Last week's article highlighted the variety of plants that we have discovered on the property, along with the ones that we have planted ourselves. After some feedback from readers, I discovered that one of the plants that I was unfamiliar with is actually an invasive weed, Creeping Charlie, also known as ground ivy. Next step is to get it under control even though it looked so pretty with the lavender flowers.
With weather that was perfect and unexpected for mid-April, all work on the inside of the house halted as we concentrated on the yard. Before the mower completely died, the long overgrown grass behind the outbuildings was cut. The side yard that is most visible to those who walk and drive by, was able to be cut with the rotary mower. A trimmed yard makes such a welcome change.
While the grass was being cut, potting soil and petunias were being purchased. So many colorful pots had been sitting barren all winter, just waiting for the right moment to be useful again. Once the pots have been set, it may take some time to figure out where the optimal location would be for each pot so that the flowers get enough sunlight. Such an easy way to add a touch of color to the property without having to make a permanent decision.
Onto the historic boxwoods. Last fall we had someone come and try and save them, as they were so overgrown that many of them 
needed to be propped up with boards and tied to the porch, so they could again grow up on their own. After removing the boards and ropes, we realized that next step was to start taking some height off the top, and clear out the overhang of growth, mixed with green and dead branches. These boxwoods grow very slowly, but we have already seen new growth on the lower portion of the trunks, and hope that now the sun will be able to reach the inside branches, they will fill out even more over time. This latest trim is also allowing more sunlight onto the front porch, which will help with bringing more light to the potted flowers.
Finishing up the treatment on the boxwoods, and potting flowers, the next step is to create more of a border to the beds and yard. Cutting in just outside of the boxwoods, we were able to treat the ground that did not have grass growing because of years of boxwood cover. After raking the ground we laid down a mixture of grass seed, fertilizer and a mulch and watered thoroughly. As we are in the middle of a drought, it may be tough to get this area to turn green. On the side yard, the beds were cut in a little further out from below the boxwoods, to give space for the newly planted hostas and potted flowers and herbs. All of these beds were then topped off with a nice heavy layer of mulch, giving the yard a more finished look.
After a full weekend of outside work, I just remind myself that the beautiful display of nature outside was worth a weekend of not having completed anything on the inside. Get outside and enjoy this wonderful spring weather, and the fruits of your labor!
