It’s been raining – actually, pouring – all morning, and in parts of the yard, there are 3 inches of standing water.
I know this because I went out a few minutes ago to feed with Miracle Grow and (to the hydrangeas), coffee grounds*.
Thank goodness for a hot shower and clean, dry clothes thereafter.
Although the yard is much improved, I definitely need more loam in a couple of spots on the right hand side.
Just hope my poor shed doesn’t get flooded.
Gardener’s Diary
After reading an article that confirmed September is the time, finally transplanted the peony from Edgewater to the right hand side of the shed. Was happy to hear rain around 2 this morning (it’s still raining); maybe I won’t have to water today.
Gardener’s Diary
Projects this week include planting a small (6 bushes) blueberry patch in the area destroyed by the idiot with the bobcat and possibly crushed bluestone and pavers for the front walkway. Think the latter will look nice with the blue-gray composite stairs.
Still have some mulching to do and another week and two days of heavy grass watering.
I’m tired.
Gardener’s Diary
Start of week 3 with the new grass. Yesterday, I overseeded the bare areas, fewer than I thought would be needed, with some seed that has been in the basement here for years. It’ll be interesting if it “takes”. If it doesn’t, I still have time to use something else.
Spent a good part of the day at nurseries: the East Sandwich Agway, who were participating in a multi-business Route 6A open house, and Mahoney’s, who were running gardening seminars. Got a lot of excellent info on composting, bulbs, lawns and winter prep.
Loathesome Chores
Did three of my most hated chores before breakfast today: paid a bill, made the bed, cleaned Mr. Fluffles’ litter box.
Gardener’s Diary – GRASS
The back yard has grass. Infant grass, and it’s spotty, but it is definitely there, right on schedule and as promised.
I can’t believe it.
Gardener’s Diary – Hydroseeding
The back yard was hydroseeded last Saturday, September 5.
I didn’t realize how many thousands of tiny rocks were in the soil.
The yard was quite a mess afterwards, green gunk on the deck, stairs, trees, shed, etc.
Watering has been a challenge. The four-part faucet attachment fell apart almost immediately, and not all of the sprinklers are working. I need to make replacements and adjustments to prevent pooling of water.
Gardener’s Diary
I dug up – at least as much as I could – and threw away the hateful fairy rose that used to occupy the right side of the front fence.
Good riddance.
I’ve injured myself dozens of times on that plant’s nasty thorns – either tiny ones that embedded painful, almost invisible fragments in your hands, or gigantic quarter inch long scimitar-like monstrosities.
Gardener’s Diary
Spent most of Friday on the grass and blue plantings, finished up yesterday morning during a brief shower.
While Robert had his sailing lesson, got mulch for about 1/3 the cost of buying it in bags, at Cape Cod Recycling; spread about half.
Raining this morning, looks like it’ll stop around noon.
Hoping to get a glimpse of Air Force One when it lands at Otis today around 2:55.
Thanks, But No Thanks
Keeping in touch with what the enemy is thinking notwithstanding, I finally had enough and removed my name from an email list for an outfit called, perhaps with intended irony, “Progressive Business Publications”.
This organization was founded by one Ed Satell, a weathy Republican entrepreneur known for his charitable work in the greater Philadelphia area.
Last year, the Connecticut AG launched an investigation into this company for “deceptively market(ing) and sell(ing) state compliance posters to employers–posters that are already available from the state, free of charge”.
Progressive Business Publications’ catalog has dozens of audio conferences on practical subjects like energy compliance, finance and accounting.
Sprinkled in among these, though, are a few sinister titles that suggest that they advocate sadistic management practices for “difficult” employees.
Some examples: “Managing Employees from Hell: Discipline That Gets Results”, “Take a Stand Today: Squash Negative Attitudes in the Workplace”, “Stop Hiring Losers: How to Read People Like a Book”, “Stopping Difficult People from Sucking the Life Out of Your Organization”.