A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Gardener's Chat No Pictures but lots of Plans

I thought I had started a topic about my new home and garden but I can't find it so I thought I would start one. Sometimes I remember doing things that I haven't. Very weird I know.

Ok first off the list of things that need to be done:

Replace the broken mailbox post.
Repair, Replace or just take down the 2 rail fence.
Make an address sign for underneath the mailbox.
Plant ditch lilies in the ditch in front of the house.
If I leave the Fence in place plant the black and pink Hollyhocks along it.

Make a full sun flowerbed from the fence to 8 feet back from the fence. That would be about 20 feet by 8.
This would get the two golden chain trees, one mock double bloom orange bush, petunias, celosia, chinese lanterns, money plants and boxwoods.

Finish weeding the tree bed. Get another 4 tons of soil to spread around. Finish putting rocks around the board of the bed. Plant the peonies that are comming this fall woohoo. Need to get some bonemeal.

weed and Feed the lawn front and back into submission.

Plant the sidwalk bed when it is done decomposing and is ready to plant. This fall I hope. It will get the crocuses, tulips, hycinth, and other bulbs planted in it. so it matches the foundation bed on the other side.

Dig the rocks out of the veggie patch.
weed it until all the weeds are gone.
Amend it with horse manure and green compost. Add calcium and other additives as necessary for the veggies I want to plant. Put up the trellises to support the canteloupe.

Make sure that all of the trees are 20 feet away from the well head.

Make raised beds along the right side of the driveway for the dwarf fruit trees and bushes.

So far today I cut down that tree that was menacing the house. I'm so glad to have that gone. And it does change the appearance of that area over there. Once I get the brush cleared out of there it will be very park like. I know I'm just going to love it.

I'm still working on getting all the gravel out of the sidewalk. I haven't completed that job yet.

that's a long list TK, but I'm like you I feel it goese faster if I have a list
I got some digging up I need to do that'll be easier now that it's rained some

Thank you for the rain everyone. I needed it. While it was raining I was trying to think of a way to keep my soil in place until the ground covers could do their jobs. And I'm thinking that if I take the log that I cut down. Section it off and then stand the cut pieces on end at the top of the tree bed they could create a little barrier for the run off. Thus helping to keep my soil in place by not letting the run off at it. What do you think?
I won't be able to do it today because I'm going to help put the roof on a barn. But I might be able to work on it tomorrow.

A long list Tammy but with time it'll get done and by then you'll be making another list

Not sure on the soil problem...anything is worth a try though.

how long does it usually take you to get a list that long done?

There is no telling. Somethings are waiting on money. Some are slowly getting done. It's like the mailbox. I've replaced the mailbox but now I have to wait to be able to buy the post. How long depends on how many other things are inline for the little disposable income I have. Once I have it though it's just a matter of unscrewing a few screws taking out two nails and then wiggling the current post around until I can get it out of the ground. Then put in the new one fill in the hole with concrete and then once that is set mounting the box on top. Say half a day and I'm done. But first I have to get the money for the post, concrete, level and trowel. I already have some junk lumber that I can use to keep the post level until the concrete sets.

Now as for planting the ditch lilies that I already have that's just waiting until fall when it is best to transplant them.

The full sun flower bed is going to take a year plus the time it takes me to gather up the money for the plants I want. I could laydown the cardboard now and begin layering the manure and leaves on it. But I've got two flower beds in the works already. The sidewalk bed and the veggie bed will happen first. And I've only got so much compost in the works. There is no way there would be enough for all three unless I wanted to buy the top soil. And I'd rather spend the money on plants that I can't grow from seed.

So what usually happens is I get 4 or 5 items done on a list and then I add another 15 to 40 to the list and it continues to grow longer. After awhile it becomes scary big.

If you think this is a long list you should see the one for the house projects. Everytime I look around there is something more to be done. And that's just to keep it all together. That one is scary. But so far I've gotten a half a dozen projects knocked off of it and I'm researching how to do more of them.

it's always good to get some things on the list done, I keep an ongoing list and do small things everyday that way I feel like I've done something

I do the same...drives DH crazy.

I love home renos.....did you ever get the siding tool tammy?

I don't remember looking for a siding tool. But, the answer is no I didn't. I did get the plumbing tool. Now I just have to get someone to hold the faucets inplace while I get underneath the bathtub and use it. Easier said than done I'll tell you lol.

I don't really have any small stuff to do that isn't waiting on a money item. So I'm just plugging along on the big things. Right now I'm not making much progress because I'm helping a friend with her barn. I'm loving that but it isn't helping me accomplish much around here. But I'll get there. Little bit by little bit.

Oh, I answered a question you posted about repairing siding...did you forget about it? That's why I asked about the siding tool, here they give them for free.

I did forget. That happens all the time. Could you link me with the answer you gave. I do need that information. The more I walk around the house the more broken siding pieces I find.

I've got the Hollyhock seeds planted that's one lol.
Finished the first round of weeding in the tree bed.

I don't think I'll be buying any more soil.

And that catches up this thread I think. lol

Go to your local building supple store and ask for a siding tool. They give them to you free here. It looks like an old time bottle opener except it has a curved under rim.

To patch a hole. You slide it under the piece you want to fix and as you zip it along it pops it out of place. Then you use ABS glue to glue a patch(I use a scrap of the same colour siding)to the back of it. Leave it set then take the palm of your hand and hit the edge of the siding to pop it back in place.

To replace a whole piece. You slide the tool under the piece ABOVE where you want to fix. Then you remove the nails from the piece under it, just pull off. Put your new piece in, bottom first. Don't nail tight, you need room for expansion. Then use the palm of your hand to hit the edges of the piece above back in place again.

If you can't get a siding tool, let me know. I have to go to town next week...I'll get you one and throw it in the mail.

Thanks Tamara. That's going to help a great deal. I'm glad it sounds so easy. I'd love it if you would pick up the tool for me. I'll pay you for the postage.

Nah don't worry about postage, I'll throw it in a bubble wrap envelope. I'm only going next week though so you might have a two week wait til it gets there

I'll pm you for your addie when I pick it up.

Thank you Tamara that is really sweet. Every time I get something done it's like a load off of my shoulders.

Today being Sunday I won't do anything really. At least not as far as repair or maintenance.

I am going to make some sour dough starter to take to my neighbor after church. she is really sweet and we have talked about it before. This is the first chance I've had to get it done though. That is if the hot weather doesn't do me in getting to and from church. It's a good thirty miles and it takes about 45 minutes to get there.

And speaking of neighbors her husband brought me a bag full of peaches. Isn't that sweet. He was suprised that I cut down the dead tree that was to close to my house. He asked me how I did it. And he really listened to me when I answered. He's a very nice older gentleman.

Ok I didn't get the sour dough done. Maybe today after I get the car aligned. Crossing fingers that, that doesn't cost the earth. Grrrrh always one thing or another. But it does keep me on my toes.

After the alignment I have to go get line for the weed eater. It's time to cut the lawn/weeds again. Wish I had the money for the weed and feed too but I don't. It will have to wait until September now. I'm definitely going to do a pre-emergent next year. That's going to help alot.