Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Another Big Project Finished - Whew!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! 

Sweetie surprised me with a sweet bunny centerpiece on Easter, which makes me smile every time I look at it!


The weather sure was lovely here in the mountains, what a blessing after such a long, snowy winter!

It was the perfect weather to get outside and tackle one of the biggest projects on my spring-cleanup list. 



It did not survive the winter, and it needed our help desperately. 


The wood rotted out in many places, the corners had burst, and the garden had all but imploded.


It was a sad state of affairs, for sure. There was no way this garden was going to survive another summer without some serious repairs. 

She was in very bad shape, my poor little Crooked Country Garden


I headed off to our local lumber yard with my list and necessary measurements, and the lumber was delivered that very day. 

You have to love a small town lumber store for service, don't you? 

I was ready to tackle the repairs on my own but Sweetie made me promise that I wouldn't touch a thing until he was there to help me. 

Even though he's only got one good arm. 

Yup, my little one-armed bandit has been recovering from yet another shoulder surgery, and has been in a sling for ages. 

Either way, he made me swear I wouldn't start without him. 

Because he says my tools are toys and he was going to bring his big-boy tools to really do the job right. 

Okay. 


Well, in the end, he was probably right. I don't think my tools would have been up to the task, and there would have been a lot of choice words coming out of my mouth, had I been tackling this on my own.

My plan had been to 'sister' the boards with new wood, using metal corner braces to help make the structure more sturdy. 

As it turned out, many of the boards were beyond saving, and had to be ripped out. 


At the end of a very long, hot day, I had a garden that I hope will survive for quite some time. I don't know how long the other boards were in place, as I only own the house for two years, but hopefully I'll get some time out of these new boards. 

I did not use pressure treated wood, as I garden organically and didn't want the chemicals leaching into my soil. 

I know that might come to bite me in the butt, but I felt strongly about my decision. 


We reinforced the boards both inside and outside the garden, sistering where we could save the old boards, replacing where we had to.


I know without a doubt that if Sweetie was not part of this project it would have had a much different ending. 

For one thing, there would not be all these nice square, somewhat level, beds. 

Nope, no way. My patience would have run out before we ever made it inside the fence. 


At the end of the day, we were completely exhausted, could barely walk, and were both very grouchy. 

Extremely grouchy. 

But I have to admit, my sweetie was right. 

Don't tell him I said so. 

Meanwhile, where were our helpers through it all?


Yep, you guessed it. 

50 comments:

  1. Wow! That was a big job, but it looks great and I am sure it will function well, too. Can't wait to see what your garden grows. ;)

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    1. The seeds are started downstairs, Kim, but I still have a lot of work to do to get the beds ready for planting! Spring chores never seem to end!

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  2. Gotta love those helpers,
    Quite a few years ago,my hubby was working under our mobile home and his 2 helpers,AKA our labs,were right under there with him...not sure he appreciated their assistance:)
    Our little 1,Baxter,of course had his tennis ball with him in case there was time for a throw.
    Your garden rehab looks great.
    I have a black thumb so don't even try.

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    1. Oh my gosh, how funny! I can just imagine my little Monkey doing the very same thing with her favorite squeaky ball!

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  3. The garden looks great. Now onto all that wonderful produce you will grow.

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    1. It's nearly time, Marty! I'm excited to start heading to the garden at meal time instead of the freezer!

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  4. Hey those dogs don't want to be with grumpy people. LOL. I love that your sweetie helped you. I hope you made him a nice supper and drink after all that work. Don't tell him...but a woman could build a house with a tack hammer if she set her mind to it. LOL. I know you are going to be growing some good food there. Blessings to all of you, xoxo, Susie

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    1. I agree with you 100%, Susie!! And yes, he got a wonderful dinner and a cocktail, for sure - he earned every bit of it!

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  5. It always feels so good to get a big job like that done! It looks great and It's going to be a wonderful garden space!

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    1. It's great to have it done, at least for now, Linda! I have to get out there and get the soil ready now, and clear out all the old growth. Then the peas can get planted!

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  6. it looks so much better and I am sure you are happy to have that done! and ready!---soon you'll have so many neat things growing there!

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    1. Soon....but not soon enough! It is time to get the peas planted, though....hopefully within the next week!

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  7. your garden now looks ready for spring and some plants.

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  8. It looks awesome ; your hard work paid off :)

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    1. It really was a tough job, Deb - yikes! Wrestling those big boards was a workout in itself!

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  9. The garden looks great now! Cant wait to see it at Bloom! Im sure you will keep us posted and I cant wait.
    Lisa

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    1. You know I will, Lisa! I can't wait to get started planting!

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  10. Oh, those dogs live the good life! So glad this project is behind you. I don't want chemicals in my garden space either.
    Brenda

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    1. We also have well water, so I definitely don't want the runoff of chemicals in my water source, Brenda. I've been gardening organically for years!

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  11. Wow! I think you're going to have to quit calling it the crooked little country garden. Great job!

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    1. Well, it still sits on a slope, Rita, so it's still quite crooked....just not as much so now! :)

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  12. That's exactly what my helpers do too lol

    The garden looks great! I can tell it was a lot of work. Good on you guys :)

    I was out all day in my front yard and I'm exhausted looking at the backyard, like... blech! Not today you scary mess ;) Soon though!

    I hope you had a great Easter and that was so nice of your sweetie :)

    xoxo,
    rue

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    1. I spent the whole day clearing garden beds the day before....and the day after....this big project. I thought I was all done, was so happy, and then realized I forgot one! I looked at it and just couldn't get the energy to tackle that one also....I was SHOT! It was time for some of my raspberry gin and a sit on the swing, followed by a hot bath! :)

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  13. That was a big job! Now you can start planting and watching things grow. Hope your sweetie's arm heals soon.

    Enjoy your week ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Soon, Lorraine - I should be able to get the peas and lettuce in next weekend, I hope, if the weather agrees.

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  14. It looks great!! I love the high fence and how it is all portioned out. Can't wait to see what you plant in all those spots.

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    1. I'm working on a garden plan right now, AnnMarie! This year I'm actually going to pay attention to 'companion planting' and see what happens!! )

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    2. Thank you Debbie!--'do you like to wear hats?

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    3. I do wear hats - not that terribly often, but last summer I bought myself a few straw hats to wear to keep the sun off my fair skin!

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  15. What a gorgeous garden bed! I just love your "helpers". :) May you enjoy a beautiful spring and a wonderful week!

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    1. I love my 'helpers' also, although they definitely don't do much to help, that's for certain!

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  16. The design of your garden is great! It will be beautiful and easier to reach your plants. Sounds like your one armed guy is a keeper.

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  17. What a huge project! I can't believe your guy did that after shoulder surgery and with his shoulder in a sling. His doctor and/or physical therapist might be yelling at him!

    Guess what I made for dinner tonight? Your chicken sausage/onions/peppers/spinach with grilled polenta recipe! It was fantastic. Though my polenta didn't turn out too good, because I don't have a grill pan nor a nonstick pan - because I won't use Teflon. I think there might be "healthy" nonstick pans on the market now though, so I have to look into those. Anywho, I used my Le Creuset frying pan with a little EVOO. Even on a low flame, the polenta stuck to the pan, plus didn't get that nice char on it. Oh well, I ate it anyway! ;-) Your recipe is a definite keeper.

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    1. His arm and the rest of his body yelled at him enough, Melanie! Hey, I'm glad you liked the recipe, I seriously love that dish!! Maybe next time you can try the polenta on the grill or in the toaster oven, right on the rack....or even stick it on a sheet pan and broil it on each side for a few minutes?

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  18. Spring seems to bring sore bodies, doesn't it! But, it looks like your fur babies knew better. ;) I can't wait to see what you put in your new beds, however it looks like you might need a little more soil first... or not. After seeing all the work you guys did, I feel guilty when I look out to my garden, so I guess I will attempt mine tomorrow. Wish me luck!

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    1. You are so right, Vickie, I lost a lot of soil with the collapse of the garden. I need to get at least ten bags of good compost, which no doubt will be followed by more soreness!! I also bought some kelp meal and I'll add some organic plant food and mix it all up with my garden claw. That will be a project for this weekend, if the weather permits - then I can get the peas and lettuce started, yippee!!

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  19. Isn't that where our little garden helpers always are!! LOL Your new garden beds look so nice just waiting to be planted and I love your Easter bunny centerpiece. So pretty! Nancy

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    1. Thanks, Nancy!! I am really anxious to get them started, but first I need to do a bit more work to them. The work never ends in the spring, am I right?

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  20. I love the bunny centerpiece! Gosh, that was a big project. Don't you just love getting things like that finished and crossed off the list? It looks really good. I've been meaning to tell you, I like the profile picture of you and your daughters. You three are so pretty...all of you!

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    1. Awwww, thanks so much, Henny! You are so sweet! And yes, it certainly feels good to get that crossed off the list!

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  21. I get excited just looking at your garden-in-waiting. What a fabulous spot. There is just nothing like planting seeds in the springtime.

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    1. It's all about the promise, isn't it, Pattie? As gardeners we always seem to be looking towards the future....what's getting ready to bloom next? I think sometimes I have to remind myself to stop and enjoy what's blooming right now!

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  22. How nice to have that project done and almost ready for planting! I know I would have thrown in the towel with the first corner that didn't match up. We've got fence repairs and staining to do as soon as it warms up and the fence dries out, but our repairs will be on a much smaller scale than yours. Enjoy the weekend!

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    1. There is always so much to do in the spring, Vickie, isn't it a wonder we get it all done?

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  23. YOur garden looks lovely now and it was nice of your Sweetie to help you with it. :) You both deserve a nice cool cocktail after all that work. :)

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    1. You better believe it, Debbie - that's the first thing I did when we were done!! :)

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  24. That was definitely a huge job! Your Sweetie is a top-notch fella. The garden looks fabulous, all ready for your magic touch. I just love those two little "helpers" of yours.

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    1. He's a good man, Donna, no doubt. He has so much to do at his own place but always makes time to help me out also.

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