Motivation Restored

The last post touched on my lack of motivation to get outside and clean up the three flower beds.

Now I am wondering why I didn't get out there sooner as bed number two looks awesome after only one hour of digging in the dirt this past weekend.

Saturday I read about Hidden Springs Flower Farm just 1 1/2 miles north of Spring Grove, MN on County Road 4. Fields of blooming Peonies filled my view with an array of vibrant colors. Thank you to a Facebook friend for sharing this hidden secret with her Facebook friends. I checked it out and came home with two purple-leafed Sedums. It did not take long for me to get outside and dig up the weeds making room for two tender plants that needed a home. The bed is full of plants that appear as if I have lovingly cared for them these past three years. As you, my faithful followers know I have not been taking care of them. The bed is filling out as I had planned. This is the bed protected by the big white dog.

It makes me wonder if I fret too much about the beds.

Tonight it is raining and am looking forward to seeing the plants come alive when the sun pops out in the morning.

Encouragement Needed

Sitting in the house on a beautiful sunny day, a high of 80 degrees, looking out the window at plants that need deadheading and weeds that need pulling. I cannot believe that I am not outside working in the dirt. I am wondering why I am waiting? What will it take to get me motivated? What will it take for me to head outside and get dirty?

I know I enjoy working in the garden once I get started. I always love how the beds look.  My opinion of what a pretty flower bed looks like is the same as what I think a successful ad look likes. Clean and simple, not cluttered with stuff. Wish me luck as I motivate myself to head outside.

Update. Two days later.  I had so much to do before I headed out on vacation. I never rounded up the energy to go outside and do any yard work. I am not going to kick myself for not getting it done. I am human, after all.

April Showers Brings May Weeds

Two days of bright sunshine and warm weather start off the week only to be followed by multiple days of rain.

Love the rain even though I know it means there will be a bundle of weeds to pull this weekend.

Easter Morning In The Garden

Easter Sunday, the earliest I have been working in the garden since moving back to Iowa. The weather, today, is perfect for working outdoors.  Headed out first thing this morning before it gets to warm. Spent an hour using the three new garden tools purchased from the local hardware store - long-handled mini shovel, Frisker hand pruner, and Frisker heavy-duty hand rake - cleaning the first of three flower beds.

Creeping Charlie is the most frustrating plant I have ever had to remove as the majority of it is growing among the patch of glad bulbs. There is also a giant dandelion buried deep among the bulbs which are stressing me out. Could not remove the dandelion root without removing a handful of bulbs. Awwwww! 

Removed lots of the  Creeping Charlie but there is still more to pull out. There must be a natural solution that will stop the Creeping Charlie once and for all. Time to visit a garden center for help. Three years and the stubborn Creeping Charlie keeps coming back. I'm done being nice.

Dead heading the Sedum was easy this year, thanks to the new pruning tool. Tony was responsible for helping me get the single rose bush pruned.

The bed looks 100% done. Two more to go.