Tuesday, June 16, 2009

It's not all pretty

Lest everyone think my yard is totally together and gorgeous, I have to admit to some rather ugly areas. Here, for example, in my backyard, towards the edge of the myrtle patch which I've now finished weeding and lasagna mulching, we have a joining of stray myrtle, a little tree of unknown variety, and weeds of every kind growing on the steepest part of the hill. My plan here is to clear everything to the dirt except the tree, and put down my mulching from bottom to top of the hill in a swath just about 8 feet wide. Then I hope to gather up various railroad ties I have lying around and perhaps form a stairway to help me get up and down this stretch without breaking a leg. After that, I may let the myrtle invade, but I'll keep it clear for awhile.

Beyond the little tree you see the dry yellow grass on that mid-way level that really was once a nice flat grassy area. But it's all dead now and I've had a hard time even weed whacking the grass down. Eventually, I think I'd like to put lawn in there again as it's perfect for things like croquet and badminton and other lawn games for the kids.

I do still have my work cut out for me.
And everywhere I had already weeded, the weeds have returned with a vengeance, seen here with my dead aspen and my untrimmed bushes and abandoned wheelbarrow.
However, right next to this weedy patch, here's a sylvan delight with a little fairy not quite visible under her toadstool.
And of course, the newly-mown front lawn. I dug grass from in front of this smaller rock wall a week ago (the larger rock wall that nearly killed me yesterday is not seen here, but is closer to the front by the street, don't know why I didn't capture it.)

6 comments:

JBinford-Bell said...

I feel better. You first photo looks more like my property at the moment. Course I have 2 1/2 acres with a stream through the back so I can defend as "natural" but I am trying to have more of a show place up close to the studio.

Michael said...

Well I like the 'natural' look Beck,boy I admire your industry and your lawn looks great.

Bekkieann said...

Thank you both. Jacqui, you have more than 5 times what I have. I envy the stream - how nice that would be.

For dry country such as ours, a colorful garden can be a challenge. But that's why I've chosen the plants I have. I'm not willing to go waterwise and see nothing but gray green. I started out with just a couple of Russian Sage, some Black-Eyed Susans, Jupiter's Beard, and Daisies in a small area and expanded from there. I got my ideas from High Country Gardens. I suggest starting small. Remember the Jupiter's Beard will spread like crazy after a couple of years.

Bekkieann said...

Hi Mick,

I'd say I need to get the blade sharped. I think the mower not so much cuts as gnaws off the grass, making for a yellowish cast from the sad yellow tips of grass. Still it feels good to see it all uniform for another week at least.

JBinford-Bell said...

In most cases it is cheaper and easier to get a replacement blade. If they are sharpened wrong they can wear out the bearings on the mower it self.

Bekkieann said...

Good to know, Jacqui. If I don't replace this old mower altogether, I'll probably get a new blade and a tune up (a much cheaper option).

I'm sorry I don't have a poem for Poetry Wednesday as yet. If I do come up with something before the end of the day, I'll send a link.