One Good Thing About Rain - Firewood

Over the weekend a large white oak fell over the main road leading in. Considering I have exhausted much of the easier accessible dead wood laying around, it looked like a good time build up the inventory. Plenty around for a few months. I won't be using as much anyway this winter as the little wood stove can't keep temps above 70 when outdoor temps stay low. It's good for days that may only be in the 40's and 50's.

That could be the next few days too! I was asked this morning if I wanted to drive to Florida. Sorry.

The whole neighborhood probably wanted a piece of the action with this old timer that fell. In fact when the first cut piece went into the back of the truck a neighbor stopped. Naturally he wanted some of the action. I hesitated then asked if he lived in the area. "Yep, up the hill..." He got a half dozen pieces; said he's be back the next day. I did leave some for him but he was a no show this morning.

Good thing most have jobs otherwise it would be gone.

Winter exercise.

WT...What the heck...is It?

I rarely see this kind of view these days including this morning as the rain is pounding. Still trying to save the lawn and more important the top soil. Made it in time at 4AM to cover it. I timed it right..finally! There's actually some grass coming up here and there. It seems this seed has a slower germination compared to the other stuff I've used. It's about ten days for this area.

And a sunny day allows for some fall foliage views...

Actually time for some planting stuff. The Hostas that were against the front of the house have been moved down near the creek. They get beaten up (brown tattered leaves) by the stone on the foundation. Let's see how they fare down there.

Bulb planting time...or is that a root?

Lawn Gone - Gully Washer

Maybe... hard to tell. Had I got my ass out of bed 15 minutes sooner at 4AM to cover most of the lawn it would have looked better. Much of the topsoil is gone except in the middle. Considering sand is still there maybe the seed had a chance to root?

Rainfall total: 1.25 inches.

What to do? I still have a bunch of seed leftover. Throw it on and hope for the best?

It Always Looks Like A Construction Zone

...and I didn't include any pics from the west side of the house. It's a mess anyway. Weather crappy, not in the mood to do much after completing the lawn redo. A few new seedlings here and there. By the weekend there should be some noticeable effects..I hope.

My Dianthems are getting greener and a little bushy. Five died when the ten inch deluge a few weeks ago took them out. Blue Star Creeper moving along nicely.

I commented on how well my Mexican Heather was doing a few days ago. I saw this the next morning. No warning either. Grrrrrr. I thought it was a perennial. After all it's a woody plant. The Azaleas have not been touched. Prior to the buzz cut, the Heather was probably three times larger

Oh well, mother knows best. Mulching time nears. Still plenty down the road.

I love these white Impatiens, and this particular plant has grown crazy the last few months.

And this crazy plant that's been doing nothing all year longs decides to bloom. Pineapple Sage in the background(tallest plant). Mums from last year and some Pansies and whatchamacallits.

Vines beginning to lose their luster. Cold weather is knocking for sure.

Flagstone pathway going slow.

New Orange mums almost bit the dust in this area. Too much water puddles when it rains hard. Probably need to drill a few holes in the wall for drainage. Purple ones doing okay. I understand all are planned for transplant to the other side of the house. When is not known.

Wanna See That Lawn Again?

I do not need a gully washer! By the time this reseed project is done there will be about four cubic yards of compost/topsoil at 1/4 inch. My six cubic foot wheel barrel, purchased two years ago is showing more signs of wear as the bearings are noisy when pushing heavy loads. I've already had to replace the bolts that hold the bucket on the frame.

This area should look sharp in 3-4 weeks with a good crop of existing grass mixed with new seed. With the existing grass cut to one inch, now you may understand why it needed more seed. Hopefully the creeping Fescue in the mix will keep it filled in. There's actually several types in this Deep Shade seed variety.

I don't expect the rest of the lawn to look great before the growing season ends, but who knows. The low areas that were filled may not come through looking the same.

And the drainage pipe for the roof runoff (below). More friggin roots! I thought I'd seen enough of them. Plenty of leaves falling that will present problems. New seedlings don't like to be trampled on and I'll need to get the leaves off the lawn. Otherwise if they get wet (morning dew) it's a pain to get them up without raking. They can also trap and kill the new growth. The blower only works well at 15 feet maximum. Beyond that, the lawn has to be walked on.

I have a solution! A revolutionary product you may see at a garden center near you in the future! How much demand for the idea is the question. But people love gadgets, eh?