Sticky Dandelions: It's just the Beginning

It's May and I've already gotten a late start, but perhaps, just perhaps my garden will grow. I love gardening, and I have since my mother taught me years and more years ago. I began as a child weeding for chores, then slowly it became a time when Marmy and I got to be together making beautiful things grow. A time of connection, creativity and many times experimentation.

Now I am older and trying my hand at the not-as-fertile soil in my backyard. We just moved in and it has become my project to make this yard into what it was meant to be, and not the weed fest it has become. I truly do not understand the disconnect in the opinion that a yard can simply be left alone and not cared for, and that it doesn't matter. Not only will it up the value of your property, but it also brings a sense of success to the soul to see good work turn chaos into order, sometimes fragrant order!

Let me tell of my yard. It is quite normal, a few quirks but nothing I can't handle...I hope. One never knows what adventures await in hidden corners. Overall it looks like this:

Now, don't be fooled. This yard did not look anything like this before we began. The lawn was a disorderly, disheveled mess of weeds, dandelions, and crab grass. This mess had crept its way into the garden area you see in the back. It took three days, about two hours a day to get that cleaned up. You see that it still needs lots of love and care.

There along the fence line are a few rose bushes and some vines. I have never cared for roses, so this will be a new and interesting challenge. They are a bit overgrown so I am taking some amateur initiative and trimming them...I will keep you posted...literally. Close up they look like this:

Quite bushy yes? Yes. Something will need to be done.

I also have another corner of the yard that has peaked my interest. I will need to contemplate its potential. It has much to be desired, but definitely possibilities! Take a look:

So, I have shown the back yard and its many qualities. Now let's move to the front. The front yard is mostly driveway but there are a few options that have been neglected. Such as:

This is one side of the driveway. You can see that I have already begun some serious work. This was a forest of grass weed and old snail shells. (and a weird red worm bug that I didn't recognize...scary!) I pulled the weeds out, used rocks I found in the dirt and created a little flower bed. I have some serious plans for this side including more bark, flat stones, petunias, and strawberries!

The other side of the driveway is a little more...unchangeable. The sidewalk, some vines, and a lone tree adorns this side and grass covers the rest. The two cement blocks are a nice additions. See below: