Beginnings of Outdoor Clean-Up
One day it's decidedly spring and the next, winter wants to linger. I took advantage of yesterday leaning towards spring to get a few outdoor jobs done. One, not fun and probably disgusting, was cleaning up dog poo all over the back yard. We really try to retrieve when the dogs are finished and dispose, but it's not always feasible, thus the spring time ritual for dog owners. There were a few broken pots and one that practically disintegrated to clean up as well.
The rest of March and April will be unpredictable weather wise, and the weather almanac says its too early, but I'm itching to get the yard raked and get grass seed put down. I have an idea of how I want a fire pit area but there's a lot of prep work to happen first.
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| Shadowy mess still from last year. |
Another job was to finally call it an end to the spruce pot. After it crashed in January (probably from the neighbors visiting cat) I salvaged into a spare. It's no longer pretty and since no longer frozen, just a dirty, needle mess. I got the porch siding brushed too, removing a hornets nest that must have been missed last summer. I'm grateful not anyone got stung! I grabbed the chair cushions, a new bench is going to have to wait another year, and put them in the washer so it looks fresher out there. Another itch is for some flowering plants on the porch, but still way to early. Think mid May at the earliest. I also swept out the garage and was happy to actually see the floor!
It's going to be gray and rainy this morning and expected to be down right cold Friday. Then, spring comes back Saturday. For now, it's about cleaning messes left before or that materialized during winter. I can think and plan for consistently sunny days ahead.
You're doing what I have been "thinking" I should do: start the spring cleanup. Good for you, Sam; I am going to use your example as a gentle spur to get mine going.
ReplyDeleteI knew that hidden by snow was the awful remnants of two dogs. I couldn't bare sitting outside on the ni e days knowing the yard was essentially an unflushrd toilet. Momentum kept me on the other jobs.
DeleteAs tempting as it is to clean up in the early spring the experts say we should wait until the temperatures are consistently above 50°F before cleaning up dead leaves. That allows the overwintering insects, bees, and butterflies to emerge from the leaf litter. So there's an excuse for anyone who feels they're behind. We need the insects to feed the birds, the bees to help our food crops and the butterflies to bring us beauty.
ReplyDeleteI knew too early but the 50° reference point is helpful. We might see that by the end of April, maybe not even into May.
DeleteWell done you, I bet it feels good. (Although my slothful nature is glad of the previous comment tocompletely justify my reluctance to make a start in our garden yet)
ReplyDeleteI didn't touch a rake. My cleanup was all the dog a d people messes. In my head I see possibilities.
DeleteEldest had me watching a YouTube channel “Crime Pays, Botany Doesn’t,” and now I am filled with ideas of how to kill more areas of our lawn in lieu of native plants.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing I have to do is have an arborist out here and bite the bullet in two fronts: 1) Cost and 2) Making the decision to have several terrifying-in-a-windstorm trees removed. Latest windstorm found youngest unable to sleep as the biggest fir is right outside his window.
Meanwhile, I could go do some more cleaning of our flower beds but even here it is just still too cold for me.
Your yard is looking good, by the way. I think your fence is pretty.
-Meg B
I really should invest in at least a one tine lawn/ yard care specialist but truly feel I should be able to do minimal basics myself. That's kind of you to say, but the yard is horrendous. Toomuch thin or bare spaces and so little order. I am happy with the fence though
DeleteYes! One day its spring and then winter come back! If I go out of the house I have to dress warmly and then by the afternoon I am taking layers off. Sounds like you are getting a good start on cleaning up outside. I did clean off the back porch yesterday and it looks so much better. But like you, I have plans for warmer days on things I want to address in the yard.
ReplyDeleteMy back patio needs a very good power wash but don't dare yet with the freezing still occurring. The bareness of the grass is annoying me!
DeleteI take advantage of every nice day I get, after the winter weather. It is just so nice to be outside.
ReplyDeleteIt's also nice for the dogs to get more outside time and the old guy likes me out there too. We all need the outside after a long winter.
DeleteI sure love spring cleaning projects! Usually when we get into April in Austin, we are good to go with only cool mornings here and there.
ReplyDeleteI forget how cold parts of Texas can get. I can't say I like spring cleaning projects but like the results.
DeleteIt's definitely up and down with the weather - beautiful today, back to cold tomorrow. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteDog poo, don't miss that. Apparently at daughter's house that is one of her jobs. She decided to pay for the neighbour's teenager to come do it once a week or so (less often in the winter) and he was more than willing!
It's the buried dog stuff that gets missed. Tomorrow's supposed to be downright bitter cold again, then spring temps Saturday. Crazy.
DeleteWeather's the same here - yo-yoing back and forth. I was able to work outside pretty consistently last week - shorts and T-shirt weather - then on Wednesday night after looking after my grandson I drove home in a horrific bloody snow storm!!! It always happens of course, but I still get caught out by it! Isn't spring lovely though!
ReplyDeleteI'll be happier when green and buds start showing. Things are very brown and barren right now. I sure hope the snow is done but thrr years ago we had 2 April snows.
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