Update on the Hydrangea Bed

Well, what a week off from school this is turning out to be.  One might think that I would be resting and relaxing.  But such is not the case.  I had told Mark, the better half, that I would be off this week and that he might want to take a day or two for us to work in the yard.  He did more than that!  Always thrifty with his leave, he took every afternoon off.  He is getting home about 3:00 P.M.  So, I work on graduate school work and long neglected household chores, then work in the yard.  UGH!  But the benefits of all matters are showing up.

Monday was our first day in the yard.  Mark wanted to work in the back, but I prevailed and we headed to the front and the task of beginning the preparation for spring planting of Mother’s beloved hydrangea bushes.  Mark has a new week whacker and with it he purchased a blade attachment.  He is complaining of having a stiff back and I took pity and ran the machine.  It was heavier than I expected!  So, I propped the shaft on my thigh and started clearing.  I worked and then Mark took over.  We used the weed eater until the battery ran out.  I got a break as I walked it in to put the battery on the charger.

Did we stop?  No way!  Hand work is just as good and frequently better.  But it is back-breaking work.  No one in my family is able to squat and keep our balance.  Mark’s mother, even at 91 years young, can squat, flat-footed, and work and work.  I have to stoop over, hence the ache in my back this morning.  But the benefits I see in the bed are well worth the effort.  As we worked a neighbor who walks regularly told us how much better the yard was looking.  I asked her to call an ambulance if she saw us supine in the yard.  She chuckled loudly and asked the number for 9-1-1.  This brought a hardy laugh from all; she continued her walk and we our work.

Lots of the undergrowth is English ivy.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love English ivy, just not in my yard.  It is beautiful in and around trees when someone else has it.  I want my ground clear, save leaves or pine straw.  If you care, look back at the before pictures.  We are by no means finished.  We got about half the bed cleared, but we have to go back to pull ivy vines and roots.  These will sprout if left in the ground.  I have a handy bottle of Round-up ready for the spring!  I will not have this junk in my hydrangea bed.  Mark will also have to dig up some Crape Myrle stumps as well as stumps from unwanted privet hedge.  Then he will get his big tiller to chew up additional roots that will not be gotten by hand.  I am determined that, together, this bed will be a showplace.

Back-breaking work and its rewards are a pain and joy in my brand of country living.