More March Winds

Progress is slow...

Saturday March 27, 2010 The day started out cool and clear with gusty winds, 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph, clouds moved in around 2 in the afternoon. So far no rain.

Yesterday the guys got to play. The yard was too muddy to work on the flagstone or to till or to grade, so they had a fun day inside working on the '53 chevy. Tater is a cousin to Mater and is getting a complete make over. If you run into Mater, tell him Tater has an extra hood he might sell to his cousin. Pictures of Tater will be posted later, he's too shy to show his face today.

While the boys played, I worked on drip irrigation. Drip lines in two beds are finished. I would have finished the "island" bed but Home Depot did not have another reel of hose, so it will have to wait.

Saturday morning David and I went to the nursery and with great restraint we only bought what we went to get. We purchased 6 azalea bushes. We have acidic soil so we are hoping that the bushes will adapt well. The "island" bed is now home to the six, Encore Autumn Sunset azalea bushes. I have high hopes that they will grow and will have showy blooms from spring through summer. Now I have to consider what else to plant in that flower bed that will compliment the azaleas, spring blooming daffodils and day lilies. If you look close, you'll see the new bushes. Of course David thinks the green tractor in the background is the best feature in the picture.

I have to be careful when I go into a nursery this time of year, all the plants are so full of blooms, bright in color and ever so tempting.

More progress, 4 O'clocks, zinnias and marigolds seeds planted in the west bed. Lettuce and bean seeds planted in the vegetable bed and 6 tomato sprouts transplanted.

It does feel like spring time. Thanks to Patricia, Ricky and Jackson for the peach tree last summer, it is beginning to bloom and for some of the seeds I've started in pots or scattered in the beds.

The pallet of flagstone will just have to wait. Maybe next weekend we can work on the walk.
Soon it will be time to till the yard and plant grass seed. We do have a vision and one can hope.

The east bed is still bare of anything but mulch and drip line. What shall I plant? I also want to plant climbing roses on the l-shaped pipe fence at the SW corner of the drive.

The "sunny" bed will be home to morning glories, sunflowers and any other hot dry sun loving seeds this year.

Plans... plans.. plans.

Snow?

Snow in late March? Where did the snow come from? Well it did folks. It snowed in North Texas on March 20, 2010. Mark that down in the record books for the latest snow fall on record for this part of the country.
My prudent decision to wait before setting out seedlings and seeds was the wise choice.

The weekend of March 13 & 14, David and I did lay the first of the flagstone walkway. It is wonderful, gorgeous and awesome.
Tons and tons of sweat equity. The pay back is more than dollars saved but that true sense of pride and ownership.

Do you see the small white shed in the background? That is the home made temporary greenhouse aka "Bella's poltergeist" that took up residence in the pasture. The filmy white fabric did not hold up well under the weight of the snow or the gusty winds, so a redesign for next year is due.
Gusty winds and thunderstorms blew in last night, March 24, 2010 and we have mud, mud and a squishy yard with young helpers on the way. Tommy, Trip and Bill are taking a Friday to come help with ???? If it does not dry out, well they get to come play for a day.
Next post, I'll let you know what we get done this weekend.
Taming a new yard, taking it from a construction sight to a landscape is a slow process. Especially for us on a limited budget and the wanna be gardener who wants to do it right, not fast.

March Winds

Progress in the yard/garden is slow, there is no instant gratification. Therefor, no pictures to post today.
However, a few noteworthy accomplishments to report.
Flagstone is here. The sidewalk will be flagstone and we finally ordered the stone and crushed granite embedment. Hurray! Next step is the sweat equity factor. If you want to come help break your back, you have my number, give us a call.
Drip Irrigation completely installed in one flower bed. Oh, it is so, so simple and affordable. A starter kit costs $20 and it has all the pieces to irrigate a 20' x 15' bed (depending on water demand and soil type.) You can even purchase battery operated timers so you can water while you are away for $30. Soooo, I have a list of parts and will complete the irrigation system in beds two and three. I am still undecided about bed number 4, I may use an old fashioned soaker hose.
Landscape plan. Yes, yes, we've decided to add flower bed number 4, just to the SE of the back porch so that we can enjoy the seasonal color when we sit out doors.
Irrigation, you ask? This is Texas. Even making "Earth Kind" or "SmartScape" choices, in the dog days of summer irrigation or water supplements are a must. Welcome to Texas. The goal is to keep watering to a minimum. Well adapted and native plants are being selected.
Vegetable beds. The funny looking frames that resembled covered wagons have been placed out in the full sun. The frames have been filled with organically (composted) rich garden soil and covered with crop row cover cloth. The winds have been gusty today and the thin white fabric is flapping about wildly despite my best efforts to tuck, tack and stake the film in place. Bella has been growling at the poltergeist beast that has moved into her pasture.
Target date to move seedlings and plants into the new frames is March 27. I am tempted to start some seeds this weekend but a trip out of town is keeping me from playing the odds of avoiding a obliterating freeze. So, since I won't be about to tend or water the sprigs, I have to wait and it will probably prove the prudent choice due to the erratic temperature shifts of this past winter.
Mulch mulch mulch. The power company has been busy trimming (or butchering) the trees that were hanging over the power lines in the area. I asked for and received a free load of wood chips.
We have plenty to keep us busy in our garden during March while we battle the gusty winds. The sidewalk is the priority.

A Hint of Spring

The hope for spring remains a mere promise or hint as North Texas has experienced a very unseasonably hard and cold winter that just won't release it's grip.
The indoor seedlings I planted are struggling. The lack of sunny days has paid it's toll. I relented and purchased a grow lamp/light and have it set on a timer. I won't relent on the indoor thermostat setting so the heat will remain low. The seedlings that have survived will have to suffice with the temperature as it remains. I have a feeling though that once the sun starts shining on a consistent basis in North Texas the temps will start rising.
Oh but these are the joys and challenges of trying to garden in this fair state of extremes we call home and Texas.
The garden bed frame constructed in February still sits atop the picnic table. It's been either too cold or muddy to work in yard.
The only decent yard weekend we've had in North Texas, David and I spent in a valiant attempt to "MAKE OVER" the tiny yard in Coppell. The hope that anything green sprouting will lure a buyer. It does have the appearance of being a very professional landscape. Hhrrrm IMHO.
The poor doggies, Molly and Bella are banned to the tiny dog run in the side yard while in the 'burbs'. Don't feel too sad for the dogs, they get to run and roam at will when at the lake home.

The moral of the story is there is no instant gratification in gardening. So the yard remains barren but the hours of labor and the amount of progress are enormous if you look between the lines.
Gardening and patience go hand in hand.