Garden Inspirations

My week in Paris in mid-April ramped up my yearning to get gardening.

Luxembourg Gardens

Another Parisian garden

Thank goodness the weather is cooperating since I returned. Thinking back on garden clean-up last year, the difference is incredible. I cut down/cleaned up on the last weekend in April both years. This year, there is so much growth mostly due to the mild winter and a very warm spring. It makes me want to plant the vegetable garden but I know Calgary is a fickle city and the weather may change on a dime. It may still snow and freeze so I will wait until after the May long weekend to add annuals and vegetables. Digging in dirt is good for the soul and I spent 4 hours last weekend on the garden and another 6 this weekend. I figure it probably needs another 5 hours before it is ready for the season. These pictures show the difference between the 2 years.

Last year

This year...although the pictures don't do it justice...there is tons of green

This year too

Waiting for the May Long is not without its rewards since I can start many plants indoors. I picked up some seeds this weekend.

I have so many plans for this garden. Last year, I basically left the yard to see what happen and to find out what was in it. While I still don't know what most of the plants are, I really hope to make it my own this year. I am taking the week off after the May long weekend to really whip the space into shape. And since I am a notorious list maker, here is a list of my plans:

- Transplant Lilac to dirt by fence - Done
- Drain fish pond - Done
- Build raised vegetable bed in space next to raspberry patch: Need to measure, buy wood, learn how to build it. Hope to use some of the wood in the garage to keep the rustic look
- Order a tree to go into the hole where the pond was: Narrowed it down to 3 choices: Chokecherry Schubert, Apple: September Ruby or Crabapple Thunderchild.
- Order big bag of dirt to fill in rest of hole
- Order washed rock for path and landscaping needs
- Line main garden path with big rocks - Partially Done
- Use flat stones to make path throughout the back garden
- Transplant some of the rhubarb to make it more accessible- Done
- Transplant Saskatoon bushes to place behind willow feature - Done
- Transplant Hydrangea to dirt by fence - Done
- Create a keyhole in the raspberry patch for easier access to fruit
- Clean up front & back yard - Done (6-7 bags of leaves & 1 massive pile of limbs, stems, wood-y items)
- Keep noxious weed that took over yard last year out of the garden - in progress
- Trim front cherry trees - Done
- Move twigs/branches/stems pile to east side of the garage (not in compost)
- Turn compost - in progress
- Check compost dirt - Done and it is beautiful. I plan to add it to the garden once bed is made
- Move grate to west side of raspberry patch
- Bury a large board on north side of raspberry patch to prevent roots from spreading
- Measure backyard
- Take bottles in garage to bottle depot
- Clean up garage - in progress
- Clean gutters
- Pull up dandelions
- Create firepit and bench area for awesome summer nights - see picture below
- Set up water garden in bucket to save the pond plants - in progress
- Maintain wooden water barrels
- Clean front porch
- String lights on laundry line
- Extend patio with bricks
- Pull up grass (weed-like) that is spreading across the garden like wildfire
- Mow front grass
- Water trees (winter did not have much snow)
- Figure out how to make the patio more cute/inviting

Remember when it looked like this last year:

Okay, about the firepit idea...it has floated around in my mind for a while now and a chance conversation with my neighbour yesterday confirmed my plans. He was asking how I was changing up the garden this year and I mentioned that I was thinking about the firepit space. Next thing I know he has offered to give me one. He has a small one they don't use and he wouldn't even let me pay for it. I am so lucky to have them as neighbours. On a side note, they are actually temporarily moving to Edmonton for work but have rented out their house to another great couple...so win for me on both accounts. Here is a picture of my new firepit (or stove?). Can't wait to get the yard in shape and have wine by the fire. Who is coming over?

Isn't it cute?

In other news, I am finding so much information about the previous owners of my house. I have all the names and professions of the people who lived here from 1912-1953. I plan to attend a session about how to research your house that the Calgary Public Library is holding in a couple weeks. And with all sorts of centennial celebrations in Calgary this year, there is also a Century Homes initiative. Check it out here.  I think I am going to participate...sounds like fun. Okay, maybe it just sounds like fun for me! I am just a bit in love with my house!

The somewhat underwhelming reveal

A quick post before I leave on my trip to Paris with my sisters and mom...I did finish the floor of my guest room. Actually, I finished half of the floor because my furniture was sitting on the other side. That is why this is an underwhelming reveal. And the fact I need to still add baseboards, hardware, pictures and curtains before I feel it is done. Ok, the room is only halfway done. Aren't you impressed?
But I thought I would share my before and after shots to demonstrate that it looks a lot better than it did.

BEFORE: The hallway at the bottom of the basement stairs

BEFORE: The guest room/art studio

BEFORE: The half of the guest room I haven't done due to the piles of furniture

AFTER: The hallway at the bottom of the basement stairs

AFTER: The new guest room

AFTER

AFTER

AFTER

STILL TO BE DONE: Angle 1

STILL TO BE DONE: Angle 2.

 The area that still needs to be done has no walls and is quite a bit smaller than the completed area. I will probably set up my art/sewing stuff in the "still-to-done" area so guests don't have to sleep in the part of the room with no walls and ceilings. I am nice like that.

So who's going to come visit me?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gardening: Cheaper than therapy & you get tomatoes

And spring is definitely in the air. My airplane reading has lots to do with gardening plans...stay tuned. Happy Easter everyone!

RIP

It appears my koi fish did not survive winter. I thought I wintered the pond as the former owners showed me but as the pond is melting in this spring weather, I see some death and fish carcasses in the ice floe. It is not pretty and subsequently, there are no pictures for this post.

Now, if only someone can come and discard of the fish remains from the pond so I don't have to do it, all would be fine. I highly doubt that wish will come to reality so I may have to clean it up myself...before I leave on my holidays next week so the other animals (cats, crows, magpies, bears, etc) don't make the matter worse. I am joking about the bears...come on, I live in the inner city. But this just shows that I am really not good with animals. I tried. I am baffled on how the fish survived such a cold winter last year but died this year. Mysterious!

So after a moment of silence in remembrance of the fish, I know there is a silver lining...I may just fill in the pond and extend my patio. Because at the end of the day, the pond is really a lot of work and maintenance and cost and a mosquito attractor!! Actually, I may just plant a nice tree in there. The hole is already dug and it would provide great shade in years to come for my patio...oh things work out well sometimes.

Too bad about the fish though!