Pathway through the Garden

While in the designing phase, I have envisioned a curvy, meandering pathway through the garden, but how do I create it and with what materials?

Things I need to be mindful:

• Something doable for me to create with little help from Bud. I really really want to do it myself! 
• Something for Momma to easily use with her walker. Or, when she uses the electric scooter, meaning turnarounds and roundabouts. Or, for the ease of it (for my hands) when I push her in her wheelchair through the garden. And, it’s not just for Momma, but for anyone visiting The Sprott Country Gardens. One never knows, it could be me.

(The same issues apply when using a wheelbarrow!)

So, it cannot be a pathway made using gravel, flagstone, wooden planks, or even brick. I’m guessing that leaves me with mixing concrete and using pavers... at least, that would be a movable pathway, a living growing flexible path as the garden grows.

I know I don’t want rounded off edge stones, even though I already have two molds that create the “cobble stone” look. The roundness just makes it much more difficult to roll over. Although this mold appears to make crisp edges - and a double good thing - it looks like a quilt pattern! But, I’m not planning to make straight paths! How would I curve and meander the pathway?

What do you suggest?

Maintenance

All the while designing and planning the garden, I need a focus list (I love to-do lists!) of the maintenance projects I desperately need to do this spring:

1) Add metal roofing to chicken run’s roof. The fabric covering on it now is ripping apart - due to the winds we have - and it’s not water proof! Over the last 24 hours we’ve received two inches of blessed rain. The run is a muddy sloppy mess! The girls don’t seem to mind, but I do when I go inside and muck around with them!

2) Build the chicken chunnel to get the girls out and about to do lots of the garden work for me!










There are so many “styles” of chunnels/tunnels. I sort of have one designed in my head to fit our needs but this is a good overall go-by!
 

http://www.askaprepper.com/diy-chicken-tunnel-step-step-guide/

Plus, I’ve found a lot of ideas on youtube!

3) Oh, and FINISH painting the chicken coop! I ran out of time last year. Must get it done! Oh, and add the plastic “Easter” eggs to the coop’s ceiling! We haven’t yet had an issue, but the roofing screws came through to the inside and I don’t want the girls to get hurt if they got that close to the ceiling! I thought this would be a cute way to cover up the pointy ends of the screws!

4) Aerate around our live oak trees. The ground is so hard, compact. It truly hurts my soul every time I walk by them. I feel like I’m choking, as if the trees are choking and screaming at me. Nothing grows underneath, not even weeds. It’s just barren ground with a single beautiful tree growing up from it. I plan on taking one tree at a time and plant something around at its drip line (will not get close to the tree itself), then sow shade loving grass seed between the trunk and the new plants. I found the perfect tool for this job and it arrives Monday! It’s call the Yard Butler Lawn Coring Aerator Manual Grass Dethatching Turf Plug Core Aeration Tool!!!

I’m sure I will be adding much more to this Maintenance to-do list, but this is a good start! It helps me stay focused and I know how I need to “budget” my time!

First thing First!

In my previous post I failed to mention a MAJOR aspect of planning the garden, a question for which I must find the answer!

How do I keep the blasted white-tail deer
and jackrabbits out of the garden?

It’s heartbreaking to spend money on plants, then put in the time/effort (both precious the older I get) of planting and watering, and saying the blessing prayer over the new plants only to discover the
very.
next.
morning.
they’ve been TOTALLY eaten!

I know, God does answer prayers! It must have been the deer’s prayers He answered, not mine!

Anyway, between Youtube, blogs, and websites, I am searching for different methods and techniques to use this year. I will be applying several layers of deterrents.

I’ve also found several lists of plants - since I’m basically open to anything - that the deer don’t particular like (unless they are very hungry) and will leave alone. Those plants will be my parameter. I’m thinking, if they don’t immediately smell something “good” maybe they will simply move along!

I know they don’t mess with many of the herbs, so I don’t have to fret over the upcoming spiral garden. And, they haven’t ever messed with the numerous iris beds I already have growing.

I know transplanting irises should be done in the spring after blooming season, but I’ve been told by an awarding winning grower/expert - anytime - “You can’t hurt an iris” !!! So, I plan on moving (thinning out they so desperately need) and also using them as a parameter around the new plants.

Maybe hang the Irish Spring Soap again? It does seem like it worked on the jackrabbits - not as much poop evidence.

I so want apple trees this year....

Maybe raise the yard’s fence by attaching staves to the posts already set in the ground, then stretch a couple more strands of barb wire? I read deer can jump 6' so I need the fence to be at least 7'.

Maybe the egg recipe? I certainly have eggs!

I can’t use the water spray thingy, or anything electric. I must keep Anna - our 10 year old (TODAY!) Dobie - in mind so nothing hurts her (or us) during the midnight or wee early morning yard checks! Not to mention the 20+ cats... it’s their job to keep snakes away!

What do you do to keep the deer and jackrabbits from eating your garden?

One Step at a Time

It’s January! Happy New Year!

And, it’s a glorious rainy day!

I’m keeping myself grounded. It can be a bit overwhelming gathering all the different information needed to transform our west yard into a permaculture half acre garden!

One step at a time, Lanetta! The following is what I’ve done, so far...

Using my word processor program, I printed out a 12-month 2019 calendar.

I found the upcoming Moon Phases for 2019 and transferred the information to my calendar. I still want to get the Farmer’s Almanac, but just haven’t - yet!

Since Christmas day, I’ve been watching the 12 Days of Christmas videos Justin Rhodes (Abundant Permaculture) has produced for us! Because of his sage advice, I now know three things for sure...

1) I will create a spiral shaped herb garden, and
2) the next attempt of growing peach trees, I will plant them in our front yard (west side of sidewalk, of course!) and then,
3) I will plant more diversity and use the layering technique beginning with the established oak trees.

Justin often refers to Bill Mollison, so I ordered the highly recommended book, Introduction to Permaculture, it arrives MONDAY!!!

I also went to my online library access and checked out SEVERAL books! All I can read on my Kindle! I know I have a lot of reading to do... a great activity during these cold rainy January days!
Not to mention the upcoming really “down” time beginning next week, when the love of my life has surgery #2 to get ready for surgery #3!

Oh, and this is not annotated on my “Garden” calendar (because it should be an ongoing activity), but the next warmish dry day we have that I’m home, I need to pick up several wheelbarrow worth of cow poop - and get it spread out in my new “Zones” and “Sectors” - you’ll know what I’m talking about after watching Justin’s videos! Or, read Bill’s book along with me!

When to Plant What

I remember hearing/reading how folks will look through gardening magazines and seed/plant catalogs in the winter. It’s the time to make garden plans. Well, winter officially started yesterday! It’s time to get busy planning and designing our upcoming garden. This year I’m getting organized and will actually mark my day planner when to plant what!

I’ve always been late to the party. That’s the way I have always rolled.

This coming year will be different!

This year ~ 2019 ~ will mark the first opportunity since we have owned “The Sprott Country Gardens” that I will not be leaving for long periods of time! Nope! (Not unless I'm dead!)

We are here.
Momma is nearby.

It’s a go!

Rather than going through magazines and catalogs, I did an internet search: “When to Plant Herbs and Vegetables” and found a lot of information!

I like the Better Homes & Garden (BH&G) resource, their planting schedule for a variety of veggies!

Soon I will pop in our County Extension office and pick up some literature more specific to this area. An interesting tidbit I just read on their site (emphasis mine):

Lampasas County lies in the Texas Hill Country at the geographical center of Texas.

Anyhoo...

I LOVE To-Do LISTS!!! And BH&G site already prepared “Zones 7-8 Garden Calendar and Monthly Garden Tips” for me!!! Yes!

But, something else I need when planning and designing the garden is what to plant with what...
Companion Planting Chart for Vegetables is listed nicely on the BH&G site as well!

Of course, the Almanac is a great go-to and it even gave me the”30% probability of frost free after April 1" information needed! I do plan to also plant by the moon dates. I wish these charts had a print icon. Oh. Well.

Oh. My. Lots of studying to do over the next few weeks!

I have started pulling out the dormant grass and weeds from the Keyhole Garden. I mowed it all and gave to the chickens! They loved it! (oh, I need to put 2nd coat of paint on the Chicken Coop as well)

My dream is for our entire west yard to be void of grass and full of vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, fruit trees, and yard art (food for the soul).

Winter is here.

Pretend

One is never too old to learn something new! I am most certain research will back up my claim: It is a great way to stay mentally active!

When I say “new” I refer to acquiring knowledge totally outside my comfort zone. It’s not to polish up my skills, or learn a new technique or way of doing something I already know something about, but a totally new (yet I’ve always wanted to know about) aspect.

I will never actually seek a Masters Degree. It is most impractical for a 65+ me with zero plans on ever working full time again (especially to pay off the over $75,000 ridiculous cost to achieve such a degree). But I have spent the past few days of down time (while husband recuperates from double bypass surgery) coming up with a pretend degree plan through Texas A&M University!

Thank goodness for the Internet and folks/businesses that provide content!

I am very interested in land management (our own personal land and surrounding local community) by transferring the precious commodity into a permaculture landscape.

I started in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences area, then found the “Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Development” (ALEC) degree planner that lists the required courses.

For the “additional” ALEC courses and the “Support Courses” I found TAMU’s online catalog and simply scrolled down the list of course descriptions.

Everything and anything that peeked my interest, I right clicked “open link in new tab” and will read further, later. I have bunches of links open and pray my system doesn’t crash on me!

Oh. My. Goodness. For the first required course “Principles of Adult Education” I found a bucket load of online resources and read and read and read...

Anyway, while trying to keep a low profile around here, that’s what I’ve been doing... learning something new!

What are you learning today?



                   

The Process

As I shared back in September, we have now sold both houses in Dallas. We made the hard decisions.  I’m sure if we hadn’t had all the rain, and had had help, more would be here.

It is what it is.

It is done.

Now the process truly begins of merging all into one. Someday next year I will see my sewing machine, embroidery machine, the serger, quilting machine, and cutting table again! Right now, all are buried with “stuff” to sort through.

I’m focusing on the “common” areas first!

Now to get busy....

Left Behind

This time next month, the houses in Dallas (ours and Momma’s) will be forever gone to us. It’s a new beginning, I keep thinking. And, I gently explain the same to Momma. It’s been home for her since 1950. I cannot imagine the mixture of emotions she must be going through. I try. But, I’m going through my own emotions parting with my childhood home.

So much “stuff” I cannot leave behind. I’m doing well, I suppose, of what I am either selling, or simply walking away from. It’s been difficult, to say the least.

Momma’s treasures, her collections beyond what was listed on her (invalid) codicil and for the most part distributed, I cannot part with. It’s incredibly sad to me what was not wanted...

For me, everything I can place will be on display here at the ranch for her to continue to enjoy for as long as she is able. It’s the way I roll.

Once the dust settles, I plan on listing each item I’ve saved, and writing down its memory, the story left behind. It is obvious no one will want what I wanted. I know I have no one to pass along the hard earned treasures. To whomever settles my estate, it will be simply - stuff.

What a shame.

Two USN knives.
Daddy’s dog tags.
Momma’s high school annuals.
Daddy’s high school annuals.
All the photos. Oh, so many photos.
China Daddy bought Momma and mailed from Japan during the Korean conflict.
“The” dominos
Driftwood from Arkansas
Daddy’s desk
Rocking Chair
Rose Tea Set from Japan Daddy sent his mother.
Pocket Watches
Shaving mug
Original Artwork

Oh, sometimes how I wish this was all.

But it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

While packing up our Dallas kitchen, Bud says we can’t bring it all. I asked him about a big Texaco insulated cup I found in the kitchen that neither one of us has used in about 20 years. He said, “No. That’s a good one." Give me a break, guy!

At least in a month, all decisions will have been made. It will be done. Over. It will be time to move on.
                                   
And the unpacking will begin.


        I need a shed for the She Shed!

Catch Up

It’s been a while since I last wrote an article for Lanetta’s Creations. So much has happened over the past few months.

I totally missed my February “promise” – I haven’t quilted the scrappy Veteran’s quilt. I did get the border put on, but moved on to another promised quilt for a friend out of her grandmother’s clothes. It’s not finished. I need more to finish its border and haven’t yet made the time to pick them up!

So many projects to finish…

I haven’t written/updated, the Journey in the Yolk Yard either! And, we brought home the baby chicks on March 16th! Another badly needed update! During the interim, I have posted pictures and semi-updates on the new Facebook page, Yolk Yard, if anyone cares to see what we’ve been doing.

As I shared on Lanetta’s Creations Facebook page, I did try the “Double Layer Slice Cake” pattern with the lovely fabric (Front Porch) I purchased while working at the Dallas Quilt Show a few weeks ago. After making the blocks with Trey’s twist (cutting both times 3.5” rather than in half on the second round of cutting), I just don’t like it! I haven’t yet sewn the blocks together because I couldn’t get the blocks arranged on my design board that I found pleasing. I’m not used to such big pieces.

I’m thinking about cutting them once again on the diagonal and sewing back together. Maybe that will better suit my fancy.

But, the new design/attempt has to wait a bit.

I have a custom order I need to get done. It’s making 18 pillowcases out of men’s t-shirts. The t-shirts have arrived!!! Now, to just get them cut out and stitched up and mailed! I’m waiting on a rainy day – which hopefully will be tomorrow or the next day if the prediction is correct.

What are you working on?

Whirlwind Week!

It’s been one of those roller coaster weeks we all have from time to time. The ups and downs of emotions that can overwhelm even the strongest willed.

But, it is what it is.

We move forward.

I must move forward.

I need to get back to my sewing room! It’s been over a month! The weather is getting a bit warmer so it shouldn’t take long to heat up the room.

I need to get the border on this 1080 pieces Veteran's quilt…

Then get it quilted! This will be my “February” quilt.

I WILL keep my promise!