Tag: Spring cleaning

Southeast Yard Cleanup

Two hours later and a blister between my thumb and pointer but it’s done. The southeast yard looks pretty darned good, I think! All it needs is some warm days, lime and fertilizer.

No leaves, no limbs, no weed trash! It looks so better! The bare spot along the house wall is full of Hosta’s already budding out of the ground.

The big flat rock at the bottom step of the back door has been hauled off to be used somewhere else on the property.

This was a danger for anyone that came out the back door, especially when there was snow or ice.

I’ve got a nice flat bed in front of the chimney for a bunch of zinnias, and I made sure they wouldn’t be in the way of the chimney sweep (my husband). The bricks have been taken to our brick pile. They were placed at the bottom of the chimney clean out but they’re not needed there now.

No leaves, no limbs, no weeds trash! It looks so good!

In the corner of the chimney is a wooden nail keg holding hen & chicks given to me by a wonderful friend and they seem to love that spot where the sun hits them first thing in the morning.

The base of the nail keg is surrounded by Siberian Iris which I have to thin every year. It’s amazing how spread.

Last summer I started a hen & chicks garden in the old stump at the back fence of this part of the yard and it survived the winter which was mild to say the least.

Last summer I cleaned out the center and put some rich dirt in the stump. I pulled babies from my main hen & chick crock and they’re doing great. Another year and it will be full of Hens & Chicks with stringers falling over the stump and rocks. This spot gets morning and evening sun.

I have bird nesting spots all the around the building to the left which used to be a milk house when dairy cattle were on the farm. Now the building is used to store all of my gardening tools, small firewood for the kitchen woodstove, lawn ornaments stored for the winter and 20-30 bags of leaves in the fall/winter season for the chickens and the dog bedding. On the outside of the building are the nesting spots of Carolina wren, house finches and sparrows.

This old shoe that I found in a closet was put up three years ago and the finches love it. They raise at least twice a year. I noticed new feathers lining the outside of the nest while I was cleaning the yard. The birds couldn’t wait until I got out of their space.
This new bird house used to be a bird feeder that Uncle Holl had put up but the birds like it better for nesting.
I put up this old colander that I found last fall and hoping they use it too. The overhang of the roof is great for these houses. Protection from the sun and the cold seems to be a preference.

Next stop, rose garden and front yard which are both the worst of all. I don’t think I’ll be working on it today unless the wind lays and it warms up a bit, so I’ll concentrate on the inside of the house.

Southwest Yard Cleaned Up

Spring cleaning outside as well as inside the house will be happening the next two weeks.

Our yard is a mess from leaves, twigs, dog bones and any kind of debris that occurs over the winter months when I don’t get out to keep it clean.

Yesterday was beautiful and while hubby was busy with his chores, I started cleaning the southwest corner of the yard. It only took about two hours, but I got it done and it looks really nice. Now it ready for some lime and fertilizer because it has lots of moss and the grass is patchy.

No debris and bird feeding station has moved close to the yard but outside the yard. I will hang a hammock or swing at the bird feeding station.
With the bird feeding station in a new location, I should be able to hang laundry outside and give the bed linens a good airing. Sadie is looking for a couple chipmunks that have wintered in the backyard with the birds.
I love a clean yard!!

Next area is the southeast yard on the other side of the house, and it should take about an hour. Depending on the weather this should happen tomorrow.

Library Cleaned Up & Organized

I’ve been doing a lot of cleaning up and cleaning out! I started with the upstairs foyer where I have my own little library. I had books in four different rooms and decided to go through them and keep those I haven’t read and those that I can read over and over. The rest will go to friends, local library and Goodwill.

The shelves are still full, but the other rooms are empty of books except for a few I have to read the next few months beside my armchair.
I’m an avid reader of all books but mainly fiction. Some of my favorite authors are Jean Auel, Jennifer Chiaverini, Danielle Steele, Nicholas Sparks, Karen White, and so many more.
All of these boxes are full of books to go out of the house.

Oh my, I just realized I still have a shelf full of books in our storage room on gardening, landscaping, decor, crafting, beekeeping, and heaven only knows what else. Guess I better find some big boxes because I know there’s a lot of those that will have to go!!!

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