Handy Hint for Dividing Plants

I have learned a lesson not to let your Iris plants go undivided to long. I had three clumps that had to be moved because I had planted them in the corner of the patio, big mistake. They were starting to get very crowded. I dug up all three clumps and proceeded to try to split them. After trying many different methods..I finally found one that worked. I will be using this method again..for those hard to divide plants. I used a axe and hammer to slip them into smaller clumps and then used my hands to divide the bulbs. I will be re-planting these beauties into a area of  my garden where they will have plenty of room for them to grow.

Spring Clean Up

Mike cleaned out the pond today...ick...it smelled so bad...you never get used to that smell. I cleaned up the water lilies and placed some fresh gravel on the top. The girls stopped over today..and they had to feed the fish that are downstairs, just waiting to get back to the great outdoor. Also pictured is a firepit I got at Goodwill, for only $34.99. can't wait to fire this baby up..

A pool is the eye of the garden in whose candid depths is mirrored its advancing grace.
- Lousie Bebe Wilder

Early trip to the dump and day of clean up.

We went to the dump yesterday and seen they were grinding a fresh batch of compost, we had to go back today to fill up the trailer. For the price it can't be beat. It's FREE! It is the secret to my gardens success!

It was really nice today. I dug all the plants that I had saved in pots, out of their winter resting place today. Now Mike can give the flower bed another treatment of killer. There is still some of that ground cover coming up.

I placed all the plants on the patio, till i can get them planted again. I didn't lose to many. I started to give some away to new homes. Less I have to keep watered.

I weeded one flower bed today. It is already for some new mulch, but I want to wait till the neighbors maple tree drops it's awful seeds. I hate those trees...they are so messy and makes a gardener work twice as hard, trying to get them out of the flower beds before they start to grow a little forest.
This is my new wagon....I can leave it out and if it gets wet it will not rust like my old little red wagon did. I can hose this one off and let it air dry.

Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration. ~Lou Erickson

Spring Cleaning Up!

My pool boy getting the pond all cleaned out. It is a messy job. He cleans the inside I trim the plants.

All clean and ready to be filled for the year. Cross your fingers that we don't have a leak. First time cutting the grass. I love the smell of fresh cut grass. Just don't look at my flower beds...oh the work still to do.

Divide and Conquer!

I decided I was going to start fresh with the garden by the fence. I have been trying to deal with this ground cover, that was there when we moved it. I am going to dig up the plants I want to save, divide them and make sure the ground cover is not in the roots of the plants I am saving. Then I am going to kill everything else and start fresh. Mike is going to add a cement pathway before I re-plant it. I am going to have to research which plant killer I can use that I will be able to re-plant this year.

I need to open a greenhouse at my house!!

Joyful is the accumulation of good work.- Buddha

Spring Cleaning the Pond

We decided we are going to remove most of the stones we have in the bottom of our pond. It will be easier to be able to get rid of the string algae if we get it this year. That is a job for Mike...it did not smell to good..(holding my nose) I also decided this would be a good time to divide my water irises. We also need to reseal the rocks on the waterfall. We need a few days of nice weather to dry it off before we have use the spray foam.

If there is magic on the planet, it is contained in the water.- Loren Eisley

Spring has sprung a leak in my backyard

April 12th and we are still feeling the efforts of the cold north winds, with rain and from time to time mixed with snow. Will spring ever come? My
backyard is flooding a little more each day.We need some sun to dry up the ground, so I can get out there and finish up my spring clean-up. The rain did paint with the color green as the grass starts to show some sign of life again.