Lawnmower

Lawnmower
Originally uploaded by nicole radja

Last weekend we bought a lawnmower. Needless to say, our neighbors were excited that we finally cut our turf. We got a craftsman with the big wheels in back to handle our not so flat yard. It runs like a dream, happy with it so far!

Ro-to-tilla

Today my father brought over a rototiller to begin our gardens with. He graciously tilled the weed garden that will become our vegetable and herb garden as well as our berry patch and rose garden. My husband dug some holes where cemented posts once held a pool deck and my mother, son and I removed rocks, weeds and wasps in what will be our back flower garden.



My mother, a wonderful gardener, (dad is too), gave me lots of great plants from her garden. My sweet neighbor also gave me some plants. She also has a very ambitious vegetable garden that I can't wait to see in full bloom. Today I planted Rudbeckia, Hostas, Black Eyed Susans, Peonies, a grass and some others.

Thanks everyone for your help!

Things growing I did not plant

I was surprised to see all these flowers come up that I did not plant. Thank you previous homeowner for these. For the lumpy back yard and the dandelions and weeds, no thanks, but for these, thanks!

Anyone know what the plant is in the top left of the grid?

Plastic Lawn Removal

This weekend I enlisted the help of my mother and husband to remove the plastic netting that covers a good portion of the lawn. The previous owners had a swimming pool-apparently filled with sticks-that was removed and in its stead was placed grass seed, some green straw looking stuff and a plastic net. My mother and I pulled up the netting while my husband raked the remnants.

We have this stuff on the side of the garage, and all along the back. I think it was fine for winter, but I feel that the plastic had to go, and if it sits any longer, it will suffocate the grass. A couple more days of this, and we should have lawn.

Now to dispose of the stuff.

I used part of it to make a toddler wall on the side of the garage so my boy can't run down the driveway to the street. Eventually a fence will be put here, but for now, the toddler wall will be made of, well, whatever this stuff is.

Lillies?

lilliesnew
Originally uploaded by nicole radja

Some flowers have been popping up where the rose garden is to be, next to the garage. I hope they are the orange ones!

Compost

Just installed the new composter. Now kitchen scraps have a place to go. I read you can even put your hair in there.

Backyard is puddling

With Spring has come melting snow and we've already had a couple big rain storms. I have learned that my yard holds water in the back in 2 ponds. I have the feeling it's not just the runoff from my house and garage, but that I'm getting the neighbors' runoff as well. Yikes.

Some grading and a Rain Garden seems to be the answer here.