Weather in the 60s today meant the seedlings got to spend the day outside. I was expecting some fairly strong wind gusts, so I didn't take the tomatoes out today. I really need to devise a little sheltered spot for them. Since the wind gusts didn't happen, I wish they had gone out after all. It was a perfect day for more garden and yard cleanup, not too hot, not too cold.
I finished removing all the dead morning glory vines from the kennel garden, then raked it all out. I did burn a tiny pile that was left after filling a large garbage bag, but it's basically ready for garden preparation. The inside perimeter will get a good application of composted manure dug into the narrow beds to get it ready for
Grandpa Ott morning glories, nasturtiums and Johnny Jump Ups. The columbine that was moved there last spring from the fern garden, where it was being crowded out, is really enjoying its new home. It is already putting forth lush new growth.
The sod was hauled off yesterday, just a few small pieces are left to be removed. Mr. Granny spent the day burning the smaller roots and garden trash that couldn't be composted. Tomorrow he'll begin cutting up the large roots so we can do who knows what with them. We'll probably have to just put a few in the garbage can each week, until they are all taken to the landfill.
The yard still has the "winter uglies". I should have taken a before photo, it looked much, much worse before I removed all the dead Four 'O Clocks, alyssum and tons of leaves.
"The "servants' entrance (LOL, it's just a pet name for this side of the house) was a real mess of pine needles, boughs, pine cones and sycamore leaves, plus the winter killed foliage of all the ferns that thrive here. I probably spent 2-3 hours just cleaning up this area alone, including trimming back the bushes that want to bite me every time I walk through here. This will be "tomato alley" again this year. Mr. Granny has been asked to find a better place for the concrete blocks and the metal pipe.
Mr. Granny was really very helpful today, he even cleaned off the patio for me! Methinks I need to do some patio decor this year, it's looking quite dated and shabby.....just like Granny and Mr. Granny :-)
I finished removing all the dead morning glory vines from the kennel garden, then raked it all out. I did burn a tiny pile that was left after filling a large garbage bag, but it's basically ready for garden preparation. The inside perimeter will get a good application of composted manure dug into the narrow beds to get it ready for Grandpa Ott morning glories, nasturtiums and Johnny Jump Ups. The columbine that was moved there last spring from the fern garden, where it was being crowded out, is really enjoying its new home. It is already putting forth lush new growth.
The sod was hauled off yesterday, just a few small pieces are left to be removed. Mr. Granny spent the day burning the smaller roots and garden trash that couldn't be composted. Tomorrow he'll begin cutting up the large roots so we can do who knows what with them. We'll probably have to just put a few in the garbage can each week, until they are all taken to the landfill.
The yard still has the "winter uglies". I should have taken a before photo, it looked much, much worse before I removed all the dead Four 'O Clocks, alyssum and tons of leaves.
"The "servants' entrance (LOL, it's just a pet name for this side of the house) was a real mess of pine needles, boughs, pine cones and sycamore leaves, plus the winter killed foliage of all the ferns that thrive here. I probably spent 2-3 hours just cleaning up this area alone, including trimming back the bushes that want to bite me every time I walk through here. This will be "tomato alley" again this year. Mr. Granny has been asked to find a better place for the concrete blocks and the metal pipe. 
Mr. Granny was really very helpful today, he even cleaned off the patio for me! Methinks I need to do some patio decor this year, it's looking quite dated and shabby.....just like Granny and Mr. Granny :-)
That patio looks comfy to me! I bet you almost never sit there, though. How could you, with all this work you do? Sounds as if you had a fine day today.
ReplyDeleteDianefaith, I had a good day, but I'm feeling it tonight! It's almost time for my "Tylenol cocktail", LOL!
DeleteThat is a LOT of work ! You must be exhausted! I get a ton of inspiration from you!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteKris, I'm plumb worn out tonight. You're inspired...I'm tired. :-)
DeleteOh Granny let me loose on that patio! I'll have it all prettied up for you in no time :-)
ReplyDeleteLiisa, you haven't finished designing my front flower bed yet!
DeleteYou'd have a hard time prettying up the patio. You'd have to get those awful chairs away from Mr. Granny first. To him, comfortable is just good enough! Really, you should see the 30 year old chair he wants to put on the front porch! I said absolutely not, it is going to the dump! Or to the curb with a "free" sign....somebody out there would want it. I don't.
I must admit, the old rocker on the patio is mine, and I'm not parting with it. :-) The orange chair was my Mother's, and dates back to the 50s. I won't have it in the house, but it's hard to get rid of something like that. It's solid maple, and so heavy I can't hardly lift it!
Can I do the patio first... Please? I would keep the two chairs as well as the white one. As for the fold up chairs...I can decorate around them no problem or just fold them up until needed ;-) Oh how I wished you lived closer!
DeleteLiisa, Mr. Granny was already informed the folding chairs would be replaced this year, but with new folding chairs. I have family here a lot during the summer, so we need them all, especially for the smokers! I hate the white chair! If it stays, I'll have to borrow back my sewing machine from my daughter and make a new skirt and pad for it. That was my chair, in my bedroom, when I was a teenager!
DeleteActually, I'd like to chuck them all out and buy a nice wicker set, with a comfy rocker. Oh...we have two more folding rockers. They are practically new, but really too large for the patio. I usually put them on the front porch.
I like the white chair... well at least from the photo. I think I would remove the skirt, maybe paint it and add new cushions. A new wicker set would look very nice on the patio and I think Mr Granny would take to it with no problem... well maybe after some grumbling ;-)
DeleteSo many possibilities!
I covered the rocking chair cushions a few years ago (when Mr. Granny's man cave got painted green). If I get new chairs, or wicker, I'll have to cover them again....yuk, not my favorite chore! We have all that outdoor furniture because we brought the AZ stuff home with us. It's not in very good shape, the AZ heat kills everything.
DeleteLooks great Granny! At least somebody is able to get some gardening work done!
ReplyDeleteNot without resorting to tantrums, Robin, as you well know.
DeleteThat is an interesting idea of a kennel garden, what do you normally plant in there? I bet climbing beans and peas on the inside perimeter would vine right up the chain link.
ReplyDeleteKris, here is the story about the kennel garden:
Deletehttp://tinyurl.com/7ndmppv
Here is a photo of how the pole beans climb on it:
http://tinyurl.com/6qqxxz6
Here it makes a secluded, shady place to sit and rest:
http://tinyurl.com/78s2kgy
This year it will be the planting spot for peas and flowers, the peas will probably be followed by pole beans.
That is awesome, thanks for sharing those pictures. That is exactly what I imagined it looking like.
DeleteI love columbine. I had to leave mine at the other house when we moved. It was so hard to drive away! Your garden is really looking great. I can not wait until this wet cold spell goes away - I want to get the rest of my new raised beds ready. But since we live in the desert, I can not complain too much about the rain. We always need more rain.
ReplyDeleteChristy, that poor columbine was being smothered by ferns. It should flourish in the kennel garden. We have rain forecast for the next two days. I do hope we get some, it's getting awfully dry and I want to get some onions and potatoes planted next week. I'll be so happy to get some colorful flowers back in those desolate flower beds!
DeleteI put my cool season vegetables out today,too. I 'm afraid this spring is a tease here in the midwest. It seems like an early spring. We are a month early this year with everything! I have so much stuff to do this week. We have to cut all the fall flowers, grasses etc. I leave them up in the winter for the little animals in our yard. I have the resident rabbit that stays in my fenced yard over the winter. I figure so she does not get eaten! I need to stop by more often to vist your blog....I'm so eager to have fresh food! :-) robbie
ReplyDeleteRobbie, everything is still blossoming when we leave for AZ in mid October, so it's always a big mess to clean up in the spring. Now that we won't be going south for the winter, maybe I can get much of the work done in the fall and not have to work so hard in the spring!
DeleteLucky you to have a nice to get so much done. Yesterday was in the 30's here, but I did get more lettuce started indoors. Today should be in the 60's. I am going to start my garden prep so that I can my peas planted and the spinach planted in the garden.
ReplyDeleteThe weather here has been such a tease for me. Every weekend it is in the 30's and 40's, but during the work week it is n the 50's and 60's!
Ed, our weather has been erratic too. That's why I try to get as much done as I can on the good days. All work has come to an abrupt stop now, as we are getting that much needed rain. I might just take the time off to plant the tomatoes.
DeleteOh, how I would love to have a patio that I could see the floor! Mine is covered with boxes of books. And lumber and windows for my garden shed that never got built. And an old treadmill that needs to go to the dump. Oh, and a wheelchair that hubby doesn't need anymore. (Yippy skippy for that!) You give me inspiration, Granny! I'll start cleaning! Hope you are feeling ok today, after all that work you did. Thanks for showing your little piece of the world.
ReplyDelete~~Lori
Lori, just before I took this photo there were two rolls of old carpeting and chunks of ripped out carpet pad right in the middle. The pad made it into the garbage can (in very small pieces), and the carpets went out front with a "free" sign and were gone in 30 minutes. Not showing in the photo is the harvest gold cast iron double kitchen sink. It was too heavy for us to carry to the "free" spot, so we'll wait for a son to drop by to help.
DeleteAt least I gave you a glimpse of the bad that comes before the good! Now get busy ;-)
As usual you are putting us to shame with all your productive work days. I was feeling all proud of myself for knocking so many items off my to do list on Friday/Saturday and then I read your post and realize what a slacker I have been! LOL!
ReplyDeleteBeen an open early spring for us too and I am about a week ahead of schedule on getting the early items into the ground. Planted sugar snap peas on Friday. I think that is the earliest I have ever planted them. We have a big tree removal project getting underway soon. Got everything arranged yesterday and the work begins on Monday March 19th. Hopefully my side garden will get more sun in the future and have more options than just potatoes and greens.
Yippee, Kitsap! You did send us some of your rain :-D That means I'll be able to plant the peas this week. In the meantime, I'm going to go ahead and get my tomatoes started, it's only four days early.
DeleteI have those celery plants out for the entire day, enjoying the rain. I was concerned about planting them this soon, as my garden bible says night temps under 50F can make them bolt to seed prematurely. I do think I'll try planting out the largest half dozen soon, and save the other six for another week or two.
The key is to harden them off gradually so that they do not go through shock/stress. If accustomed to the cooler temperatures gradually, the celery does remarkably well. I think your plan to do some now and some later is a good idea - hedges your bets.
DeleteTesting, testing...will Annie*s Granny work?
ReplyDeleteYES! It's better than all that & # 39 ; mumble jumble!
DeleteHey yeah! I don't feel too bad reading this because I had a "Grannyesque" weekend, and actually got some stuff done. Also, with the help of some anti-inflammatories, I can walk today too!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you can walk, IG. I had yesterday off, and couldn't hardly get my body out of the bed this morning. One day off and I'm stiff as a board :-(
DeleteLove the patio. nothing like a comfortable place to settle and look out on the garden!
ReplyDeleteComfortable it is, David. Even though it (and Granny) needs a face lift!
DeleteYou all have so much going on around there this year! I can't wait to see the new garden in full bloom this summer!
ReplyDeleteMe too, Jody! I lay awake half the night trying to envision how it will look from the rocking chair on the patio ;-)
DeleteI'm checking in late here, but wow it looks like you have stayed busy. It's just amazing how much you have gotten done and so many changes in store this year!
ReplyDeleteErin, I got a couple of days off due to bad weather. I'm champing at the bit to get back out there!
ReplyDeleteHi granny your cleanup sounds just like mine we've done 2 runs to our local dump in the past 2 weeks just getting rid of scrap wood and the yard still isn't clean. I actually got the lawn mowed yesterday before it started to rain and filled up both greenwaste bins but we still need to prune back all the overgrown plants :( it's a neverending job. I'm sure if you ladies don't want to haul things off to the dump there's bound to be a freecycle chapter in your area that would love all your used items.
ReplyDeleteGaby, I think this cleanup is never ending. Just as I get it cleaned up, we get another windstorm and down come the pine cones, needles and branches again.
DeleteI can't get on freecycle here. I canceled when we went to AZ, supposedly for the winter, and when we ended up selling that property and coming home in November, I tried to get back on. My status won't change from "membership pending", even though I've repeatedly contacted the moderator. I find things go really fast if I put them at the curb with a "free" sign. I haven't had to go to the dump yet this year!