Just a Few Tips

I was asked the other day if I felt gardening was worth the pain. My answer to that is "You can bet your booty!" I find it not only a good form of exercise but it is very relaxing. But only if I "behave" myself.

Due to a fall from scaffolding, I am presently waiting for new knees and shin bones! Won't I be fancy!!! But I have found that I am unable to do many things that I could before. So...I have become a very imaginative gardener. Weeding is a toughie but with the use of a foam pillow and knee pads, I do just fine thank you! I am unable to reach quite as far as I used too and with the price of some long handled hand tools, I resorted to "coming up" with a few helpful ideas. For the long stretch, when I am on my knees, I use a pair of tongs. Salad for the just out of reach and BBQ for the ones that you have to grunt at. It is trial and error on the amount of wrist twist needed to pull them but that comes in time. And if I just can't seem to get a good grip, I just lob the top off. I figure no leaves, no photosynthesis and thus...no weed. I could be wrong but hey...it works for me...so far!

One of my biggest problems is getting up after kneeling. For that I have old canes or walking sticks placed in various areas throughout the yard. At first I thought they looked rather goofy but after planting a climber or vine...it looks rather nice. And they don't stand out like a sore thumb. I also have a very sturdy hoe that goes with me everywhere. It works great for "climbing your way up to a standing position." Take my advice, don't use a telescopic tool....they can collapse and you end up doing a face plant in the dirt! Yes...I am experienced in a few of those.

And above all...remember that it will all get done. Eventually! My biggest set back is remembering to set myself limits. There is always tomorrow. There is no rush...no need to harm myself. And with the "always tomorrow" attitude, I always know I have a valid reason for mucking about in the dirt. And isn't that the main reason we garden? Yes to produce some beautiful flowers/plants but also to be allowed to revert back to our childhoods and play in the dirt! Have a wonderful gardening day!!

June 7, 2008

The ferns are finally coming into their own. These are native ferns, found in the forest near me. Though they don't get as large as tame ferns, they are very pretty. After planting, it can take up to 3 yrs before they really come up fully.

This year I was hoping to gather a few more native plants but I have found on my outings that they are just not in a great abundance this year. We still haven't had rain yet. Maybe today. Hmm...I believe we have been saying that for nearly 3 wks now. But...due to the dry conditions, the native forest plants will have a hard enough time as it is, let alone trying to recover from some crazy lady digging up part of them. So...they will sit...undisturbed. At least till we have a really good rain.

The Ticks are Moving!!

Yesterday, after I finished cutting the grass, I found a tick on me. I really hate those things! But the thing is, it is very strange for ticks to be so far north! And as they say, where there is one, there is more. I have been checking on the net for a good way to get rid of them and I am afraid to say the only solution seems to be some kind of pesticide. I dislike using pesticides as there is always a "fallout" from them. If anyone can offer a natural and safe solution, please let me know.
Here is a picture of my "finished product"...the ratty old love seat I scavenged. The flowers have not filled out yet but when they do I am sure it will look rather pretty. At least I hope it does! Either way, it is a good start to expanding my flower beds and creating a garden in the lower level of my backyard. It is something that won't be done overnight, but at least it will keep me out of trouble!!! LOL

A beautiful morning!

It was a beautiful morning in Saskatchewan! We finally had a little rain...just a little but it made such a difference to the look of the yard. Every thing was green when I got up. Hopefully, we will have more but I am not holding my breath.

The Northern Apple blossoms are out. Only on one tree...the other is just in bud. They smell so nice. I am hoping that this year's crop of apples will be good. Last year we had none due to a late frost. But...maybe it was a good thing as we had a problem with canker worms. So far (knock on wood) there have been none. I can only hope. I wish you all a wonderful day...with lots of good surprises in your gardens!

I Need Two of Me!

I have been working like a mad man...pardon me, that should say "mad woman"...trying to get everything on the go. There have been set backs in planting has there have been frost warnings for the last 3 days. Though other parts of the city have been hit, for some reason my street has been left untouched. I am hoping it doesn't hit at all as last year we had such a heavy frost that the fruit trees did not have any blossoms. No apples for me...sigh.

Yesterday, I nearly completed the bog I was working on. It is actually taking shape. However...due to a over active pup who loves to run up and say "Hello" by jumping...I landed in it...face first. I can laugh now because I realize I must have looked a sight...mud and wet peat moss covering me! Swamp Thing returns...LOL. And for those who ever wondered, peat moss is NOT very tasty! But as my mom used to tell me, "You have to eat a peck of dirt before you die." I, so far, have eaten I think a bushel...LOL But as the picture included here will attest, I am not the only one Cala Lily terrorizes...poor Mystic is so patient! Happy Gardening day to all...just watch your backs! LOL

I was just thinking....

I was taking a wee break from my gardening (my knee is just not what it used to be), sitting on a chair and looking at all the work that I still had to do. Which is a lot considering I live in Saskatchewan and we have such a short season. I sincerely believe that if I did live in an area that I could garden all year round, I wouldn't die working in it at a ripe old age...rather...one day my daughter or my friends would just look around and realize that I wasn't there. The only trace of me would be my old hat...laying beside a garden tool. I would have just...what it is the word...melted? Composted?? Right into the soil.

Ok...I wandered...what I was going to say is...I was thinking of the way I wanted this and that to be laid out...what plant where...and a thought came into my head. I rather wish I didn't have all the little garden fairies littering the back yard flower beds. There are times I wish I could just have...nothing. Just my flowers, bushes, vines, etc. Sometimes I would like to be able to look at my gardens and say, "Wow...just like a magazine." But then...I realized that I would never trade in my little statues for any chance of a magazine look-a-like. My daughter and my friends have all given them to me. It was their way of being included ...or becoming part of my little piece of paradise. As I looked around, I could put a name to each one. I remember their faces as they would hand me one and say, "I saw this and knew it just had to be in your garden." Or, "I hope you don't mind if I put this here. I don't have a garden/pond and I thought it was so cute." All my friends...and my daughter...will always be in my garden. When Punk (that is the nic name of my daughter) is older and away at university or even married and digging in a garden of her own, I will just have to look at one of the many statues she has given me and she will be close. A rather comforting thought .... I thought.

Excuse my spelling....

It was pointed out to me that I made a mistake in spelling. But in my defense...I remember being told by various teachers that as I make my way through life, the best tool I can have is a dictionary! LOL. I stand corrected...it is "sweet pea"...not "sweat pea". But if you really think about it. The person who does grow a "sweat pea" could be rich! Think of the sales to disgruntled employees who want to send home grown flowers to their bosses!!! But...I believe I will just stick with the "sweet pea"...and my pocket dictionary!