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| Lilacs in Bloom |
Things are picking up very quickly at the Mansfield Gardens with lots of work both in the garden and around the yard. Seems like projects keep popping up as frequently as the weeds, so not much time to lay about. I am learning to go area by area, rather than get overwhelmed by the entire scenario of front, side, back, pool and garden. I take it one area at a time and allow myself adequate time to not get frustrated by not finishing a project within an estimated time frame.
I had purchased 20 yards of mulch to cover all the perennial garden areas all around the house. But that required first cleaning out those areas from debris left over from last year's plants and from all those nasty weeds that never seem to go away. Luckily I found the Hooke and Crooke hoe, which has saved my a lot of aggravation and time. It still isn't much fun weeding, but this great little tool makes things a lot easier all around.
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| The Hooke and Crooke Hoe |
Today I also used my nice Echo chainsaw to cut down a pretty ugly evergreen in the front of the house. The end result was the remains filled up my entire 4x8 trailer. But it was nice using the Echo, which did a terrific job of cutting through the very tough hardwood. So that was another job done. Still ahead is cleaning out all of the perennial beds, mulching them and then cutting down some birch trees on the side property that I don't really like. Plans are also in the making for putting a fenced in area in the back for Jackson to have for playing in a sand box, yet to be made and swing set, also yet to be made.
So, you can see lots and lots of never ending projects on the horizon and along with that, lots of work keeping the weeds at bay and getting the garden produce to grow and mature. I was able to take some photos today to show how far along we are up here in New England. I was very lucky to miss one last frost on May 14, 2013 when frost was on the car, but missed all of my tomatoes (at least 72 plants), cukes, watermelon and squash. I great big sigh of relief for sure.
So, here a quick photo gallery on May 18, 2013.
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| My German Garlic raised bed with nice radishes on the left side |
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The little guy stuck behind the screen door, which now has a lock on it so he can't just walk out.
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Jackson loves to point and here he is doing it again. Note his new haircut.
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Mom's Lilacs doing very nicely
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| Dad's favorite Lilacs, the dark blue ones that have a very unique smell to them |
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The new "Garden Shed" and another beautiful Lilac bush in the back area by the compost bins
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| The "Kitchen Garden" raised bed which have lettuce, kale, eggplant, tomatoes and Nancy's favorite - Snapdragons |
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| Raised bed of kale, Red Ruby lettuce and some chives originally grown by my dad. |
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Outside the greenhouse we have broccoli, lettuce, carrots, radishes, cilantro and cukes in the back
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Peas on the far left, Yukon Gold potaoes next and German butteball potatoes on the right. On the far right are four rows of candy onions and red onions.
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| Lots more tomatoes, peppers and squash ready when room becomes available. |
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