Dachia

While we have been getting a decent amount of rain this Spring, it is unusual. I have 67 baby lilacs out on the fence line and another 75 or so in the front yard. I wanted a simpler way to get them water that didn't take so much time. I figured out what the system would look like and made a list of supplies needed. Ordered everything and waited. I did the horse pasture first and the front yard the next day. The entire process took about 4 hours, but that included breaks. I sped up the process. You're welcome. This is just a video of what I'm doing to create my perfect refuge. It's not easy to create a perfect refuge... but it is worth the effort. And once you start puttering in YOUR yard, you might start to really enjoy the work. I am NOT an expert in growing stuff... not yet. Since I am spending a lot of time just figuring out what can grow here and when to plant and how much water it needs, what is drought tolerant what likes full sun vs mostly shade, I thought I’d invite other Black Hills friends to join me. The Black Hills are mostly a mix of zones 4 and 5. It’s also a somewhat dry region. Finding the right things to plant here is ... shall we say 'challenging?" We can share ideas and support. And some commiseration over the inevitable failures. I don’t know much about plants or soils or zones etc. I just know what I like. My learning curve is pretty steep. I invite you to make the climb with me. We can create our perfect refuges together. https://blackhillslawnsandgardens.com/

I moved up a project's priority so we could get another project finished. Today's activity didn't 'finish' a project, but it is much closer. This is just a video of what I'm doing to create my perfect refuge. It's not easy to create a perfect refuge... but it is worth the effort. And once you start puttering in YOUR yard, you might start to really enjoy the work. I am NOT an expert in growing stuff... not yet. Since I am spending a lot of time just figuring out what can grow here and when to plant and how much water it needs, what is drought tolerant what likes full sun vs mostly shade, I thought I’d invite other Black Hills friends to join me. The Black Hills are mostly a mix of zones 4 and 5. It’s also a somewhat dry region. Finding the right things to plant here is ... shall we say 'challenging?" We can share ideas and support. And some commiseration over the inevitable failures. I don’t know much about plants or soils or zones etc. I just know what I like. My learning curve is pretty steep. I invite you to make the climb with me. We can create our perfect refuges together. https://blackhillslawnsandgardens.com/

I had a couple master gardeners out to the place. I learned a couple things that I want to share with you. I have a few new gorgeous hostas and I learned what Groot is. And he is not a crab apple tree. :) This is just a video of what I'm doing to create my perfect refuge. It's not easy to create a perfect refuge... but it is worth the effort. And once you start puttering in YOUR yard, you might start to really enjoy the work. I am NOT an expert in growing stuff... not yet. Since I am spending a lot of time just figuring out what can grow here and when to plant and how much water it needs, what is drought tolerant what likes full sun vs mostly shade, I thought I’d invite other Black Hills friends to join me. The Black Hills are mostly a mix of zones 4 and 5. It’s also a somewhat dry region. Finding the right things to plant here is ... shall we say 'challenging?" We can share ideas and support. And some commiseration over the inevitable failures. I don’t know much about plants or soils or zones etc. I just know what I like. My learning curve is pretty steep. I invite you to make the climb with me. We can create our perfect refuges together. https://blackhillslawnsandgardens.com/

I'm making progress. And bringing you along for the ride. The Hornet is still out of commission, so doing some push-mowing (sigh) and weeding. This is just a video of what I'm doing to create my perfect refuge. It's not easy to create a perfect refuge... but it is worth the effort. And once you start puttering in YOUR yard, you might start to really enjoy the work. I am NOT an expert in growing stuff... not yet. Since I am spending a lot of time just figuring out what can grow here and when to plant and how much water it needs, what is drought tolerant what likes full sun vs mostly shade, I thought I’d invite other Black Hills friends to join me. The Black Hills are mostly a mix of zones 4 and 5. It’s also a somewhat dry region. Finding the right things to plant here is ... shall we say 'challenging?" We can share ideas and support. And some commiseration over the inevitable failures. I don’t know much about plants or soils or zones etc. I just know what I like. My learning curve is pretty steep. I invite you to make the climb with me. We can create our perfect refuges together. https://blackhillslawnsandgardens.com/

Wow... I'm behind. But it was expected. I worked a LOT of hours last week and it rained... so there is a LOT of tall grass and weeds encroaching on my lilacs. Plus, you may remember that The Hornet (my John Deere lawn tractor) is incapacitated for the moment. Catching up on mowing will take a week or so. As you likely know, I try to record my adventures out here in the yard. Sharing what I learn about creating my Black Hills Refuge. It's rarely exciting... for you. Unless you love lilacs and hostas as much as I do. I am NOT an expert in growing stuff... not yet. Since I am spending a lot of time just figuring out what can grow here and when to plant and how much water it needs, what is drought tolerant what likes full sun vs mostly shade, I thought I’d invite other Black Hills friends to join me. The Black Hills are mostly a mix of zones 4 and 5. It’s also a somewhat dry region. Finding the right things to plant here is ... shall we say 'challenging?" We can share ideas and support. And some commiseration over the inevitable failures. I don’t know much about plants or soils or zones etc. I just know what I like. My learning curve is pretty steep. I invite you to make the climb with me. We can create our perfect refuges together. https://blackhillslawnsandgardens.com/

I have no idea if anybody would find this enjoyable. I find it very enjoyable to mow my place. But then I love this place. I was unable to finish the job because The Hornet ( John Deere lawn tractor) broke a belt. I ordered a couple belts (cuz this is not the first time we broke a belt) and a throttle (which had broken earlier) and then when those parts arrived, we discovered that the idler arm had a wonky hole, so I ordered another one. Another $53. :) Still worth it. So, I still haven't finished the mowing out there, and the idler arm was just replaced, but had an issue and ripped up a new belt. I had ordered 2... might order 2 more. So, there's nothing to learn from this video, other than mowing takes time... and old John Deere tractors are often worth every penny... and $100 or so in yearly maintenance and repairs. Just wanted to share that I've not been just sitting around.