Garden Cleaning...

Earlier this week I sent out a post asking YOU, my lovely followers, to stick with me...and a few of you commented that you would!!!

That made me so HAPPY!

I have  had a project this week, that wasn't the most fun...but a necessary part of my life every year...

CLEANING THE GARDEN!!

We have many different gardens on our property...it was a passion of mine when the kids were smaller and I was spending so much time outside with them...it continued on through their teen years when they were off with their friends.  Now it seems more like a chore than anything else...and something I am hoping to simplify.

Don't get me wrong I love the gardens mid summer when they are looking like this...

...all lush and beautiful and green.

But to get to that point, I inevitably, have to clean them out every spring.

I don't use fancy equipment...just a rake and some pruning sheers...but there is a new piece of equipment that I have had to use the last couple of years that really doesn't make me too happy...

Sorry for the furrowed brow - it was overcast earlier this week but very bright out that day....Pfft - who am I kidding...that look is one of frustration at having to wear this lovely mask now when I am working in the yard...

You see - stem cell transplant patients, like myself, are susceptible to getting lung problems quite easily and nothing speeds that up than leaf mold and microbes found in the dirt...So - as a precaution I use a mask when I do my yard work now...(sorry if I scared anyone with that picture!!)

I raked all the leaves and debris into piles in the yard and when McG got home from work that day he helped me by picking them up - that is something he does for me - because I'm really not supposed to play in the leaves...

I found many treasures under the leaves...including some daffodils that are just about to bloom...

It's been raining and cold here since I uncovered the gardens.  I am hoping that everything that has spouted up will be ok without the layer of leaves to keep them warm...

The yard looks much cleaner and more up-kept now...You can see the irises and tulips already up here on the side of the house.

I have one garden bed left to clean...hopefully it will be a bit drier and warmer this week and I will be able to get that one cleaned out.

I can't wait to show you the garden as it develops this spring and summer...that is, if it ever gets here!!!

Happy Sunday!

Cheryl