse, which I also bought at Lowe's the very same day, was hanging in an evergreen tree for all of about two days before it broke and fell to the ground. It needs a little TLC. 


The new herb boxes for the deck have arrived and sit in the garage awaiting assembly. 

Let's be honest here, this is all Sweetie. He's much better and much more patient at that kind of thing! I get terribly frustrated putting things together....it never seems to go as planned!


These hose holders have spent the winter in the garage as well. My sweetie picked them up ages ago and will put them up soon, when he has a nice day and some spare time to do a few things at my house. 

On that note, I have had the Suncast Hosemobile for about three years now and although I didn't like it much, it did the job. That is, until recently, when all of a sudden something burst and there was water spraying out like mad everywhere!!  

I got soaked. And I got mad. 
Suncast Hosemobile
This time around, I'm going for a much sturdier model. I'm tired of all this plastic junk. Give me something heavy duty that will actually last!! Why do companies make products that only last a short while? It's so frustrating to have to keep replacing things that you spend good money on, money that you've worked hard for. 
Eley Portable Garden Hose Reel
This is the model I'm getting this time around. And it better last as long as I do!

There I go, off on a tangent again....no surprise there, huh?


Back to spring projects awaiting my attention - the flat of plants I bought last week is patiently waiting to be planted. 

I know I can put the Snapdragons out now, but the others may have to wait. I'm going to do a little more research on how cold hardy they are, and also keep a close eye on the night-time temps. Fingers crossed!

In other news, I think my stupid bear may have paid me a visit last night. 

I heard a weird noise around 5 AM when I was lying in my bed, not sleeping of course....hot, cold, hot, cold....the usual story. 

I thought it was one of my daughters, up in the kitchen getting a glass of water. 

But maybe not....


....because when I went to feed the birds, I found this. My poor little metal mesh feeder was mangled. 

I've been taking in my two expensive feeders at night and just leaving out this mesh feeder, the suet cage, and my flat feeder. 

The suet and the flat feeder were fine. But this one, that hangs right by the tall staircase to the deck, was obviously attacked by something very strong. This metal is tough - I could not bend it back with my hands, not even the slightest bit!

Oddly enough, the feeder was still hanging from the hook, and the hook wasn't torn off the deck this time. 

Maybe Mr. Bear doesn't like this seed? 

I guess I have to go back to bringing in all the feeders every single night, so Mr. Bear takes me off his dining route. 

Drat. 

One more thing I need to do every morning and night now!

See? I told you....I need a clone. 

No doubt. 

21 comments:

  1. Wow you do have a lot of work...don't over do ...you have to take care of your back or you won't be able to do what you want. Your poor bird feeder...looks like something squeezed it. Our birds went thru lots of food during all that wind, rain and snow. We need more feeders too. We had one of those plastic box shaped hose reels...they were for ever falling over if you pulled the least on them. I hated that darn thing. Now We just pull the hoses back toward the house. In front we lay it into a box behind the shrubs..in back we pull the house toward the house and drape it over a house mounted holder. So much easier than trying to roll up a long hose. Blessings to you little garden girl. xoxo, Susie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My birds have been going through a lot of food, also - it's funny because I just found an old post where I had the feeders up for a while and had no birds visiting! That certainly has changed!!

      Delete
  2. Oh my I do understand the "needing a clone" feeling, especially in the spring, it seems I am being pulled in a dozen different directions! How are your seedlings doing? I have been busy and will try to catch up with what you did to your back, I'm so sorry to hear you injured it! And oh my, your bear story... so crazy! It's hard to imagine the strength of the bear bending the bird feeder like that. So sorry that you are having to deal with that. So far here, we haven't seen any bears, and my bird feeders have been out nonstop. Apparently "your" bear is quite persistent and very hungry! Take care of yourself... it will all get done somehow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My seedlings are all coming along nicely....except for the darned celery!! I'm not sure why, but I have had no luck with the celery. Oh well!

      Delete
  3. Oh, my! I'd be pretty skeert knowing a bear was messing around my house! You be very careful. Now you are really on a roll and I hope you can plant your pretty blooms soon. Sorry about your soak! :) Oh no! I know you'll get all of your gardening chores done, just don't do too much!
    be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, you'll be pretty skeert when you read today's post then, Shelia!!!

      Delete
  4. That mangled bird feeder is scary! Looks like lots of spring work to be done...your outdoor spaces are going to be wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, there is lots to do but the weather looks great this weekend for getting things done! Can't wait!!

      Delete
  5. Just had to show my Husband your bird feeder. Thats just crazy!
    Lisa

    ReplyDelete
  6. you're like me. I'm just so ready for the dang cold weather to be gone for good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The ten day forecast looks great, Ellen, for the most part - I'm so excited!

      Delete
  7. It must have been the bear / a raccoon wouldn't be strong enough. Sheesh! Here nothing that is an annual goes in the ground until the end of May as a rule though our May months have gotten hotter over the last few years, becoming more like the start of summer. I would think that your peony should be safe to go in soon though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it was the bear, Deb. And yet? Not a peep from the dogs!!

      Delete
  8. It must have been the bear / a raccoon wouldn't be strong enough. Sheesh! Here nothing that is an annual goes in the ground until the end of May as a rule though our May months have gotten hotter over the last few years, becoming more like the start of summer. I would think that your peony should be safe to go in soon though.

    ReplyDelete
  9. We had a pretty little bird feeder on a Shepard's hook on our hill. Our ground is so hard I had to hammer the spikes into the ground and it took about 5-10 of hammering to get it into the ground. We woke up one morning and the Shepard's hook was bent over and the bird feeder had been tossed way down the hill. NO MORE! We only feed the finches now...lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, we've lost quite a few shepherd's hooks around here, too!!!

      Delete
  10. I have raccoons that are very strong. They bend metal and break my feeders to the point I can't feed the birds and I miss it. If anyone has an idea of how to get rid of raccoons I would love to hear it. In your area though you are right could easily have been that darn ole bear!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would need to bring your feeders in at night, Rita - that's the only answer!

      Delete
  11. You sure have a lot of plans for your yard - go you! I'm not good at putting things together either. So glad I have Brian to do that for me. That is really scary about your bird feeder. Didn't know you had a bear nearby, but guess I shouldn't be surprised since you live on a mountain. Yikes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We have more than one bear nearby, that's for certain. And I HATE putting things together!! With a passion!! My sister, on the other hand, loves it. Weird!!

      Delete

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your busy day to leave a comment...I truly love reading your comments and I try to respond to each and every one of your sweet comments right here on my blog page!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
09 10