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In 2007, when King's mulch-eating issues developed, I started switching out the stuff for lava rock. I raked off as much of the mulch as I could, then covered the rest with landscape cloth and spread the rock over top. I covered most of the mulch over the course of a couple of weekends, but putting down landscape cloth around existing plants is a royal PITA, especially in midsummer when everything is leafy and spreading. Still, I managed to redo a stretch alongside the house and one-third of the area under the birdbath.
Then book pressures hit. Other things needed doing. No time. Mickey got sick. Etc, etc. I had closed off the rest of the birdbath garden with short landscape fencing. This actually worked out well because it kept King from peeing on the astilbes and hosta. which flourished as a result. But the fence leaned over time, fell completely over the winter, and had to be moved every time I cut the grass so I could trim against the rock edging. And the half-and-half looked like hell, really, so I decided to put down the rest of the rock before the plants burst forth and made the job that much more difficult. Put the cloth down yesterday after work. Started dumping rock today, and got halfway through when a line of t-showers sped through. Not a long rain, but just enough to bring matters to a screeching halt. All tools back in the garage. All seedlings, which I had put outside to get a first taste of the Great Outdoors, back in the house.
Earlier in the week, no rain was predicted. Now it looks like we will have off and on rain with possible t-showers all weekend, and damn but we don't need it.
I'll try to do the rest this afternoon. The radar map looks clear so far, so I'm hoping nothing develops.
In better gardening news, one of the cantaloupe seeds that I planted last month looks like it's sprouting. *w00t*!!
UPDATE: storms are developing along the lakeshore. Rain is pissing down as I type. No more yardwork today...
Then book pressures hit. Other things needed doing. No time. Mickey got sick. Etc, etc. I had closed off the rest of the birdbath garden with short landscape fencing. This actually worked out well because it kept King from peeing on the astilbes and hosta. which flourished as a result. But the fence leaned over time, fell completely over the winter, and had to be moved every time I cut the grass so I could trim against the rock edging. And the half-and-half looked like hell, really, so I decided to put down the rest of the rock before the plants burst forth and made the job that much more difficult. Put the cloth down yesterday after work. Started dumping rock today, and got halfway through when a line of t-showers sped through. Not a long rain, but just enough to bring matters to a screeching halt. All tools back in the garage. All seedlings, which I had put outside to get a first taste of the Great Outdoors, back in the house.
Earlier in the week, no rain was predicted. Now it looks like we will have off and on rain with possible t-showers all weekend, and damn but we don't need it.
I'll try to do the rest this afternoon. The radar map looks clear so far, so I'm hoping nothing develops.
In better gardening news, one of the cantaloupe seeds that I planted last month looks like it's sprouting. *w00t*!!
UPDATE: storms are developing along the lakeshore. Rain is pissing down as I type. No more yardwork today...
