Getting Something Done

Lest it seem that all I did was sit around counting birds today, I'll post some pictures of some of what I did in the yard. I finally got around to spreading some of the mulch that I got this summer. My goal is to smother the grass that is growing there and replace it with native grasses and wildflowers. Unfortunately, I noticed a few shoots of grass coming up through the thick layer of mulch even before I spread it around making it even less thick, but I still hope it puts a damper on the weeds.

Although I don't have a "before" picture handy, this is basically what I'm smothering in this section (Can you believe this was taken today--in February) :

Paydirt

I feel like I hit pay dirt--well mulch anyway. The road crew was out cutting overhanging branches along the road the other day. I stopped and asked them to leave some branches for me...I plan to add to my brush piles...or start a new one. I also am saving some more attractive branches to use as perches for the birds come bird feeding time.

Today they were working on the other side of the road, so I asked if they could dump the chipped branches in the yard. There are some wood chips, but also a lot of leaves and thin branches. I'm thrilled to have this and have already made a big dent in the pile.

I'm using this to smother some invasives and to build up a rich woodsy soil as the thick layers I've put down decay.

I still feel like I made quite a dent in the pile, but comparing the two, it doesn't look like I did that much. I felt like a kid again hauling and laying mulch (I did a lot of that at my parents house...using the wood chips for paths and shredded bark around the landscaping. Eventually there was a thick layer of deep rich soil.) So, it brought back memories...and I felt like a kid again...until I came in and started feeling pretty sore! Oh well, it still feels GOOD!