Sunday, May 26, 2013

25 years of crabgrass roots


The front garden has turned into a mega project.  We have put in about six hours a day the last two days, with varying numbers of helping hands.  We thought we would finish today, but the old rock garden was down there, under an inch of crabgrass roots. 

My son-in-law and my oldest granddaughter, Rebekah, come to visit tomorrow.  Maybe they will pitch in for a bit, after the parade, before the cook out.  I really think we can lick it in a couple more hours with just two more willing participants.



The plan for yesterday was to clear out the section with day lilies and Aunt Laura’s iris.  Beth and Caroline came for lunch and stayed to help.  Beth was quite pleased; she’d hoped for some more iris and went home with two bags of iris and two bags of lilies for their work.




Today was to be all downhill.  The last section back by the steps and along the sidewalk, behind the lilies.  Emily and I were on it by nine; she was digging and I was sifting.  Jan came home from taking Hamilton to church and found us fighting the dilemma:  the old rock garden, currently engulfed by crabgrass.



We started a lovely garden out there twenty five years ago.  We even imported a couple truck loads of rocks for a rock garden at one end.  We weeded and fussed out there for a few years, but come the day the business took our full time attention, the poor garden went by the way.  Way by the way.  An inch of crabgrass roots over the stones by the way.

The rocks are out.  The kids decided they will go back along the foundation of the house, graded from large to small. Sounds like a fine job for them.  Laura also wondered how long the garden would look nice when we are done.  “As long as there are grandchildren here.”  She smiled.



It will be finished tomorrow, or early on next week.  (I’ll let you know if my son-in-law is a hero tomorrow.)  We had to offload one wagon of screened dirt today in order to keep on.  Maybe one more wagon load tomorrow, and the wagon already is half full.



And, all day today a sparrow alternated between the ridge of roof and the oak tree, voicing his total displeasure at our presence.   Mama sparrow continued her routine of tending babies; I occasionally saw her at the opening, passing in the grub.  We figured papa bird could just get over it. 




Suddenly Laura said “Look at the tiny bird!” and indeed there were two tiny sparrows in the grass, pecking at seeds.  Our presence did not disturb them in the least. I took some pictures and looked again.  They were gone.


27 comments:

  1. It's nice the kids will help you and it's good training for them.

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  2. What a huge undertaking. It's good you had so many hard workers!

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  3. I liked that hint about the son-in-law ... hope it works the way you want, however that is :)

    What a lot of work you folks did, and will be continuing to do. Nature takes over quickly once she gets started.

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  4. Lots of things going on. I love sparrows.

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  5. How wonderful that you can get the kids to help you. My granddaughters have good intentions and are a help for about 5 minutes.

    BTW, I loved your comment on Delores' post. After a day of working in the garden, I would love to have what Mick is taking just so I can stand up straight.

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  6. Busy, busy, busy. It is starting to come together - which is wonderful. I love that you have a herd of helpers too.

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  7. Were you a slave driver in a former life?

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  8. We love family projects! But what a job. You'll be so happy with it when it's done. I have to do something similar and I only have a toddler to help me. Sigh.

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  9. Hey sista, I'm all about child labor! HA!! just ask my boys....daily chores were just apart of their life and you know what, they grew up being responsible citizens that understand the value of work.

    Your flowers look beautiful!

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  10. I can't imagine how tired everyone must be today..aching backs,sore hands etc. That was one heck of a job.
    Jane x

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  11. And those poor kids had to march today! ROFL Ah to be so young...

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  12. Way to go grandkids! That is challenging work but looks so nice when it's done.

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  13. Ha-ha! This is exactly the kind of thing we have planned for our grandchildren in a few years...a kind of pay-back for all the babysitting we do. Well done those kids, it looks great.

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  14. Well done to those kids - it's looking good

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  15. Nothing is more beautiful or more hard work than a working garden. We had terrible storms last night and when I went out to inspect found a giant tree limb crushing our lilacs. Went around the side of the house where JUST THE DAY BEFORE we had been crowing about how gorgeous our climbing baby roses were and the trellis that they grew on had been uprooted by the 8o mph winds and was now stuck up in a pine tree with half of the rose roots attached. Gardens, in good weather are hard work....

    Yours is lovely, btw.

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  16. You're really making good progress. We also worked in our yard, and then I threw out my back. This getting older thing is not a lot of fun!

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  17. Lovely all working together. It must be looking great and well worth the effort.

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  18. Nice to meet you. What an interesting story about Canola becoming Rape - I had no idea about this at all. I shall tell the farmer when he comes in for his lunch!

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  19. It sounds like quite a horticultural challenge you have there - but one which, with the help of your family, you will overcome

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  20. Those birds are waiting for dinner - fresh worms and grubs.

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  21. Cute birds! I love the greenery in your photos. I don't care to garden that much, but after reading blogs, I am thinking of starting a container garden in my patio.

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  22. It's always good to have help in the garden, my lot tell me what I should do but they do give me ideas.
    Merle...........

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  23. I would love to see the end-result of your garden. It seems huge :)

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  24. i have to tell you, that i now have garden envy---just lovely!!!

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  25. A little help never hurts!

    Pearl

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  26. Laura was correct, “As long as there are grandchildren here.” Young backs and limber knees make for a better garden.

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  27. The garden is coming along beautifully. I love the little sparrows.
    My kids used to sometimes help me in the garden if I asked, now I go to their house and slash at 4 feet high grass every so often. Tsk Tsk. Gardeners they're not.

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