Saturday, November 7, 2015

Putting my herb garden to bed, part 2




My Saturday started bright and early.  At least I remembered to bring my camera this time.  Also, based on quite a few of the comments I received yesterday, I thought I should add that I hurt my shoulder when I was working in my neighbor's basement.  She had been told there was mold everywhere and, since she was recovering from a needed surgery (and I offered to help), she wanted me to clean everything with bleach and water.  The problem was, she has no running water in her basement and no place except in her sump pump she just had installed, to dump it.  So I carried bucket after bucket of water downstairs, then back up.   My arm started hurting one day and by the end of the second day, I couldn't raise my elbow above my shoulder without feeling severe pain.

Although I write right handed, I do many, many things left handed.  Since I was trying to keep my left shoulder from screaming in pain, I began using my right hand more and more.  That was exacerbated by the fact my wireless mouse no longer worked and I had to use an old corded one that didn't/doesn't fit my hand.  So that's the back story on the shoulder and wrist.  Now let's head to the garden.

This is what my garden looked like when I quit yesterday.  You can see Part 1 here if you missed it yesterday.

After several hours work, this is the herb garden just prior to cleaning up the driveway.

Believe it or not, I cut a TON of branches from the raspberry bushes, and found five branches that had grown roots.  I cut them from the mother plant, and replanted them.  You might be able to see the tomato cages I used to protect the wee babes.

I've removed all the old herbs from the pots, except the two mint plants.  I don't believe I'll ever kill the mint, so I'm not worried about overwintering it in the house.  These pots of mint would probably live through a nuclear blast.

Some of the pots were in need of more soil, so I got out my potting soil and placed it in as many pots as I possibly could.

The pots on the right side of the photo got the most new soil, and I needed to get more for a few of the ones in the center of the photo.  When spring comes and I plant new seeds, I will straighten the pots and line them up in color specific coordinated rows.  But they are now holding the cardboard in place until it deteriorates enough to be the bottom layer of my ongoing lasagna garden

While my clippers were out, I decided it was time to cut down all the tiny trees I couldn't reach in my "flower bed" with my lawn mower.

Right after I swept, but before I headed to buy more soil, I decided to take this late afternoon shot of the "flower bed" and what was left of the herb garden.  Since my neighbor had chosen to drop his boat in front of my herb garden, I moved my trash can so you could see both locations.

One bag of soil was all I could handle,

but I was able to mostly fill the rest of the pots, although I missed hitting one of the pots because I had no strength left.

I also found a few more bits of paper and cardboard that will disintegrate over the winter

and picked up as much of the dropped soil as I could muster.  I may not be able to use my left arm or right wrist until Christmas, but at least the "flower bed" has been cleaned out, the herb garden has been put to bed, the outdoor faucets have been insulated and covered,

the chiminea, seen in this photo I took in October,

is now safe and warm in the garage, and the small auxiliary window AC I keep in my office to cool my electronics (and myself when I'm there because that room practically doubles as a sauna in the summer, even my wonderful huge central air conditioner can't keep up with) has been removed and stored.

Today was Day 8 of AEDM, and I finished winterizing my home.  This is the time of year I think how helpful a man would be.  Thanks as always for your very kind and generous comments.  Speaking of comments, I apologize if I didn't make it around to visit you today, but I didn't even take time to eat until about an hour ago.  Remember please, if your blog has G+ comments only, I am unable to respond or leave you a comment.  And if you have a blog or web site that requires I "join" in order to leave a comment, I can't leave a reply there, either.

20 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

You have worked very hard, and now please have a rest and take care of all your aching parts. Your herb bed looks good now, and I am sure all will do well over winter after you have prepared for it so well. Have a great day, take care, Hugs, Valerie

Valerie-Jael said...

Me again. Forgot to say, glad you like rust, too, and if you want to use any of my rusty photos - or others at any time, just help yourself! Hugs, Valerie

voodoo vixen said...

Well, your hard work will be worth it but maybe its time to take a rest and do something that doesn't require quite as much physical energy and muscle? LOL
I think you need to out for a plastic tunnel that will fit over all your herbs and then you won't have to over winter them in your house!!

johanna said...

you are such an helping angel and i´m afraid you don´t care enough for yourself! you should listen to the signs of aching earlier...
i hope you have good luck for overwintering. always a hard Task i think... too warm inside... too cold outside...
take care of yourself, and allow you to say "no" if necessary...
xo

Kyla said...

Wow you have worked hard...its not always good working through the pain though. Love the raspberry plants and the newly rooted ones. I used to grow them when I had an allotment, SO much cheaper than any you can buy.
Thanks for my WOYWW tag too.
Happy belated WOYWW

Kyla

Claudia W | ImagesByCW said...

I'm sorry about your shoulder and I hope it heals much quicker than Christmas. You put a lot of work into your garden, but I am sure - come spring, it will be totally worth it.

p.s. visiting from AEDM :)

Anonymous said...

A bum shoulder makes the yard work so tough. And putting the gardens to bed is a lot of work. I've been layering the garden boxes we built out of recycled wood and mulching leaves with the lawnmower to aid my compost. It will be worth it as you know. Bet the worms love your paper disintegration. Good soil under all that. Xox

froebelsternchen said...

You were so so busy Elizabeth! Please rest now and take care of your shoulder and wrist now - all looks fabulous now! -- You remind me of my hubby he is also helping all the neighbars always...I call him Mother Theresa... you could be his sister -lol!
oxo
Susi

SCarol said...

So busy! You've been doing an amazing amount. So sorry about your injury - but you must take it easy now and rest it! Looks like you've got a lovely home.

Divers and Sundry said...

Raspberries! Oh, how nice! I think I'll try some berries in pots next year. I'll bet that'll attract birds for bird-watching :)

Your tree has turned a lovely color. I think fall leaves is the best thing about the season. Thx for sharing the photos. It's inspiring me as I plan my patio :)

Julie Jordan Scott said...

Oh my goodness! So much work - so much physical labor while hurting. You are amazing and I love watching your process. Thank you so much for sharing with us!

And as others have said, I hope you rest. I hope your next post is primarily... "I rested!" :-)

Stacie said...

Okay, you can ignore my question in your last post. You answered how you hurt yourself. I am sorry to hear and hope you get better soon. It does feel good to put things to bed in anticipation of winter. It gives me a cozy feeling as I enjoy winter. As I was reading I was wondering why your husband/partner wasn't helping you, but you answered that too. LOL Good for you for tackling all that work on your own! :-)

My name is Erika. said...

You've been so hard working and busy. It sounds like you have a lot of really lucky people who are your friends. And All that work with your herb garden. Can't wait to see when it it is rich and green and back to full blooms next spring.

Carol said...

You've certainly work hard the last two days :) WE had frost again last night..heavier than the previous ones so more flowers bit the dust last night. I haven't decided if I'm going to clean up the mess now or in the spring. Spring is sounding good right now. Maybe I'll have more energy tomorrow.

NatureFootstep said...

a lot of work to have a garden, but it pays off :)

pearshapedcrafting said...

You have done so well and will be able to leave your garden alone for a while! All you need to do is try to rest your shoulder and wrist. ....but I bet you will find something else to do now!!! Hugs, Chrisx

~*~Patty S said...

Sounds like you did overdo it Lady!
Your tree sure is gorgeous.
I just read an article that says to not rake the leaves because there is all kinds of nature going on in them. Like butterfly eggs and so on.
I tend to leave the garden until spring so the birds can enjoy the seed heads and I guess I usually feel more like gardening in the spring too.
Hope you are taking a well deserved rest.
oxo

Halle said...

Being a good friend/neighbor is very sweet but you must remember to care for yourself as well.
Love the huge tree in your front yard! I'm sure you don't love all the leaves this time of year!
I was outside painting wood slats for the shed doors this afternoon. Mr. G is on vacation and is getting a few projects completed before the snow flies including repair of the shed.

Dianne said...

oh dear, I think you have been doing too much my friend! do take care of your sore joints! I had frozen shoulder for over a year and it was no fun. finally had to break down and get a cortisone shot. hope you are on the mend soon! I am sure you are glad to have the garden squared away for the winter...glad you linked to your past explanation of lasagna gardening too, as it is quite an ingenious method of composting. take care!

Rebeca Trevino said...

what a work out you had E
we did the same thing last saturday, cleaned out the vegetable garden and got it prepped for winter.
waiting for spring and next years tomatoes ( we had a great crop this year.)
hope your shoulder and wrist are feeling beter