Garden Cleanup...

The kitchen garden was such a mess that I didn't even take a "before" photograph to share, but after much weeding, our handyman had this area looking much more hospitable. It's not finished yet, though. 

Today, two more men will be joining Mike to do the fine work, till the soil and then put down barrier and mulch. Then, it will look the way it's supposed to. 

I'm heading out first thing to purchase the bags of mulch, and Handsome is going to pick up the crew. We were told that Exodus House (a halfway house in Kewaskum) hired out appropriate residents and "graduates" for such work, so we made the call. Mike was just what the doctor ordered. He loves gardening, and has the grounds at Exodus House neat as a pin. He loves gardening, and it shows in the pride with which he executes his work.

I asked that he start in this area closest to our entry doors, as it's the area most visible when going in and out of the farmhouse. I pointed out what I wanted kept, and he pulled the rest. I'm going to plant lavender back into the center area, it'll be mulched, and then I'm making a commitment to keep up with the weeding.

I like having the hollyhocks in front of the kitchen windows because when they grow up, they also cover the ugly electric meter and piping. Perhaps I should be planting more morning glory plants to camouflage that by climbing. (The hollyhocks killed off what was there, but I'm going to keep them under control in the future.)

Next, he worked the little front garden on the street side of the walkway, and moved over to the area I refer to as "the terrace" around the porch. All the "volunteer" plants were taking over, including a few ore hollyhocks that moved in. They can stay for now, and I'm going to see if they can be pruned if they start to get too tall.

Mike cleaned up around the creeping phlox, and took out the crown vetch and ground ivy that was trying to take over the beds. I'm happy to have them grow in controlled areas, but for now, they're out so I can see the plants that need to stay.

When the crew arrives today, they'll be cleaning up this area. It's filled with tiny thistle plants (all going!), milkweed (staying for the monarchs), mums, monarda, and more hollyhocks. Everything else, including a sapling that I certainly don't want growing up this close to the house, will all go.

Its going to be a busy day. I'm running out to get mulch, and lunch for the guys. Then, I'll be putting on my work gloves to help plant the lavender and a shasta daisy.

It's scheduled to rain today, so we're hoping it holds off until the beds are weeded and the new plants and mulch are in. Then, a gentle, overnight rain would be just perfect. Fingers crossed!

A Blooming Great Weekend...

Brynwood Needleworks - Farmhouse Bleeding Hearts Sentiment

 I actually spent more time outdoors this past weekend, than I did in the studio.I'm sharing a few photographs to show you some of the beauty around our farmhouse.If you're especially quiet, you might even see a surprise visitor from time to time.
 

Brynwood Needleworks - Phlox and Iris

  It's nearly impossible for me to kneel to weed the gardens as I should, but Handsome helpedme pull thistles and burdock that will overtake the flowers if they get the chance. I let some ofthem grow for the finches, but they're not allowed in my kitchen, terrace or fenceline gardens.

Brynwood Needleworks - Purple Iris and White Crystal Star Columbines

 The grass is completely out of control, but I'll have to set my sights on next summer toclean all of them out of my flower beds. I refuse to use Roundup or other poisons. Good old-fashioned hand weeding and mulch will be the only way I'll tackle them.

Brynwood Needleworks - One of Our Daily Visitors

 When I'm outdoors near the feeders, the hummingbirds will fly all around me (or Handsome)as they drop in for a sip at one of the three feeders we keep clean and filled for them. Of course,they have lots of sweet and colorful options growing all around our and our neighbors' properties.

Brynwood Needleworks - Fragrant Lavender

 

The hollyhocks are really encroaching on my daisies (not blooming yet) and lavender right now. I think I'll be moving the daisies and lavender into the terrace gardens when I know rain is in the forecast, so Mother Nature can help water them in for me. 

 

I'll be giving the hollyhocks a serious culling late summer, too. They need to be tamed. They've already crowded out my chives, and the delphiniums are at risk, too. I had no idea they would fairly take over my kitchen garden, as I've never re-seeded or planted new since the first ones went into the ground. Now "volunteers" are growing on the terrace around the base of the porch, and even in the gravel next to the
sidewalk! I'll definitely be clipping them before the go to seed this year.

Don't get me wrong. I love their huge leaves and colorful blooms, but I love those other plants, too, and these hollyhocks are bullies!

Brynwood Needleworks - Sweet Clover

The story is that our farmhouse was "planted" here in a bed of clover in 1918. When it's dry and we really need the rain, the clover fills into the grass to feed the bees, and remind us of the farm's history. I have clover growing in our terrace garden now, but I won't be removing it. The bees love it, and so do I.

I also don't weed out the plantain, dandelions, and a few other "weeds". I love the old ways when these plants provided medicinal purposes for folks long-gone. They're welcome here, along with any of their friends...well, with the possible exception of stinging nettles. That's the one plant that makes me break out in a rash. I know the nettle tea is supposed to be good for you, but I can't get past those hairy leaves. 

 

Dear neighbor, Andy came down and pulled them out of the fence garden for me last year when I told Shelly just how allergic I am to them. He's really the best! Sorry, nettles. You're not welcome here.

I'll share more photographs once the hollyhocks and daisies open up. After my morning coffee, I'll be in the studio filling orders. Time to play indoors again.