Yesterday we had another 15 yards of neon red bark delivered. Mr. Bark Guy said we needed 75 yards and I am determined to bark bomb the front and backyard in 30 yards just to prove to myself that he was totally trying to overcharge me. Grrr… it makes me crazy.
As soon as Monkey Boy came home from school yesterday he got to work shoveling load after load of mulch to the backyard in our crappy orange wheelbarrow.
We’ve had the same wheelbarrow for I think 11 years now, and let me tell you Bob, it it on it’s last legs.
While the Monkey shoveled, I planted kale and Swiss chard starts in front of the chicken coop. A few days ago I planted fava beans about a foot from the wire fence. Then, in front of the fava {that can get up to 4 feet tall} we’ll have red winter kale, with ruby red chard in front of it. I may or may not plant another row of chard in front of that. We’ll see.
Actually I take that back. After looking at this photo I will totally be planting another row of chard towards the front of the border. I’ve never grown a border of anything other than bushes or flowers before so I think a veggie border will look really cool.
Here is the current view of the backyard. If you look towards the left you’ll see I carved out another garden plot to the right of the greenhouse. I also need to carve out another little plot in the remaining grey landscape fabric area as well.
My goal for today is to get the entire back area barked so tomorrow I can finish the bottom left side where the shasta dasies are just starting to pop up and the raspberry and blueberry patches that are on the ride side of the house.
Sunday, all I want to do is stay in my pajamas and watch movies all day. So fingers crossed, between myself and Monkey Boy, we can get this barktopia project wrapped up by the end of the weekend.
Here’s to wishful thinking.
~Mavis
P.S. Quick dog question – Lucy LOVES to play outside while I’m in the backyard. Do you think she needs an outdoor dog house to nap in while I’m in the back for hours on end? Is it normal for an indoor dog to have an outdoor house too? Help!
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Patty says
Hi Mavis, you’ve done an amazing job with your landscaping and garden preparations! It looks great! I’m so envious that you can be working outdoors and have plants and bulbs coming up already, yet still live in the north half of the US. Here in Minnesota we still have 2 feet of snow to admire each day . Our last “frost date” is May 13th, so no planting until close to then. As for your cutie Lucy, no outdoor bed is needed. She’ll nap when she’s tied anywhere and then nap hard when she’s done for the day and inside again. Thanks for all you share even if it does make me jealous!
Mavis says
Thanks Patty. The HH is convinced she needs an outdoor napping spot.
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
I agree. If she’s tired, she will nap anywhere. In the summer, my Sadie loves to take a snooze in the sunshine while I am willing my tomatoes to grow. Those dog houses can also be prone to harbor fleas in the warmer months. Ew.
I also agree that I am jealous you get to work outside year-round. We just had another 8 or 9″ of heavy, wet snow dumped on us last night in NY. You are a lucky lucky girl!
KK
Grandma PattyB says
Yep, she’ll nap where ever she wants to. If HH insists on a dog house, get one that can be converted into another coop when Lucy doesn’t use it. =)
Sakura says
Your dog is stinkin’ cute!!!!!
Mavis says
And she knows she’s cute too! LOL. 🙂
Christian says
Hi Mavis!
That’s a lot of bark, and work. Props to you and your fam for applying the elbow grease to get it all done. As for the pup, here’s what I’ve found out the hard way with mine. They want to be with you. Get an outdoor house (like we did) for them, and it’s great, as long as you’re working near the house. Once work takes you to other areas in the yard, however, and they’ll follow- finding the comfiest spot nearest to you. Maybe a house on wheels, since the pup is small?
-Christian
Madam Chow says
Yup. Mine would never use a house if I moved more than six feet away!
suzanne says
We never did but the older ones appreciate a little padding so I just pull one of the dog beds out on the deck. They follow the sun regardless. Lucy is adorable. We rescued a youngish boxer and my HH decided he needs a play mate with the same crazy energy. So we’re getting him a baby boxer brother Sunday. I fear my garden is toast this year.
Mavis says
Ahhhh ha ha! Yes, I do believe you will need to do some container gardening. 🙂
Tali says
I find my wheelbarrows in garage sale for $1-5….we have 5 (so I can make both girls help)
Julie Ann says
My dogs nap on the patio furniture when I’m outside… or in the goathouses 🙂 When Arizona has temperate weather (i.e. not triple digits), the dogs occasionally stay outside all day. They just nap in the dirt in the sunshine.
Madeleine says
I think she might enjoy a small doghouse. Both our dogs sleep inside, but they like to be outside pretty much all day! You might find as she gets older she likes to be outside on her own even when you’re not there with her. Even a small doghouse would give her a little space of her own, and might dissuade her from sleeping in your garden or flower beds!
Betsy says
Dumb question – I am using the dirt pellets for the first time this year to start seeds (the same kind you seem to be using based on your pictures). Do you remove the netting before you plant them in the ground or just leave as-is?
thanks!
Mavis says
I just plant them as is. 🙂
Huey says
We had an outdoor dog house for our indoor dog. She loved it. It kept her out of the sun also.
Angie says
Our set up is such (small garden in back and. Bigger open expanse in front set in ACRES of hillside and fields) that the dogs don’t get to nap at all outside – to busy racing around The chooks however … Well that’s a different matter. They just love to nap all over the place – latest favourite spot being in a corner of the garden where I there down some thatch raked out of the lawn.
By the way I just LOVE how your girls are lined up along the chicken fence watching you plant and trying to figure out how they can get to that fresh turned dirt when your back is turned!
Linda says
Looking good !!!
Franciscco says
Our pups love their dog houses especially in the summer when the love to lay around outside all the time!!
vicki says
Bella and Drake are indoor dogs but love the outside! They have doghouses but nap everywhere but in them!