tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post5646484320995446017..comments2024-03-24T11:10:13.186-04:00Comments on The Gardening Me: Planning for 2018Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-89832159193721983352018-03-30T17:48:37.054-04:002018-03-30T17:48:37.054-04:00We didn't get hit by the Nor'easter and ha...We didn't get hit by the Nor'easter and haven't received that much snow in the past couple of months - but these cold temps are lingering on and on and on. I'm itching for spring to arrive!<br /><br />Oh, the bamboo - luckily the one we have is a clumping kind and hasn't spread...BUT it's practically impossible to dig out without some serious machinery, which we do not have. The black plastic and cutting back what peaks out seems to be working as there's a lot less of it than there used to be. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to say..."and then there were none" ;)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-80306371865763401942018-03-29T22:10:03.664-04:002018-03-29T22:10:03.664-04:00Oh wow, frozen ground still! Did you guys get hit ...Oh wow, frozen ground still! Did you guys get hit by the Nor'easter recently? Springtime is firmly in my neck of the woods, but we got a solid 3" of snow last weekend, which melted the very next day. OMG, bamboo! It can deceptively look nice in small quantities but it's so invasive. Fortunately, I've never had to deal with it but I know plenty of people who thought it would make a nice accent in their garden and then spend countless hours trying to control it. Jenniferhttps://serenitysarcasm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-83467034505827634882018-03-29T19:56:41.957-04:002018-03-29T19:56:41.957-04:00Isn't it great to compare notes on the garden,...Isn't it great to compare notes on the garden, especially as we are in such similar climates? And yes to warmer and definitely drier...the rain is still coming down so things will likely be soggy for a few days anyhow.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-54110412231416971822018-03-29T17:07:57.663-04:002018-03-29T17:07:57.663-04:00OMG our gardens and to do lists seem so similar......OMG our gardens and to do lists seem so similar.....it feels great to know I have another gardener working on the same things, and keeping me motivated. Here's to hoping our spring gets warmer and drier soon for both of us!Donna@GardensEyeViewhttp://gardenseyeview.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-65549884027803151992018-03-28T14:04:31.932-04:002018-03-28T14:04:31.932-04:00The area we are going to edge isn't that long ...The area we are going to edge isn't that long so I'm hoping we (and our backs) won't be suffering for it after the fact :) Metal edging is another great idea - I've heard of it but can't recall ever seeing it in action.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-44498160656011900802018-03-26T15:49:14.889-04:002018-03-26T15:49:14.889-04:00I feel guilty complaining about my wet soil when y...I feel guilty complaining about my wet soil when yours is still frozen! We removed a lot of plastic edging here when we moved in. We now have some heavy duty metal edging for the landscaping around the house, installed by someone younger and stronger than me (the landscapers)!Dave @ HappyAcreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441364543023807886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-29284910259515046542018-03-25T14:03:17.432-04:002018-03-25T14:03:17.432-04:00Yes! That is exactly what we do for the ornamenta...Yes! That is exactly what we do for the ornamental beds. I call it a "cut" edge since you cut into the soil to create the edge and, just as you say, a trench is created between the grass and the bed. I had never heard of an English trench...now I have a name for it!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-5670534097749195152018-03-25T14:00:25.988-04:002018-03-25T14:00:25.988-04:00Thanks Michelle :) I'm not much one for grass...Thanks Michelle :) I'm not much one for grass either and could definitely do with less of it - such is life when you are on a septic system. Other than that, though, it's not a huge deal otherwise as I don't bother with fertilizing nor do I water unless we haven't had rain for a couple of months or so and dormant grass threatens to turn into dead grass. I use a lawn tractor to mow which takes just over 2 hours and is actually quite relaxing. Not the most environmentally friendly way to cut the grass but I do tend to hold off on doing it as long as I can so it usually only gets cut every 2-3 weeks, depending on how much rain we get. I figure that my procrastination is actually good for the planet ;)<br /><br /><br />And yes...enough of you, cold, chilly days...bring on the spring!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-26714739656168514112018-03-25T13:51:35.935-04:002018-03-25T13:51:35.935-04:00We have been hacking away at that dang bamboo gras...We have been hacking away at that dang bamboo grass for a couple of years now & I am finally beginning to see some improvement - it's a tough bugger! Ah yes, the edging - I love a nice, cut edge both for looks and flexibility. At this point, it's not that difficult to maintain (so long as I keep on top of it each year!) and I can only hope that I'm still be saying that in 30 years ;)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-78605445950166006362018-03-25T12:30:13.088-04:002018-03-25T12:30:13.088-04:00Unless it's a raised bed, my preferred edging ...Unless it's a raised bed, my preferred edging is a shallow trench, I think some people call it an "English trench".Jasonhttp://gardeninacity.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-54553047573558132332018-03-25T11:05:08.566-04:002018-03-25T11:05:08.566-04:00I don't envy you all that mowing, or the snow ...I don't envy you all that mowing, or the snow for that matter either. Most of the area around my house and veggie garden is basically natural. The biggest single task is whacking the grass down before fire season starts, but fortunately the dry summer means it doesn't grow back until winter rains come along so it's a once a year job. I do have a couple of beds near the house that would be ornamental if I took the trouble to maintain them, which is actually on my to do list this year!<br /><br />Wishing you a quick start to spring. Go away snow and cold! Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07812702328134261533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-2604605248367524182018-03-25T10:05:16.365-04:002018-03-25T10:05:16.365-04:00You have a HUGE space! That bamboo would drive me ...You have a HUGE space! That bamboo would drive me nuts, too. I've never been a fan of edging, either. I'm always changing my beds borders and would have to move the edging every year! Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-1782115906685353632018-03-25T09:13:56.646-04:002018-03-25T09:13:56.646-04:00We are finally seeing some above zero temps next w...We are finally seeing some above zero temps next week, but unfortunately at least 2 of those days will be rainy. At this point, though, Thursday looks VERY promising with a high of 15 and sunny. Fingers crossed!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-39758423680787003882018-03-25T06:34:22.335-04:002018-03-25T06:34:22.335-04:00We've managed a few afternoon's gardening ...We've managed a few afternoon's gardening this week but the forecast for next week's weather is rather bleak after the first couple of days.<br /><br />I really envy the size of your garden.Sue Garretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164518448098182276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-56603516435815932932018-03-24T16:45:20.993-04:002018-03-24T16:45:20.993-04:00You should see the front yard - lol (we are on a p...You should see the front yard - lol (we are on a pie shaped lot where the big part of the pie is actually our front yard). I totally get where your husband is coming from - I hate mowing around stuff too, but since I do the mowing I get to decide if the fruit trees, etc., are worth it - and yes, they are ;)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-77610667904692123492018-03-24T16:43:56.269-04:002018-03-24T16:43:56.269-04:00Thanks Nancy - I hope that you are able to rest up...Thanks Nancy - I hope that you are able to rest up and get your energy back. Hopefully that warm weather hurries up and gets here! Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-29753428264767642022018-03-24T16:43:23.395-04:002018-03-24T16:43:23.395-04:00Yes, this winter just won't let up! Thankfull...Yes, this winter just won't let up! Thankfully the sun is out a lot more lately which makes a big difference, even if it's still rather chilly. Very true about weeding - it is - or should be! - a priority (our worst is bindweed). One lesson learned is that a few minutes here and there does wonders and saves you hours down the road.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-44991060138342098332018-03-24T15:34:29.264-04:002018-03-24T15:34:29.264-04:00I didn't realize how big your backyard was, th...I didn't realize how big your backyard was, that's a lot to keep mowed. Your raspberry area and decorative plantings are wonderful. My husband is anti-mowing around things, so no permanent areas for asparagus or fruit trees for me.Phuonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07658691564062044986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-53255709538710768062018-03-24T13:42:32.469-04:002018-03-24T13:42:32.469-04:00Looks like you will really get things under contro...Looks like you will really get things under control this year. I hope your edging work out well so that it is less work for you. Still cold here and I have not planted anything yet plus have bad fatigue. We are all anxious for nice weather! Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-91219956461448795072018-03-24T12:09:21.214-04:002018-03-24T12:09:21.214-04:00It looks so cold there still. I'm hoping that ...It looks so cold there still. I'm hoping that we've seen the last of the snow now, though it's forecast to get colder again next week. It sounds like you've got plenty of jobs on your list again but I think the top of any gardeners list year after year are the weeds. We've got marestail in our garden and we've never managed to get rid of it completely.Johttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17436932004631816039noreply@blogger.com