My Brilliant Idea

Dear friends,

Let me apologize for making my "brilliant idea"  sound like, well, a brilliant idea when really it's not that great. Sorry for keeping you in suspense. 

So, here's that brilliant idea... 😌

There are three cedar trees, all the same size, growing side by side at the edge of the pond just behind the dam. 

These trees have the woods behind them and the wide open pond area in front, causing the limbs to grow straight out across the dam reaching toward the sun.

We are constantly having to cut these cedar limbs so we can mow the dam and walk without having to duck under them.

So we decided, once the weather cools off, we will cut down all three trees. That's when the idea hit me! 

A GRAPE ARBOR!

We have tried for years to grow grapes, and other fruits too. Years ago we set out a row of Muscadine vines at the edge of the yard, along the path to the chicken lot...

The vines grew and grew and covered the fence...

Oh, I loved how the vines created a covered pathway, but every year we got only a handful of puny little grapes. You can probably guess the reason why.  NOT ENOUGH SUN!

So, very sadly, I pulled all this down; vines, posts, wire, everything!

From the kitchen window we could see the little red chicken house again, and we could see clearly all the way to the woods. It's was amazing...

The new arbor will be built on these three cedar trees, with lots of sunshine!

I've cut off most the limbs. Now Poppy needs to cut off the tops with the chainsaw. Then add the wire and plant the vines. That's it!

I felt like a murderer chopping down those old grapevines but, from those old vines, I have rooted several new grapevines in pots. I have given some away and sold some at craft events and still have plenty left.

Also felt like a murderer chopping on the cedar trees, but at least we will put them to good use. 

I worked on this spot for an hour this morning, cleaning and clearing from around the trees.

Thank you for putting up with my nonsense. 

Love,
Henny

A little note to Pilar...you asked about the Rose of Sharon. Well the deer will not leave them alone. The little bushes try hard to bloom but the deer keep eating the leaves off. I have decided to replace each Rose of Sharon with a Beauty Berry bush.  Have done four or five so far. Will post a picture soon. Thank you Pilar.

A little note also to Linda and Carla about the new home for the lilies. Well, I'm thinking about it. I've put a few in the back flower bed with the iris, and I am digging a new bed along the path in back. Thank you. :)