What happens when Lisa goes outside to do nothing but enjoy the beauty.

After cutting grass for the last 2 days, it was difficult for me to hold a coffee cup, so I decided to just enjoy the yard and recoup a bit. So I get out there with my skimpy clothes, cup of tea and latest tree hugger book. I used to be quite a reader but something killed that a couple of years ago. I hate it. Anyways, I go to lounge on my new favorite hammock that Anne donated to the yard the other day. It's so cozy and has a perfect angle for a wonderful view. As soon as my butt hit the fabric, the ground was close after. I sat there laughing, because I knew I looked funny but I was also relieved that my yard is difficult to see in to. So the hammock is kiboshed and I go for a plastic chair with a fold up camping chair in front of me to put my feet up on. I get comfortable...sipping tea...getting silly....getting bored. Can't keep my focus on the Farmers Almanac for some weird reason. SHHHhhhh.... I grab my tree hugger book but same result. I walk around the yard and water all the plants, taking notice of their different stages of growth. There are a couple that are ready to go in the ground shortly. Today I decided that I was going to grow some Verigated Morning Glories on top of the fallen Willow tree (amongst the Allysum) instead of pouring water on the soil and risk losing some nutrients for the plants that I want to flourish, I made a mud out of my Greethumbs pest repellent and compost, then added it to the soil already on the tree and planted the MG's in that. I think it'll turn out wonderfully as long as I remember to add water and nutrients regularly. It did turn out to be a lazy day after all though...when I was done those things, I went and snuggled with my wonderful Chris and slept till it was time for him to get up and ready for work

try not to cut the grass on the hottest days!

Maybe I should have learned this lesson yesterday, but all I could think about was getting it done before my landlord sees it. I was embarrassed to have people over because i was ashamed of my almost 3ft high grass/dandelion combo gracing my front yard. So for as long as the cord would reach, as well as how long it took to run out of string, I cut grass. Yesterday I cut grass for about 8 hours all together. We also did some very cool planting. This morning got some new hardcore string to replace what I used and started cutting the side of the house towards the backyard except for the heavy machine, it went very well. Eventually a neighbour saw what I was putting myself through and offered to lend me his gas powered mower *phew* and I gracefully accepted. So the grass part of the yard is ready for the landlord to see...as well as some of the garden has been prettied up. I am very happy with our progress. I feel bad sometimes because I can be hard to work with at times..But Anne and I have a way of communicating that helps us resolve most issues fairly quickly. There is a thunderstorm coming tomorrow. I always hurt when the rain is on it's way. I wanted to have so much more planted before the storm hit. Hopefully I can get up early (as usual) and get some things planted before the rain starts!

Necessity is the mother of invention!

We started this project with both of us liking gardening. It has grown into a challenge to keep cost down by utilizing already owned items, no pesticides and homegrown veggies and tons of flowers.

We will be blogging these inventive recycles and welcome suggestions.

Wheelbarrows are expensive and the one we were using was small, wobbly wheels and a rusted hole in middle. Solved the hole with garbage bag but we needed a better way to transport items. A Fold up grocery cart and a reuse of laundry hamper that fits in the cart. We now have 2 inventive recycling buggies and 1 rusted wheelbarrow which we still use.

The size of the leaf piles were huge and no way our wheelbarrow or carts could handle a huge quantity so Lisa grabbed a large tarp which we covered then folded and both us hauled away a substantial amount to the compost heap multiple times.

NOTE: The contributions of plants and cuttings from friends and family is much appreciated. Yesterday we planted 2 chocolate soldier plants and coleus in one of the round beds. A fuchsia will be grown in a pot and tomato plants which will be planted once we decide on bed for tomatoes. Full bag of tiger lilies and assorted surprise bulbs again much appreciated and if you hear of anyone dividing plants or giving them away, let us know we will pick up.

whew...nice little Hosta patch. Will it grow?!

Here I am finally to say hello. Today Anne and I planted a Hosta patch with seeds from my last garden (torn from the heritage house) We also tried V-logging (wtf?) but my voice didn't come through on the recording for some reason. Anne says I am a natural..we'll see about that. I made this pest repellent after receiving a suggestion from Anne. I altered the recipe a bit as I always have a tenancy to do. I made it BIGGER! It consists of rain water, crushed red peppers and garlic which I let steep for over a month. Once Anne and I started the seeds, I immediately got irate at the rodents running around my yard! They had the audacity to come and pick out my yummy beans and peas? How DARE they!? So I came and put a healthy amount of my goop on the soil and then put a thin layer of fresh soil on top (for aesthetic purposes) and TaDa! Here are many plants now sprouting and not being eaten!!! Woot wooty woot woot! We have decided to go with the type of garden that we will dig a patch for each plant in an area that we see fit and see how it all comes together later. We think it'll be easier this way..no worrying about how to get a tiller here and back to the shop! I think I am out of words for tonight..... peace out