Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Progress & Improvements

Finally spring seems to have come to the mountain top and for a change the weather was cooperative when I had time off work!

Needless to say I took advantage of every second of sunshine and spent the entire weekend outside - and boy did it feel good!

 

There are still many more things to be done to get my property cleaned up for spring, but I made a good dent in the to-do list this weekend. 

Of course, as a blogger you know I have to take photos to share with all of my wonderful readers! 

The first project I tackled bright and early Saturday morning was my perennial bed and garden steps. Every spring this bed is a complete nightmare to clean up and as such a huge project I knew I had to tackle it first before I wore myself out. 


I swore last summer I was going to rip out those three rosebushes in the center of the garden but somehow they are still there. Maybe I'll give them one more season to redeem themselves. I'm not even sure the center one is still alive, I guess time will tell!

The Iris patch is coming up nice and strong, but I know I'll be fighting with the dreaded tansy to give it some breathing room, just like last year. 

Lord I really hate that Tansy! 


It's always amazing when I rake out the leaves how much new growth is under there, despite the fact that we still (yes STILL) have pockets of snow sticking around. 

I actually had to shovel some off the garden steps in order to finish the job!

The ground covers have been cut back, the solar lights straightened up, the steps cleaned, and the shrub at the bottom tied back....what an improvement over the photo I showed you in this recent post!

I must say it's really nice to have use of the steps again...they have been buried under snow for ages and I missed them!


The veggie garden was cleaned up, the soil amended and turned over, and the soaker hose put back in place. Ready for planting! 

If you want to see how I get the veggie garden ready for planting each spring you can check out this post that has specific instructions as well as some of my favorite garden tools. 


The garden bed next to my garden cottage got a good clean out as well, as did the pots around the garden cottage. Then it was time for a little planting and I can't tell you how wonderful it felt to be able to plant flowers once again! I'll add some summer annuals to the pots in late May but for now the pansies and violas that are scattered about soothe my gardener's soul and make me ever so happy!

The lattice on the bottom of the garden cottage did not get done yet....soon. Patience is not my virtue, but there are only so many hours in the day.  Sweetie is going to tackle it for me when he has time....but he's busy with his own spring clean up right now, and he has more property than me!


As if that wasn't enough to get done in a weekend, I decided to push my sore little body a little more and tackle something else that was on my to-do list. 

Remember when Sweetie installed this beautiful fence for me a couple of years ago? I really love looking down from my deck and seeing this split rail fence - I always wanted one, they are just so perfect up here in the mountains. 

In front of the fence on one side are Lilacs, Hydranges, and a rambling Rose. On the other side is Ninebark and Tangelo Barberry. They are all doing so well and I should even see flowers on the Lilac this season, I hope! They suffered a few broken branches with Winter Storm Riley but nothing too terrible....not like Sweetie's beautiful crabapple trees that were completely destroyed! 

Anyway, last summer after Sweetie installed the path to the veggie garden and I replaced the border around the surrounding garden bed with the left-over pavers, he ordered a pallet of pavers to be delivered to my house as a surprise. 

They sat there all winter, while I pondered exactly what projects I would tackle with them come spring. 

Well, tackle I did!


Look at how nicely the pavers finish off the garden by the fence line! I feel all fancy now!! I can hardly wait for things to fill in and green out to really see how nice it looks!


Here come the two inspectors checking to see if I did a good job!

Things went a little crooked at the far end, I think I was passing out with exhaustion about that time. I will have to fix that end before the pavers settle. 

But it really looks so good, and it's such a nice barrier from the 'wild' garden on the other side of the fence and the steep ravine. 

Love, love, love!! 


I freshened the mulch when I had the pavers in place and that garden as well as the Bloodgood Japanese Maple in the center of the front garden are all ready for spring!

You can see what the front garden looked like before all these improvements in this post. 

It's a good thing I keep a blog so I can look back and see what we've done and how things used to look! It helps to put things in perspective when I'm stressing about all the spring chores that still need to be tackled. 


I sure did get a workout this weekend - I think I broke my Fitbit record!

But do you know what my favorite project is that was completed this weekend?

This one!  Sweetie installed my clothesline and it was used for two loads of wash already!!

I just love seeing my clean clothes hanging out drying in the sunshine and country breezes - it truly is the little things in life, you know?

How did you spend this lovely spring weekend? Were you out playing in the dirt like me? 


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Sharing at:

 
 Garden Party

46 comments:

  1. Wow, you DID get a lot done. We did the same down at the seaside cottage - it's small enough that the two of us got most of it done in just three hours - and the sun is still shining today!

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    1. Doesn't it just feel so good to get out there and get things tidied up in spring, Karen Ann? It's such a sense of accomplishment!

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  2. Wow, you really have been working. Everything looks fabulous.

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    1. Thanks, Marty! I have been busy, that's for sure - and my body is exhausted now and glad to be back in the office for a rest!

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  3. You are the energizer bunny! That was a lot to get accomplished. Looks fantastic.

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    1. Well my batteries are worn down now, and need to be recharged! Hopefully by the weekend I'll be that bunny again!

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  4. I live in a tiny farmhouse in the Appalachian Mountains. I left the Pacific North West 3 years ago but keep waking up and feeling like I am back in WA state. Uggggg. Where is Spring at? Like you when the sun shines I run around and work sunrise into the dark to get things in order around my property. Looks like you got a ton done and bet your garden will look beautiful. I like to weed and dislike planting flowers and gardens, but I did manage to planted a bunch of perennials for a small cottage garden. Hopefully Spring will hit us full on sometime soon.

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    1. I'm so glad you stopped by, Tonita, because I had such fun going through your blog and reading about how you bought your house sight unseen and changed your entire life! You are an inspiration! You like to weed and I hate it but I love to plant so we should trade houses for a week each month ha ha!!

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  5. You are the hardest working lady I know! Your yard is gorgeous...it all paid off. Let's hope spring is here to stay!!

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    1. We're not done with the frosts yet, Kim - I see two nights in the 20's this weekend - hope my pansies will be ok! They can take a light frost but it depends on how low it goes....fingers crossed!

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  6. This looks beautiful! I so wish I could get my husband to do things around here that need to be done. I know he works hard, but he needs to stop with his business by 5 p.m. and do some chores around home. I have a to do list of things I can't do. I would love to have a split rail fence near my house. You done a fabulous job of making the place look good!!

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    1. Thank you, Carol! My sweetie is terrific for helping around my house - he tackles some big projects that I would have a hard time doing on my own!

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  7. Wow, you put in some major hours there! It must have felt great to get all that accomplished. The pavers really trim up that long bed well (love how the dogs are checking it out). -Jenn

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    1. You should see the mess behind the fence line, Jenn - there are blackberry brambles, that awful Tansy, more Sumac seedlings, and a huge drop off into a wooded ravine. I love that the fence and that line of shrubs separates the 'tamed' garden from the wild one!

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  8. Everything is looking good, Mountain Sister. I sure hope we are all on the up and up now!!

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    1. I sure hope so also, although we aren't done with the frosts yet, Mountain Sister! But I'll take it....at least I don't see snow in the forecast...fingers crossed it stays that way!

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  9. Great fitbit burn! Haha. I love my fitbit. I havent had a real alarm clock in years since Ive been wearing it. Haha.
    Your gardening is looking better. You will have it clean and crisp in no time.
    Lisa

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    1. It's getting there, Lisa - I still have a few more big projects to tackle but I'm off to a good start!

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  10. It rained last weekend, but I already had planted the annuals I'd purchased. Not that I won't buy more! I love the clothesline. Such a nice touch at your mountain home and so useful!
    Brenda

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    1. It's raining here today, Brenda. I'm hoping the rain will bring out the leaves on the trees and boost the Forsythia into bloom!

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  11. You were working hard this weekend and rewarded with how wonderful it all looks, waiting for you to plant, plant, plant.

    Happy Spring ~ FlowerLady

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    1. I have a bunch of cosmos started in the utility room, as well as some balsam and castor bean. I'll also get some petunias and impatiens at the garden center but that won't be for another month or so. I'll be starting some zinnias as well, they did very well for me in the past. Most of my gardens have perennials in them....some of which I should move if I ever get the time or the energy to do so!

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  12. I do love a cleaned-up yard...yours looks great! I love the tidy look of a border around the gardens. Your pavers are perfect for that. Last year my neighbor had way too many large border rocks and let me have as many as I wanted. I lined all my gardens around the yard. I did rake a little on Sunday but only got one garden done. It is just too much for my old body anymore!

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    1. Spring cleanup is tough work, AnnMarie, no doubt! I console myself with the fact that it's a free workout! I still have a half pallet of those stones left - I haven't decided what I'll do with them but perhaps a garden around the garden cottage when the lattice work is done.

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  13. Whoa, Debbie!! What a woman you are! Oh gosh, when I work that hard I sometimes can't sleep for restless legs or counting....in your case pavers, # of plants cut back, trips back and forth. Seriously, that was a week in a weekend. Congratulations. Hope your week has not been too taxing.

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    1. That's funny you said that, Rita, because I actually slept worse for a couple of nights after all that hard work - you would think I would just pass out but nope, my body was sore and kept waking me!

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  14. You have a beautiful place. Maybe you should have been a landscaper! Your new edging looks so nice. Great of your "sweetie" to get it for you. Nancy

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    1. Oh my gosh, Nancy, there's no way I could be a landscaper, I wouldn't have the energy to do this all the time! I'm just an avid gardener!!

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  15. Whoa! Hold on, I’ll be back. I just have to take a nap now. I’m tired just reading about all you’ve done!

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    1. Ha ha you'll be doing the same once your house is done, my friend! I remember all the projects you used to tackle around your previous home!

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  16. A clothesline is a thing of beauty! My daughter is getting an umbrella type and we will help her install it. Think I'll make her a clothespin apron and fill it with pretty pins. You are definitely related to the Energizer Bunny! We have so much to do here but can't do as much as when we were younger (like last year...ha!). You have the best sweetie! Love the edging...adds a nice element to your gardens.

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    1. Thanks, Donna! Hey that sounds like a nice gift for your daughter, she'll love that! What a clever idea! I have a cute little clothespin bag that I bought many years ago in Ireland at a Laura Ashley store - I love it!

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  17. Yes, I've been playing in the dirt! It's wonderful to do that - and feel that - again, isn't it? You got so much accomplished. I will admit - my hubby has been doing most of the work. My lower back (herniated disks) and the subsequent pain can't handle too much yard work, as far as bending over. Your clothes look so pretty blowing on the line in the sunshine.

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    1. They do look pretty, don't they Melanie? You are lucky to have your hubby to do the hard labor around your house, Melanie - my sweetie helps me out when he can but of course he has his own house to take care of as well! My younger daughter was a great help this weekend, she was my 'scoop and carry' girl for a while each day and that helped me out tremendously!

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  18. You've been busy and productive! I've been digging in the dirt most days, and I'm happy to report that things are looking clean and fresh. I love this time of year! Happy gardening!

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    1. I had every good intention of digging in the dirt this past weekend but freezing temps and snow kept me indoors, sigh!

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  19. You really gave yourself a workout and your mountain top is going to reap the rewards! I still have one small area to clean and then it will be all done. Such a nice feeling. I have been able to get back out in the yard. I take it much slower and our youngest daughter has been a great help. I usually have spring clean up done way before now. Today I planted Dahlia bulbs and tomorrow we will be spreading mulch. Gardening just makes me giddy. Truly is therapy for me! Thanks for sharing with the Garden Party.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. It really is the best therapy isn't it, Jann? Glad you are feeling better and able to get out there!

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  20. I love everything about this! Your gardens waking up, the dogs, the clothes on the line. What a good life. :)

    Don't you love being able to look back at your photos on the blog? That's one of my favorite reasons to blog.

    So glad you joined the garden party and please mark your calendar for May 25th. :)

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    1. I do love being able to look back at my photos, Stacey....I also have to look back at my recipes sometimes when I don't remember what I put into a particular dish to make it so awesome!

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  21. Debbie, you are amazing with all your accomplishments last weekend! The pavers fronting the split rail fence look wonderful. I can’t imagine how tired you must have been. Today, I will be weeding and planting! Happy Saturday!

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    1. It took me most of the week to recover, Pam! I'm not as young as I used to be, that's for sure!

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  22. We've been cleaning up the garden and putting out pine straw, etc. this weekend. I'm so jealous of your clothesline! I bet the clothes smell so wonderful when you bring them indoors.

    Linking from Poofing the Pillows,
    Ricki Jill

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    1. Oh they really do, Ricki - the sheets are on the line today, and there's nothing like laying your head on a pillowcase that's been dried in the sunshine!

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