A Glorious Day of Gardening
What a great feeling to be able to put away
all the garden gear as the square garden is ready
for the season. Photo by Dennis
With Temps allowing for lighter weight clothing I didn’t need an invitation to hit the backyard. I put breakfast on hold for myself while Dennis enjoyed his usual breakfast of Oatmeal. I headed for the potting shed to get out the electric Mantis tiller. I had not been able to use it since the 2010 garden season and there was a bit of dust to blow off of it. After Dennis gave it a once over we were set to garden like there would never be another chance.
Over a period of time there was created a square garden in the backyard with multiple perennials. Dennis and I always make use of what we have on hand, thus using old bricks to outline the garden perimeter. It not only defines the area, it also was the boundary not to be crossed by wayward lawn mowers, grandchildren and grand puppies. As with anything, if it can harbor a weed, it will harbor a weed. Tipping the bricks out and using the tiller among the beautiful plants proved to be a balancing act as well as keeping a check on where that blessed electrical cord was. It was time for the bricks to be plucked out of the dirt they had sank into and nab those weeds that love to crop up in between them. The surprising thing about these bricks is that they are very, very old bricks. I swear they weight 5 lbs. each. My finger tips can attest to their quality. Tipping them out went much faster than putting them back down. Such a difference from the lighter weight terracotta new bricks used today.
A clean slat was achieved with Dennis helping out with the tiller. It can be a wily machine. It digs and will take a path of its own if not held back. I was fairly certain all of the plants that I had anticipated had made themselves known. It was the best time to use a sprinkling of Preen to keep down the volunteer weeds. Preen works wonderful when used on freshly tilled dirt and this dirt was fresh.
What a great day with a light breeze and best of all we had beat the bug season. What would a summer feel like without swatting and dodging bugs? We can only wish.
After the square garden was tidied up, Dennis put the Mantis back in the potting shed − as he mandated this had been enough for one day. I easily said “yes dear.” Life on Stauffer is never boring, but it sure is sweet.