Outside Jobs Are Completed

 It has been a while since I posted. I have been busy in the yard and have been fighting flare ups in my right hip. These flare ups knock the wind out of me and I can only do the basics while I rest and apply heat to the sore spots. 

My neighbour, his sons, and family did under the back deck for me. I wasn't allowed to help other than do the clean up and provide drinks. The transformation was amazing. It went from a messy weed patch to clean and weed free.

With it being so dry, I will plant grass seed in the fall. But it is so nice not having to deal with weeds in that area. 

I did go around the house and weed the side and front beds. They need more river rock but not until next year. I want to redo the bricks before adding more rock or pea gravel. 

 

There is nothing planted on this side as it gets very hot and dry. The front has a few plants but I also keep it low maintenance. 

Around the shed was weeded and I put out the solar lights. At night, that area is bright and cheery. 

Flowers and vegetables have been planted and all are growing well. 

The other big project was a killer for me. It was weeding and removing the weed cloth from the hedge. I got all but 12 shrubs weeded on the house side and 7 on the road side. Doing it caused a couple of flare ups and I was slow. I wanted to have it done by the end of the month. Enter grandson who came to help me. We did the road side of the hedge in 2 days and were done by June 18. Earliest ever. He came over the next day and did the weed whacking of the ditch. I had done weed spraying the week before so all was good to go. I had also done some weed whacking in the bottom of the ditch. No pictures were taken but I am so proud of how it looks. I can hoe it every 10 days and weed whack when necessary. I will plant grass in the fall if that is the route I go. 

I am so grateful for the help I received in getting the yard done this spring. I know what I have is minimalist but that is fine. The crew that does the mowing can get around without having to worry about flower beds in the middle of the lawn. I can care for the flower pots and vegetable boxes on my own. Weeding is easy if I focus on doing it weekly or every 10 days. Watering can be done in a very short time allowing me to stay inside during the hot parts of the day. 

As a final note, I went out to water yesterday and was greeted with this. 

I am so grateful that the first rose bush (and only survivor) that the Spousal Unit planted was loaded with blooms. Yes, I picked them and they are in a vase in the house where I can admire them. He would have been so proud of how many blooms came out at once. He loved to pick roses for me to enjoy inside. 

I am so happy that I can enjoy my garden this summer and am able to take care of it.