Ten Minute Gardening

Today the plan is to spend some time in the garden. I have some bulbs to squeeze in somewhere, and an oak tree that must be taken from its holding area (in the pond) and planted on the property. We haven’t yet agreed on a location for that, but if I plant it when Trevor is at work, the decision is mine. A couple of hornbeams are also hoping to be moved from a pail of water and into soil. And then there are the three plastic bags of perennials (more rescues) to sort through and plant. When/if I somehow manage to get all those things planted, the grass needs to be cut. At least, I think it needs cutting. There are so many fallen leaves on the ground, I’m not even sure there is a lawn under them to cut! And then there is the greenhouse. It is crying for attention. Well, it isn’t, but the plants growing in the greenhouse are. Some of those need to be repotted, others are headed straight for the compost pile. They all need to be watered. First though I’ll have to move an antique cupboard and all its parts (my winter project) out of the way so I can at least get to the plants. And, the greenhouse needs to be readied for winter. Sounds like the housework and laundry will have to wait one more day. I knew I could find a reason to put off those fun tasks.

That I would even consider planting anything today is insane! The last two days have been spent doing nothing but planting shrubs, forty-nine of them, and fifteen one gallon perennials. Tuesday, we get the pleasure of planting twelve trees. One has to love horticulture/landscaping/gardening a lot to do it all week at work then spend the weekend doing the same things at home. Either that, or be insane. In my case, it’s a little of both.

If I have all these things to do in the garden today, why am I sitting at the computer, rambling away instead of being outside planting? Because it’s only four thirty in the morning and I think my neighbours would take issue with me cutting the grass in the middle of the night. And, I can’t clean the house because Trevor is sleeping. Yet another reason to put off doing the housework!

PART II

Well, here it is, 8:55 A.M. the day after I wrote the above. Part of yesterday was indeed spent in the garden. The bulbs got planted as did the oak tree. The grass was not cut. After checking under the blanket of leaves, I discovered the lawn really did not need a mowing! Yeah!!! Some of the watering was done, birdbath cleaned out and topped up, the Patio was swept. Why I bothered sweeping I’ll never know as within fifteen minutes, our poplars had dropped enough leaves on the patio to have made the whole exercise futile. And, that most loved task of all – housecleaning – was completed. Today, today I will spend more time in our gardens. Honest!

11:48 A.M.

I’m heading outside as soon as I post this article. Really, I am! The watering and the planting will be done today! It will happen! But please don’t hold your breath.