The above god-awful mess has been in place for many, many moons, ever since I wrecked my back trying to do too much at one time, so since at least 2012 and probably earlier. I have daydreamed about taming this beast and installing a new, back-friendly garden but never quite got around to it. Darling Spouse even made a couple of attempts but was driven back by the ferocious greenery.
Finally, last fall, I said “enough.”
I’ll skip the part where I called half a dozen places, looking for a contractor willing to do such a relatively small job. Suffice it to say it was educational. I made a choice, did some haggling and signed a contract. Saturday, May 4th, they showed up for the first time.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge.
We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
The work done that first day was not extensive. It’s been far too wet for them to use heavy equipment so all they were able to do was chop down anything that held still long enough with chainsaws. Since that didn’t take long, they were kind enough to run around our property with me and cut down some other nuisance trees and shrubs that needed removal.
Even that small progress made the whole area look better, especially after Hubby and I got in and did more work around the patio. We got a whole lot of photos, both before and after, because my Darling knows a photo op when he sees one. ;)
Before . . .
After, with Attack Gardener. I was just digging out the last of the daffodils that needed rescuing. They went into a wading pool on the patio and will stay there till the foliage dies off. The bulbs will then be delivered to anyone who doesn’t duck fast enough at work in a few months. :)
Before . . .
After the contractor was done . . . (still digging daffodils — honestly, there were hundreds of them!)
After I was done. I cleared all the vines off the pergola on the left to let the honeysuckle regrow without the grape vines. The rose on the right side of the right pergola needed a major overhaul. It took over 3 hours! I pruned out all the dead wood and tied the remaining canes up and out of the way. There is a lot of new growth at the base so it will fill back in within a year or two. Rescued daffodils, tulips and daylilies in wading pools on the right, potted rescues on the left.
The pots have daylilies I found still struggling in the scrum. I was amazed at how many had survived. Of course, it would have been nice if their name tags had survived but we can’t have everything. ;)
The little birdhouse on the left with the green baffle annually hosts a family of house wrens — their nest is about half finished now and I expect to see eggs before too long.
I had to punch holes in the bottoms of these pools for drainage so we’ll have to buy Gracie the Wonder Pug a new pool this summer. I did finally finish digging up the darn things! See the little gold-leaf hosta in the middle pot? I have no idea where it came from. It just appeared when I was searching for lost daylilies. As far as I remember, I never planted hosta in that area at all!
A good overview — the area between the two pergolas down to the grass will hold 10 raised beds for veggies and herbs. The area to the left will have a bed of daylilies and whatever other rescued plants I come up with. Part of it will revert to lawn, as well.
This is a good view of the back gardens and my beloved sun room. Our pond faces directly into the center of the sun room so we always have a good view.
At this point in time, the project is on hold because we can’t seem to put two days together where it doesn’t rain. The contractor won’t bring heavy machines in to finish the clean up until it’s fairly certain they won’t get stuck or rip up our lawn. It’s pouring as I write this, so at the rate we’re going, my next update won’t be till July!
Here are a few other shots because why not? All from this year.
White-throated sparrow — we’ve been inundated by these this year! I’ve never seen so many and they are very bold. They come right up on the sidewalk and eat peanuts — usually they won’t come close.
Blue jay stuffing his face. We usually get half a dozen or so.
White-crowned sparrow — we only get one or two of these and not every year. This year we have two.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male — one of 3 males we’ve seen so far this season. One of the others has a very pale red mark and I think he was here last year, too. I’ll have to check my old photos and compare.
Eastern redbud coming into full bloom behind the garage. This thing seeds like crazy!
Tulip “Silver Parrot”, caged to keep the bunnies from nipping them off
If anyone is interested, I’ll have plenty of daffodil bulbs to share and I also have redbud tree seeds if anyone wants to try one from seed. Just Kos mail me and we’ll discuss! :)
So what wonders do you have planned for this year?
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