Much sunnier today and quite breezy. We must have had a major downpour some time in the night because when I went outside I found the drive had nasty deep ruts and a lot of gravel had washed down into the yard. When I checked the dams I found that the run offs were full of fine road gravel and once they were blocked the water would have run straight down the drive washing out the gravel. I cleared out the run offs and tried to discretely extend them to make them more effective. Then it was time to repair the drive. I did so in a very cross mood because although the work is not that hard I know that shoveling gravel, pushing a wheelbarrow and raking the drive all damage my back and I suffer later. Thank goodness for strong painkillers. At least the small pond is now full of water.
Having repaired the drive and had a bit of a rest I went back to clearing the ground in the hens' run. Fortunately I was able to do that on my knees but I probably spent too long out there. I was mostly digging out stinging nettle roots, see below, and yes those great big thick roots that look like tree roots really are nettle roots. I had started by forking over the top layer of soil but once I found the bigger roots I had to dig down to get rid of them completely.
I worked on until nearly 6.00 when I tottered back indoors, slapped some more paint on the water stains and called it a day.
1 comment:
Oh Ruta, There are days when reading your blog makes me tired and today is one of those days. Those roots are monsters. I've spent three days digging and tossing perennials. I have decided to reduce by circular perennial bed by 2 feet. This means I'll have a smaller garden next year. I've saved cone flowers, phlox, Shasta daisies and day lilies. I will first weed, work the area, divide and replant. All of this will take me a lot time. I hope to be done by the end of September. I am amazed at my lack of strength, drive....I am on my way to 70 in 6 months. That is my excuse to work slowly. I read you blog and marvel at your energy. I know I, too, had energy but....60+ is taking it's toll.
Post a Comment