I've been looking at the new flower bed beside the driveway thinking it was missing something. I finally figured out what it was, the timbers had no definition and kind of melted into the rock mulch. Then I realized that the timbers to the other flower beds around the house were stained brown, so it was time to do the same with the new timbers. Some was stained last Friday evening (7/6/17) with the leftovers from the previous projects. I had to get more stain and then I finished it up today - I'm really pleased with the added depth and definition the dark color provides. Of course, then I had to re-stain the timbers to the flower beds I put in a couple of years ago so they would all match.
I power washed the back porch and ramp then sprayed it with a eucalyptus mixture to kill mold and algae. Then with some scrubbing and a rinse, it looks much better. No pics, but it was green and now is the natural wood color again.
I still had some pea gravel left at the base of the willow tree that I needed to move for when the tree is taken down. I decided that it needed to go on the side of the house closest - under where the pellet stove exhuasts run. Weeds have finally started getting a foothold in the sandy soil over there and combustible materials should not be below the exhausts as a safety precaution. So I weeded and hoed and raked in prep. I dug a footing for landscape timbers to hold in the weed barrier and stone. But before putting the timbers in, I realized that out of the 3 timbers I have left, only two match. Great! that is all I need. But, before I got them set up, I realized those two timbers don't match the timbers in the front portion of the house, so those are on hold. However, I did get the rest of the pea gravel on the weed barrier (not enough - naturally). I'll get back to that project sooner or later, my main goal was accomplished so I called it a night at 6:15.
Tomorrow I mow then get to pick from a list of things that need doing. I did power wash the back side of the house at the same time as I did the porch/ramp, so I should scrape the peeling paint and then get some new paint in. We'll see . . .
Beautiful, beautiful work, Bogie. I'll be sending some irises your way within a couple of days. I'm disappointed in their condition. It's been too darned hot for me to be able to do much. My current plan is to let Tender Car rip out a bunch of irises for me, later in the season (along with some other work). Depending upon when it gets done, send more at that time (hopefully in better shape than this batch) or over-winter some to send you next spring/summer.
Glad you got the power-washing done. That algae can be slick!
Posted by: Cop Car | July 16, 2017 at 10:43 AM
I go out to work in the yard, early mornings. Usually for at least 20 minutes, rarely over an hour these days. Yesterday, I weeded some of the area near the cherry tree, and planted some starts of Stone Crop (sedum). (I had poked a dozen clippings from the plants next to the front steps into small plastic starter cups a couple of weeks ago.) By the time I got that done and spread mulch around the new plantings (the bag of much was probably 50-60 pounds from soaking up rain a couple of nights ago), I was on the verge of conking out.
I came in to take a cold shower, drink a pint of water, and lie on the floor for a while. (I had stripped my bed for the wash, so couldn't use it.) I was only out there for 55 minutes; but, since I can't sweat, it was too much! I didn't go out at all, this morning. Didn't heave myself out of bed until nearly 8 am since we had gone to Music Theatre Wichita last night.
Posted by: Cop Car | July 16, 2017 at 10:54 AM
Looks awesome!
Posted by: Ruth | July 17, 2017 at 10:00 AM
The irises got here early so I'll get them planted today.
It must really be tough not to sweat. I sweat massively (when I'm not freezing) so just have to complain about it dripping into my eyes and being ready to be in a wet t-shirt contest at anytime that I am working outside :)
Posted by: bogie | July 23, 2017 at 07:42 AM
Oh, also complain because my face and neck break out with big, weepy zits from sweating. If I get nice dry air where sweat immediately evaporates (or it's cool enough not to sweat) they go away.
I'll take that over not sweating though!
Posted by: bogie | July 23, 2017 at 07:45 AM