Yesterday was such a gorgeous day. I was in heaven outside in the garden, digging and cutting, trimming and clipping. I washed half of my front steps and about a third of my elevated terrace. At the end I stood back and admired everything. It all looked pretty much the same though! This property is going to take a lot of work to get in shape. No one has cared for it in over thirty five years. The family had someone come by and cut the grass once a month and trim some hedges but that was about it. We're left to start from scratch.
I'm debating whether to do my little potager this year or not. I still haven't decided. I really want to do it but there's so much work out there I think I'll be buried in weeds anyway. Maybe I'll just do some tomatoes and a zuchini plant. I'll definitely do an herb garden though. Last year in Mexico was my first year without an herb garden and I really missed it. And this year I have the climate, the soil and the room for it. I can actually garden in real soil and not just pots!
My in-laws are coming for one day in a few weeks and I really want to have things looking nice. The last time they saw the house was when we first moved in and had all the po's crap furniture in the house. They won't say anything anyway so I don't know why I care but I do. I just hope deep down inside somewhere they can appreciate our hard work,
...somewhere.
4 comments:
Just one day? How far is it for them to travel? I hope it goes smoothly.
That is annoying about them never complimenting anything, but at some point you just have to shrug and let it go. My FIL is the same way. It gets to my husband but I don't really mind it so much. I figure as long as I like things they way they are, he can think whatever he wants and keep it to himself!
Practical question: Could you please post herb garden tips? I did a vegetable garden last year and tried herbs in vases, but it was a disaster. Nothing grew except a little parsley, and not enough for us to use regularly.
Actually I really think it's just that they only see the bad stuff in any situation. I notice that when they talk about anything except the grandkids.
Hmm, I've only grown herbs in pots before but everything worked best when pushed out into full sun, especially basil. I water about every other day or every day in full on hot summer weather. I also prune back alot so they get nice and bushy. I usually grow the basics: basil, mint, chives, parsley and lemon verbena. Did you put a lot of rocks in the bottoms of your pots for extra good drainage?
It's hard to do all that work and then not have anyone acknowledge it. I just spent two weeks cooking for my mother and the only time that she thanked me for a meal and said it was really good was the day that I heated up a dish from Picard that she had requested. Argh! I spent a good deal of time questioning, "Why did I bother?" but the ultimate answer was because we needed to eat and Joe and I enjoyed it at least.
As for herbs -- depending on your climate -- rosemary, thyme and sage are also really easy. You can almost ignore them after planting.
Good luck. My last visit with MIL went rather poorly. Yesterday was my son's birthday and she didn't call. I am trying to understand but failing. I hope this visit is a bit more peaceful for you.
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