The Second Coat

You have to act while the weathers are cooperating. The second coat of paint was applied to the arbor before the next round of rain and snow arrives on Sunday. I think it needs a third coat, but this will do for now. There are other chores that need tending to.

All year long while strolling the wild cultivated gardens, a list of things that need doing is compiled. It is in the down time of winter that the gardener's gardens gets more attention. Part of that includes my assistant gardener duties to the garden next door.

I had watched Bulbarella lunge forward one too many times coming down these steps because the tread was wrong and she had to skip a step. That needed fixing. A sledge hammer was taken to the old cemented in stone steps. New steps were installed with a better rise and tread and a handrail for support was added. The handrail got its second coat of paint too. It is still a bit off for my big feet. I hope it is just right for Bulbarella's little feet.

I also made up a jug of Roundup and went out in the ridge top garden spraying the Silver Lamium, Lamium galeobdolon. This yellow flowered species is quite aggressive and has been taking over the entire mountain top. It's root system is so thick and tough Bulbarella can't plant in it. Her solution was to keep expanding the garden, trying to stay ahead of the Lamium.

My solution is to get rid of the Lamium. Because it is evergreen I can spray it in the winter when all else is dormant without having to worry about collateral damage. When Bulbarella comes back in the spring she finds all this empty space inside the garden that needs filling.

My main goal to stop the expansion of the garden into the back forty has been accomplished. The assistant gardener only has so much time and energy.

Maybe tomorrow I will light some fires.