Placed more sod yesterday, then Peter drove us to Framingham to sign off on our checks, which we deposited last night. Mine has already cleared. We saved at least a week by picking up the checks rather than mailing everything back and forth.
Weather wasn’t too bad on the way up, but it was raining pretty hard on the way back.
Took everyone to lunch at Fugakyu in Sudbury. We were about ready to leave when the power went out.
One of the lenses in my glasses popped out while I was getting ready; Peter got it back in.
Refilled the bird feeder the other day, thinking about rigging up a large plastic tray to discourage the squirrels. Put up the Halloween decorations; yesterday’s crazy wind blew a couple off.
Month: October 2009
Gardener’s Diary
April and Tony worked on the front yard on Saturday (24th), didn’t have a chance to finish with the rain; got over an inch.
Nice day on Sunday, drove to Wellfleet for the finale of the 2009 conference.
Still undecided about whether to put down more sod in the back. It’s such hard work, I hate the thought of it.
Big puddle in the back at #11 where Rich removed weeds and other “junk”, need to talk with him about that and the hydroseeding at #20.
Bets, Good and Bad
Woke up this morning to find the umbrella knocked off its base and another inch of water in the empty tuna can that serves as a rain gauge.
Very happy that I decided not to venture forth last night.
Accepting one’s limitations is part of middle age; some may call it wisdom, some, risk aversion or even resignation.
Gardener’s Diary
Warm and pleasant yesterday, mowed for the second time. The new sod seems to be doing well. Cold and windy this morning.
Put in a new little garden two days ago in the newly loamed area that used to flood in front of the blueberry patch. Found two gorgeous purple asters on sale at the Dennis Agway, and a nice little half-price white Butterfly Bush, two Montauks and some pretty annuals at Pondscapes.
It’s nice to have that formerly dismal spot so pretty, especially since it’s the first thing seen when you pull in to the driveway.
Counted them up the other day, I’ve put in over 100 plants this season.
First Frost
It’s supposed to warm up, but this morning, there’s frost on the ground.
Soggy weekend, and yesterday afternoon, I finally got the 3 yards of loam distributed. Looks like I’ll need to fill in more areas that were swamped by the rain.
Put down some more sod on Saturday.
Dream
Last night, I dreamed that I witnessed something I’ve always wanted to see, the migration of monarch butterflies.
There were thousands of them, flying in a narrow formation above a sandy path to the ocean, where they landed on the beach.
The butterflies were big, with wingspans of about a foot.
The butterflies weren’t at all menacing. In fact, in dream interpretation, they are a symbol of positive change and transformation.
Sod
As an experiment, I put down 80 square feet (8 5×2 foot strips) of sod in the areas where the seed just wasn’t “taking”.
It was backbreaking work because the ground was so compressed, probably the reason why grass couldn’t grow very well.
Admittedly, the sod is a different kind of grass (Kentucky blue), so the lawn will look uneven, but I don’t care: I couldn’t stand looking at those gashes in the soil any longer.
Fluffles just scared away a dog. Made me laugh. Gave him treats.
Gardener’s Diary – 6:32 PM
Got quite a bit done today, replanted the peony in its own raised bed, spread more loam and grass seed, and planted the rest of the bulbs(crocus, daffs, iris, 70 in all) at #20 and a nice little boxwood at #11, all in anticipation of the rain predicted for tomorrow (someone at New England Turf said we could get as much as two inches).
I told James he could visit, and am now committed to bring him to Sweet Caroline’s to meet up with his family in about an hour. We had barbecued chicken. Ran out of propane, but it came out just fine in the broiler.
Gardener’s Diary
Strange start to the week, expecting return calls/emails from at least a half a dozen colleagues and contractors: where are they?
Meanwhile, placed another half yard of stone yesterday and started spreading 3 yards of loam. Got everything ordered and picked up or delivered by early afternoon, also squeezed in a haircut, a conversation with The Turf Company, a visit to a new doc for a cortisone shot (tendonitis) and finding the only in-stock Garden Weasel in 3 towns.
Gardener’s Diary
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.