This rose bush planted under a willow oak tree...I don't know how it even bloomed this year. The tree saps all the nutrients and moisture from the soil. The ground around the rose was dry, grey, and hard packed, like the driveway. Watering the rose was useless. The water ran off and down the hill. I went to my supply of stuff I save, in case I ever need it, and dug out these metal fence pieces. After fitting the fence around the bed, I lined the inside with old pieces of logs. Logs rot and stick to the ground and keeps the water from running off. I then added a couple of scoops of compost from the compost bin. Then I went to the edge of the woods where I dump leaves and raked up 2 wheelbarrow loads of rotted leaves and mulch and added to the bed, then watered it good to pack it all down...
This mulch is about 4 inches thick. The reason for the fence...THE CHICKENS!!! This mulch would last about 5 minutes without the fence!!! I was just finishing up when the first chicken walked up. She went right through the fence and started to scratch!!! I went to the sewing room and got all the dark colored cord I could find. I wove the cord in and out around the fence to make the openings smaller . It hardly shows and works great!! Can't you just imagine how good this rose feels. It's thirsty roots soaking up water and nutrients!!!
Next I went to another small bed where the soil looked like cement. There has been a clematis vine trying to grow here for 2 years. I cut pieces of poultry netting to fit around the box. Again I added compost and mulch. This may eventually turn out to be pretty...There is a red bird feeder and hanging basket also on this post...
Note: Clematis do best growing in the sun but with their roots shaded...
Anyway, my two good deeds for the day!!! The hen trying to figure out why she can't get to the mulch. No matter where I'm working in the yard, the animals hang around with me...I enjoy it though!! The Guineas...
By the way...This is the big willow oak the rose is planted under...to the right...
You all have seen enough of this big boy, I'm sure!!! He is such sweetie pie and likes the camera. I told him I would post one more picture!!! :)
Dear Henny Penny~
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh! That is certainly a handsome rooster you have there. My Grammy used to have a sign in her kitchen that read, "The rooster may crow, but the hen delivers the goods." It made me chuckle.
The guineas are interesting. I didn't realize they were so large.
Love your contemplation of how good that rose must feel. :)
I actually got to work in my flower beds for several hours today. *So Happy* Strawberry shortcake too, it's been a wonderful day.
Love,
Jen
P.S. Your rose bush w/brick and cord are just brilliant. An artistic soul, you are, you are!
Dear Jen,
DeleteThank you. I do enjoy your comments!! I like your Grammy's sign. It's kinda like the one in the side bar about the rooster being a bragging jerk!! Glad you've been out in the flowers. I need to be out in the garden doing some work this morning! I'm always glad to hear from you!!
Love,
Henny Penny
Good Day Henny, sorry I am behind on catching up with you! You are working rings around us all, I'm afraid. Look at all those cuttings! Wow! I love the pictures of your guineas and the beautiful rooster, he is a big boy. Miss having my guineas, they are so smart. I just love the blog, it gives me so much peace to look at and see the wonderful place you have there. I know that sounds kind of strange, but it gives me ideas on what to do with my small space of a garden. I decide to make a compost pile finally and it will sure help me out. Maybe someday I will get to live somewhere like you have, but if not, it is a joy to see yours! Take care and have a great week in the garden, XO, Terry
ReplyDeleteDear Terry,
DeleteWhat a nice comment! Thank you so much! We love the guineas too. They're smart and they warn the other animals of danger. Our only problem is keeping them alive. We had 24 a couple of years ago and now we're down to 3. The females lay eggs in nests in the most dangerous places in the woods, and guineas love to roam, don't they?? A compost bin sure does help...ours has almost turned into a worm bed!!! I guess that's a good thing, but I get more earthworms than compost when I try to get the compost!! You have a good week too, Terry, and thanks again for the nice compliment! You make me want to keep trying with this blog!!
Love,
Henny Penny