Saturday morning I made a list of what I wanted to accomplish this weekend.
The husband looked at me as if I was crazy because I really wanted to accomplish it all in one day. The fatigue reality of it all took over. I was not going to get everything accomplished. All but two items were completed on that list. I would have ordered new checks if they had been open Monday. That one can wait till Tuesday morning.
But here is one project I did get done.
Impatiens planted along the east side of my house. It really needed to be done and you will agree once you see the “before” picture.
I have more weeds than I really should. These are mostly morning glories. they were pretty last fall but this year I am replacing them with Scarlet Running Bean. So I need to be on the constant lookout for morning-glory sprouts to prevent them from taking over. Here is a picture of the sprouting scarlet runner.
So the husband issues a challenge for me to get this project done before supper. I have my new garden gloves (thanks, Sandy) and a half flat of impatiens. There is also an empty five gallon bucket waiting for weeds and such. The such being left over compost from the winter.
So I start. I clean out weeds and any old compost on the left side of the door. Then I begin digging one hole at a time. Dig hole, place plant, fill in hole, dig hole, place plant, fill in hole, over and over again.
Meanwhile, one of my neighbors is having a party. They are Mexican and I listen to many genres of Mexican music – as can the whole neighborhood. Tejano, disco, rap, traditional. At some point my new neighbor starts playing piano – everything from Beethoven to Garth Brooks.
I really don’t mind as it helps my task movie that much more quickly. Soon I am done with the left side and start working on the right side. While I am working, I notice a toad hanging around. In fact, he is the toad the kids caught the day before and we made them set loose. Well, I am pretty sure it is the same one.
The husband is firing up the grill and getting hamburgers ready to cook. I am getting done when he makes a comment.
Nicely done, Rumbly! The after picture is great! You certainly earned that freshly grilled burger. I love the toad, too. Had to look hard at the photo to find him. He’s a good hider. ~ Lenore
He really dug himself in. I checked this morning and he was gone. I hope that means he is off hunting slugs and was not eaten by a snake.
Great job! At least you had music to help you along and burgers as a reward! 🙂
My burger had swiss cheese on it. It was the best reward for all of that hard work.
Wow you are good. We are inundated with stink bugs (so appropriate for Baltimore), I just don’t want to plant anything. They eat it all. Your work looks beautiful.
Perhaps they will fall to hot pepper water spray.
Oh, I am so jealous! I wanted to get some backyard work done during my 3-day weekend, but had to much to do inside to even start. I am so behind this year. My front yard is looking rather nice. All my pots are planted (well, all but a few small plants), my little side areas are cleaned out and the plants and bushes are looking good, and the driveway side has a good start.
Sounds like even though you worked hard, you found joy in your day with everything from toads, music, and good eats!
I am behind in my garden work. I have two beds that need serious work. But first I am painting the kitchen this weekend. I wanted it done last weekend but you can’t do everything.
Ah, Impatiens, one of my favorites. Unfortunately we are apartment dwellers and really have not place for them. Hopefully that will change soon. Sounds like you had a delightful day. Enjoy your flowers and post some pics from time to time to let us see how they are thriving.
I will do that. When I lived in an appartment that had a back porch, I made it into an oasis with fuschia and other shade plants. This year I am making sure to plant some begonias in pots that I can bring in the house this fall.
No amphibians in my little courtyard, I’m afraid, but quite a few reptiles make their presence felt every time I move a pot or sweep underneath the concrete bench. Most disconcerting. But I am reconciled to co-existence…not just with them but also with the resident bumblebees in the holes in my bamboo trellis, whose life’s mission it is to chase me away every time I venture out to water the plants. I’m sure all these insects and geckos are serving some grander purpose than just freaking me out!
Gardening sure is hard work, isn’t it? But so rewarding. I just discovered my first tomato today, in a plant I’ve been nurturing for months….had vowed to kill myself if it didn’t bear fruit soon!
Hope your garden overflows with lushness after all your hard work 🙂 Nice job with the roses!