The secret of garden maintenance is to do it constantly. If you neglect the garden for a few weeks and then try to catch up, you'll be fighting a losing battle. Get the yard cleaned up and keep it that way by spending a few minutes each day in it.

I'm fortunate that I work from home, so I get out to the garden all day long, every day. But if you have a real job (heh!) then your time will be limited. Try to do some gardening in the morning before you go to work or when you come home. Just pulling a few weeds, trimming an errant branch, or dumping a few bags of mulch won't take more than 10 or 15 minutes. But if you can do this every day, it will add up to hours and slowly your garden will get cleaned up.

Once you reach that state, your daily delibrations in the yard will be a snap.

I feel your pain.
I agree with Ricky. A little at a time and then you won't feel overwhelmed.
Here's my suggestion....one day grab your clippers and wheelbarrow and take a walk around your yard. Cut back anything that seems out of place. Next day, put on gloves, concentrate on one area and pull those weeds. Maybe stop by HD, buy an expensive flat of plants, some Miracle-Gro Moisture Control soil and some mulch and plant your beautiful new plants where those weeds once were. Your eyesore has been suddenly transformed and you'll be proud of yourself.
Little by little, the yard will surprise you and lift your spirits. I would tackle any jobs in the morning if possible, or anytime after a nice rainfall (weeds pull out so much easier then). Of course beware of lightning.
I also wanted to mention and I'm sure I'm not alone when I say this, I'm sure many folks here are posting photos of their most healthiest of plants and in areas of their yard that they are most proud of. I'm sure many of us will admit to neglected areas that our cameras will NEVER visit. I mean, is every room in your house ready for the cameramen from Architectural Digest?
A little at a time. I'm sure others will have their own suggestions.
Sue

I'm lucky I'm able to work part time and try to go out at least 1 day from 8-12 to do projects. It about knocks me out for a few days. Unfortunately I succomb to Garden ADD and stop to do little things on the way to The project.
I'm working on that.
I used to feel overwhelmed but that's not the point of a garden. If it's a chore, it's not fun. I try to tackle one part at a time. Maybe that's why I love tropicals-it looks good as a jungle. My butterfly garden is a mass of plants, but the butterflies love it. If it's not fun, downsize! Do what you can manage and enjoy. If it's container gardening and mowing the lawn, so be it. Make it yours! Who cares what other gardens look like. I'd like to look like Heidi Klum, but I gotta work with what I got.(but I digress)
Oh...and to heck with the house...but that's just me :)

Ok I think we need the ten commandments for gardeners.
1- Thou shalt NOT lust ater thine neighbors garden!
But be ye happy for those who have a terrific garden and use that as inspiration to go out and work in yours. Personally I would rather work in my garden any day.Who cares about the house?I just saw Katkins pics and thought WOW I am so happy for her, I guess I need to go mulch.
Attitude. Everyone has different resposibilities and garden gifts. You do what you can with yours and be happy you are not in a condo with no yard. SMILE,you have lots of garden friends!

JYG, don't feel so bad.
I sympathize with your situation; It can be hard to keep a house straight and try and make a beautiful garden with no help.

What fawnridge has said is absolutely true. Try to do a little bit every day. Also, if you can take some long-term preventative measures against weeds and such, that will help with the need for constant maintenance. Lay down some mulch or create barriers so that the weeds stay out and your cultivated plants stay nice.

Although I know this won't work for everyone... my secret is to garden at night. Everything in the house is settled right about sundown, so I go out and work in the garden for a couple of hours most nights. It's cool and I can get more done without getting fatigued. Just need a flashlight sometimes :)

Suegrew,,,why did you go and spoil our secret. Now people know our gardens have ugly areas,dead plants, wayward limbs and such that the camera isnt showing.
Maybe a post on the UGLY areas of our garden

Excellent point goldenpond. Pity those apartment/condo dwellers that have no say as to what grows beneath them.
Your garden is your palette. You are in charge.
Good luck,
Sue

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch. It really does help. Also a long handled fork or hoe to dig loose the small weeds. They don't always need to be pulled out especially in this heat. Suegrew is right no one shows pictures of the ugly spots. I try to get to the weeds going to seed first, and just hoe the others. If you see them coming back hoe them again. Clean out one bed at a time, then keep it clean. Run thought it with the hoe and move on to another bed. Keep going to the clean out beds first. Plant as close as you can and mulch.

BTW, who cleans house? lol I want to play outside.

Junkyardgirl, it's hard not to feel stressed sometimes when you realize that you have large areas that don't look like they should, or that your garden isn't going to be featured in the latest issue of your favorite garden mag. But honestly, I don't believe anyone's yard is picture perfect every day of the year, with no pot ghettoes anywhere, or no bed that doesn't need work. Even among the most dedicated, there is always something that needs doing.

The trick is not to get discouraged about it. I can't work in my yard every day. I know that's the sensible way to do it, but frankly, the heat bothers me to such an extent that from now until cooler weather, I will be doing only the most minimal of chores. That's it. Yep, the garden will suffer, but it can't be helped. If I can just keep things alive until I can get out there again, I'll be happy.

Think of it this way...the garden is a living entity and will always be changing, evolving, growing, and yes, dying. Plants don't live forever. (Unless they are weeds.) And it will always be in a state of flux. Not like a living room, say, where once you have it all painted, furnished and arranged to your liking, you are done (until you decide you want a new look). You are never done in a garden, and that needs to be something you are okay with.

If you can do a bit every day, that's a great philosophy. If you can't, just trust that it will get done when you are ready and able to do it. Frankly, if I worked at a REAL job, I probably wouldn't even try to garden. I know I would not have enough energy left at the end of the day to do anything, and I certainly would not be able to go outside and do stuff BEFORE work. And weekends go by so fast...how could I cram in gardening with family, friends, laundry, and other chores? I congratulate you that you are able to do anything at ALL in the yard, under those conditions.

Just think of your yard as a work in progress, and do what you can, when you can, and learn to love it, warts and all. Me, I'm becoming quite attached to the honkin' big pile of logs under the tattered blue tarp that has been in the center of my backyard since Hurricane Charley. Why, I'm almost gonna miss it when Mark finally gets the woodrack built and the logs all loaded up. A regular ol' bed of tropical plants in that spot just won't have the same cachet!

Hang in there!

Marcia

JYG ~ I know exactly where you are coming from. I did not compare my gardens to others until I got a computer and saw what other gardeners have created. That can be totally depressing, if we let it.

I was just out early this morning walking through my gardens and couldn't believe all the growth from all the rain that we've had. Paths are overgrown, weeds are all over, vines are creeping and winding everywhere, but flowers are also blooming. I definitely have some 'ugly' areas that my camera does not capture for anyone to see. Too embarassing. DH and I are working on clearing up our back and organizing things better.

I work part-time, DH doesn't help with gardening unless it's something I can't handle these days, because it's too heavy or awkward. He does build things, etc. and will mow if I can't for some reason. I've always loved gardening, even if it is work. The beauty created makes me feel good. Like people have said before me here, doing a little each day when you can will make a difference.

I agree with some of the ladies too, I'd rather be outside gardening than working inside. I did vacuum and dust yesterday, the kitchen is cleaned up and the bed is made. Today is one of my work days, Fri and Sat I'll be working also.

The heat really gets to me also, so I try to do outside work early, like between 7-10, even then, once the sun starts blasting away, and my clothes become soaked, it's time to think about quitting so that I don't have heat stroke. Be sure to drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated. Take breaks too and sit in some shade. Being in the shade makes a difference.

Each day is new, so let's do what we can with a smile on our face and joy in our hearts for having yet another day to count our blessings.

Hang in there, do a little each day and before you know it your whole yard will be looking much better, and your heart will be lighter.

Hugs ~ FlowerLady

JYG,We are all in the same boat. We do what we can and
what makes me happy. I garden for enjoyment. I refuse to become enslaved to gardening.
Reading the posts and seeing the pictures inspires me to labor in the garden.
One thing that bothers me is to see beautiful areas of blooms
filled with weeds. So what I do now is when I see an area getting ready to put on a show,I concentrate in weeding in that area. Some weeds are even pretty.
Here is a picture of our back field. I think it is a beautiful flowering weed next to an old tire. I have removed
the tire that the former owners left but I think you can find beauty here.

Felix that is a wonderful picture. I'd love to know what that sweet flowering weed is. I love it. It looks very cottagey.

FlowerLady

Flowerlady,I do not know what weed it is but it attracts
bees. They flower in the spring and I really like them.
Felix

I get energized by visiting other people's gardens . Today I was lucky enough to tour ill-mannered-ache's magnificent gardens . I was so inspired that I returned home and worked for four solid hours in my yard .
I am care taker of another piece of property and find myself continuing garden work even when I return home . I seem to get in a garden groove and just go with it . Some days I do very little and others I go gang busters .
Just as everyone else suggested - a weed dug up here - a branch trimmed there and things stay under some control . If you don't have weeds in your garden then you need to get a life !! No work of art is ever perfect !

I have the ugly post started Get posting

you have to pick your house or your yard, and I usually go for the yard...my house looks like h*ll but I'd much rather be outside.

But even though it's something I put as a high priority, it still looks overgrown in many areas and it never looks neat and tidy,really. But I love being out there and that's really what matters most...I see those little areas that I love and it makes the crappy ones sink into the background.

teeka

That's it, exactly, Teeka. When I go out and see the beds I've managed to work on looking good, I just ignore the stuff that isn't done yet, and enjoy what IS. And I feel really good about THAT part of the yard. It's enough to keep me going and to prevent me from getting TOO down about it. The rest will get taken care of bit by bit, here and there, one way or the other.

Junkyardgirl, one thing to consider is to begin planting things that are very low maintenance. If the bulk of your yard is stuff that doesn't require much care, you can devote smaller areas or even containers here and there to the things that might be more temperamental. Then you can concentrate on keeping them looking good while the other portions take care of themselves.

Just a thought!

Marcia

I agree. With the rain the weeds are starting to get ahead again. I hate to use ROundup but I'll have to. What worries me is what's going to happen when I get too old to work in the garden and I don't want to move.
Barb

I do have a 'real' job and at first I was reading all your posts and feeling sorry for myself because I have so little time to spend in the garden. But then I started feeling kind of proud for being able to have the garden AND a full time job! (And a DH who seems to think touching a weed will result in a horrible disfiguring disease.) I have weeds (lots of big, tall, scary ones) and beds that look abandoned. I hate it but then I clean up one little area and suddenly I love it all again, even the ugly spots.

Do what you can, have good intentions about the rest, don't beat yourself up, and delight in every blossom or tiny pretty scene. Most gardeners really can't get into their garden every day or are willing to garden in the dark, so don't feel bad if you can't/won't/don't.

Kate

I got so caught up in my response that I didn't really answer your question:

I know most of you have spouses to help, but for those who don't, and who work full time, how do you do it? If I spend time in the yard, my house goes to he!! and if I spend time in the house, my yard goes to he!!.

• I do work full time and I'm very involved with my job, often doing work on the computer in the evenings after I get home.

• I do not have a spouse that helps in the yard. He hates being out there himself but he does understand that it's important to me. He understands that I need to spend at least a couple hours each weekend working in the garden.

• I'm a terrible housekeeper! If I'm not gardening, then I'm making jewelry, quilting, messin' around on GardenWeb, reading, playing with the animals or just being lazy. I've learned to accept that I'm a bad housekeeping and it rarely bothers me anymore. Sad but true. I can't afford a housecleaning service and if I could I would probably opt to spend that money on plants anyway!

• I have 2 dogs and 3 cats. They need attention everyday and they need it more than my garden does. When I get home from work, they get my full attention. They are probably the main reason I don't garden during the week.

• DH travels quite a bit for his job, so when he's home, he gets my attention too!

• Sometimes both the yard and the house go to he!!. Oh we!!, I can live with that.

Kate, I applaud you for your priorities, and frankly, I'm there with you on much of what you said, even though I don't have a "REAL" job. Sometimes I'm ahead of the game and things (inside and out) look pretty good, but rarely at the same time. And sometimes I'm behind, and neither looks good. But given the choice, I'll play in the yard rather than work in the house any day. I don't really care that much any more if the beds are made or the dishes done. Of course, it means I go into Blind Panic Mode when anyone is coming over, but even that is less severe than it used to be. It isn't worth it.

I say do what makes you feel good, and forget about the rest. Or at least, move it way down on the list. If your time is limited, why spend it on something you don't really want to do? Life is short! Do the GOOD stuff first, and do the rest when you can.

Marcia

I agree 'life is short'. Marcia I also go running around like crazy if I know someone is coming. : -) I am fortunate DH is not one of those husbands who goes around checking baseboards, tops of cupboards, etc. He tells me I worry about not keeping up with 'homecaring' more than he does.

This morning after breakfast, I went out and weedwacked, then mowed. Yikes it is absolutely miserable out there today. I have dishes to wash from last night and will get in there next. The bed is unmade and probably won't get made as we will go in and take a nap after lunch.

I just went out and took some pictures of my overgrown, messy gardens. Neat and orderly they are not, and right now they are mostly green.

I also wonder how I will be able to handle all of this the older I get. I don't want any more gardens, I want to enjoy what I have and not get too bogged down.

FlowerLady

My yard gets full sun ALL day no tree's just dry burnt brown grass patches .
I recently bought the house and the yard is like the Sahara desert . If I could figure out how to post a pic I would.
I work full time also but use weed kill with that grass enhancer all in one combo and now due to the rains its picking up but its like a field of brown burnt grass .
Just work on it couple hours on weekend. The key is the proper tools.

This is an interesting post. Marcia I agree with you "I say do what makes you feel good, and forget about the rest." I think we(myself included) need to get away from the idea that everything has to be perfect. If you have time for it all and your house and gardens are perfect, that is great. But we don't all have to strive for that.

I think the perfect yard idea started in the 50's when they came out with chemicals to kill dandelions. The idea was created to sell chemicals. Before that we were all happy with clover and dandelions in our yards. When I see a yard with clover and dandelions, it reminds me of when I was a kid growing up. Life was simpler and we had time to relax. To me how a garden feels is as important as how it looks.

We take ownership of our gardens but I feel they have a life and energy of their own. They are tied to the land they are on and to the birds, butterflies, animals, plants, and trees that make their home there. The best gardens to me are ones that blend in with their surroundings.

So what I am saying is, to me, all gardens are beautiful - the neat and tidy ones, and the ones that are more relaxed. What a boring place it would be if we all had the same style of gardening.

Atreelady ~ *all gardens are beautiful - the neat and tidy ones, and the ones that are more relaxed. What a boring place it would be if we all had the same style of gardening.* Oh so true.

FlowerLady

You all have pretty much said it all. Except, instead of the pets I have 4 kids. And I am constanlty picking up after them.
And I don't have a real/paid job. But I am a stay at home mom and I home school 2 of my kids so I do stay quite busy.

And my husband does nothing in the yard. Which I must admit drives me bonkers sometimes.

Kudos to any of you that can keep your garden OR your house maintained much less both. I am guessing that in 14 years when my youngest has graduated high school that my house might be a bit cleaner. And by then some of the twigs/trees I have planted will be mature and I will have some shade.

Posted by ariel73 z9FL (My Page) on Fri, Jun 27, 08 at 8:53

You all have pretty much said it all. Except, instead of the pets I have 4 kids. And I am constanlty picking up after them.
And I don't have a real/paid job. But I am a stay at home mom and I home school 2 of my kids so I do stay quite busy.
And my husband does nothing in the yard. Which I must admit drives me bonkers sometimes.
-------
Thats because he doesnt care about the yard which is normal none of my friends from NY (recently moved to Florida) could care less about a yard . They would have cemented over the whole thing which I find sickening lol.
Lots of men dont care about yard dont see it as impt your husband is normal . Tell you the truth I wish I was like that instead of worrying if its going to rain tonight as my lawn badly needs it.