This weekend's project aka What a mess I have to clean up!

10 years ago

I have so little time to work in the yard. Working 6days a week these last few yrs is taking a toll on me... and my garden! I didn't get this bed/area weeded out the last couple of yrs, and it's become a total nightmare! It's out in full sun all day, and uphill on the highest part of our property. The faucet up there doesn't have enough pressure to put out a good spray with the drip sprinklers, so I removed all that and stuck an oscillating sprinkler up there. I have to run the sprinkler for an hour every other day, and I'm afraid that's not even enough. I really need to throw some mulch and steer manure up there to try and retain more moisture. But first I have to yank out all the weeds!! I'm trying to get my husband to help me, but that's often like pulling teeth. We have 3 green waste cans and it's gonna fill all three. There's all sorts of dead foxtail grass, small walnut tree and oak seedlings, and then there's that dreaded VETCH! OMG. I had no idea it was going to spread like wildfire this yr from the little patch that was there last yr. It engulfed the entire area.

These pics show the mess as it is at this moment, but you should've seen it a couple months ago before I tore out a bunch of the upper layer when it was still green and lush. Now it's all dead and gone to seed, so next yr it'll come back with a vengeance! Auggghhhh!! This used to be one of the prettiest areas of my yard. But the roses don't bloom like they should and it's my fault. I just don't have the time or energy to do all this. I have to try and keep up with it as best I can. I don't want to lose any of the roses. And this is just one area of the yard. I have many other beds that I haven't cleaned out in a long time. It's sad how carried away I got over the yrs. Rose addiction/collecting can become overwhelming!

South side towards the street (MARILYN MONROE)
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West side above the driveway (TEMPIE LEE, JEAN DU TILLEUX, CHARLES DE GAULLE)
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Center bed
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Northest corner
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North side along the fence (JEAN DU TILLEUX, TEMPIE LEE)
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Hmmm... I need to dig out a ton of irises too....

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Comments (18)

Kippy
10 years ago
if it helps, we plant vetch to fix nitrogen for the tomatoes...
buford
10 years ago
Ugh, vetch. I didn't have any until a few years ago. Now it's all over. I have tried to pull them up before they seed, but I did find some with seed pods open when pruning one of the beds :(

I can sympathize with trying to garden on a hill. Not fun. Just do a little each day and it will get done.
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mzstitch
10 years ago
Get your mulch/steer manure and work a section at a time. Weed that section then mulch before moving on to the next section. You will reward yourself by being able to see the difference, and it will give you the incentive to keep going!!
diane_nj 6b/7a
10 years ago
I've always wondered what Casa Beth looked like! You have company on the EC, I have an arugula patch to remove from my main bed along with the ever-present demon vinca. The compost bins will beoverflowing.

Good luck Ms. Beth, I'm rooting for you!
lesmc
10 years ago
I`m rooting for you,too Beth. It might seem overwhelming, but be patient with yourself. You will slowly get this work done. You grow some beautiful and unusual roses. If you begin to feel you can no longer handle it all, give some away. There are rose lovers out there that would enjoy your extra roses. Just a thought. I so enjoy seeing your roses. Chin up!!!! Lesley
susan4952
10 years ago
Beth, you have such beautiful unusual roses. I have faith you will get this done. It will be beautiful. If not, take the time off to advise others.
seil zone 6b MI
10 years ago
BIG job! If you aren't opposed to it you might want to use some Preen after you clean it out so those seeds won't germinate. It shouldn't hurt anything that's already growing, just prevent the seeds from coming up. Just a thought. Be sure to post some pics when you get it cleared.
bethnorcal9
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for all the encouraging words everybody! It's just so frustrating knowing what beautiful roses I have out there that are engulfed in a big mess of weeds. Then I have other beds that are even worse in other ways. One whole area is engulfed in Bermuda grass that's so out of hand, it's over 3ft tall!! Then there's several beds that are overrun with Centranthus Rubra. Don't ever plant that stuff! One or two plants have spawned growth over about 1/3 of the lower beds! And you can't pull it out with the root, most of the time. Scary. Then there's hypericum, my neighbor's ivy, and now her vinca is coming over too. Aaacckkk! It never ends.

Mzstitch, I do plan to work a section at a time like you said. Mulch as I get done with an area. And I do know there will be a huge difference once that gets done. (Hopefully my husband will come out and help me on Sat & Sun...)

Lesley, I'm sure sometime in the not-so-far future I will have to begin giving away some of the roses to make things easier. Not looking forward to doing that tho.

Seil, I think I probably will try the Preen to see if I can keep that darn vetch from getting any worse next yr!!
Kippy
10 years ago
My weeding secret. Water the area good the day before you plan on weeding. So much easier to dig the stuff out
bethnorcal9
Original Author
10 years ago
Kippy you're sooo right!
buford
10 years ago
Yes, we've had lots of raind, and it does enable more weeds grow, but it's easier to pull them up.

You can use grass be gone on the bermuda. I had to resort to using that for some bermuda that invaded my rose bed. It worked great.
roseblush1
10 years ago
Beth..........

You have my greatest sympathies. Gardening on multiple levels has felt totally impossible from the beginning. When I am working on one level, the weeds are thriving on the other levels. Argggggggh.

Hauling mulch up from the street level to the gardening levels is hard labor, too. I thought it was my time management that was the problem. The problem is that it is incredibly difficult for one person to manage all of that work. Then add the heat we both experience and it just gets overwhelming.

I did check with the lady who runs our local garden center and she did say that Preen will not harm the roses. I may not like using chemicals to control weeds, but I have had to give up and use some.

You have so many beautiful roses, I know this must be very distressing for you. All you can do is keep at it one day at a time.

Smiles,
Lyn
TNY78
10 years ago
oh gosh!! Ok I feel better now! I thought I was the only one having weed issues this year. Our winter and spring as just been so wet and damp that the weeds are spreading like wild fire! I don't even know what half of them are, but one of them keeps making me break out in hives everytime I weed...I just can't pinpoint which one!

Good luck, Beth! I feel your pain!

Tammy
melissa_thefarm
10 years ago
Wow, your garden looks like my garden!
I have some areas that are so weed-grown I can even face them, and I DON'T work six days a week. I think parts of the garden got out of hand this year because we went from months of snow to months of rain to heat heat heat. I couldn't get out enough to stay caught up.
I don't have any solutions, but am sure you'll survive. One does have these moments of dismay. Somehow you'll get your garden back into shape. Hang in there, and you'll be all right.
Good luck!
Melissa
joshtx
10 years ago
Oh Beth, I wish I could help you! If I could, I would be more than happy to lend an extra pair of hands and knees! Best of luck to you!
socks
10 years ago
I had to do a search for vetch. I don't think I have it in my garden but have enough other stuff.

Working a 6-day week would take a toll on anyone! You walk a fine line between doing the things you want to do in your free time and resting up for the next 6-day week. It must trouble you so much to see the weeds.

Is there any chance you could get a high schooler to help? There are lots of kids out of school now.
nanadollZ7 SWIdaho
10 years ago
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Preen is made out of corn gluten. It's not a chemical. Diane
kentucky_rose zone 6
10 years ago
Treat yourself and hire some extra help even if it's just for a day. This can be an early birthday, anniversary, Christmas, etc. gift. Good luck!

This weekend's project aka What a mess I have to clean up!

Comments (18)

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This weekend's project aka What a mess I have to clean up!

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