I am not even going to check to find out what the exact temperature is outdoors. All I can say is it is sunny, humid and hot. Too hot for me to have the energy this afternoon to go out back and continue with the new perennial beds along the fence that was erected last fall.
In spite of adding amendments to the soil and tilling, the soil is still compacted and difficult to dig in.
Earlier this past week, I did get some help digging holes and putting in nine new root roses, as well as transplanting approx. 5 rose bushes from other sections of the yard.
Word to the wise and now from experience.... Don't dig up a plant that you are going to transplant until after the new location has a hole dug and is ready to have the plant put in place and watered.
Yeah, the transplanted rose bushes are not doing well at all. They went from ravishing to death row, as the roots were exposed for 60 minutes or so on a warm day.
Finally, was able to plant roughly 24 red gladiolus bulbs, 36 yellow and 36 mixed variety gladiolus bulbs in the new bed area, yesterday afternoon.
I also began the process of moving and transplanting iris rhizomes with greenery from other areas of the yard, as the next line, after the roses and gladiolus in the new beds. (One clump was reclaimed from the other side of the new fence, as the new neighbor mowed over the greenery. To me, that signifies that he doesn't want them there and/or doesn't care for them being there. So, they have another chance, back with their iris rhizome clan in neat little rows.)
Amazed at how some of them have survived, as the soil here in VA is such a dense clay that the majority of them were surrounded by dry clumps, as opposed to loose and moist earth.
Hopefully, over time, I can improve the soil nutrients and conditions within that area.
I did pick-up 6 bags of Scott's wood mulch at Home Depot on Thursday PM and another 8 bags earlier this afternoon, as they have them on sale for the holiday weekend for $2.50 per bag. Wood mulch is a must in this area, unless plants are established and densely planted. Huge help in holding moisture in the soil for root systems, as opposed to quickly evaporating back into the air.
There is a lot more to be transplanted from other sections of the yard, as well as there are a slew of other new bulbs that I purchased that have yet to find a home.
I am praying that I won't damage the calla lilies that are in a few sections of the yard that have been rapidly shooting up greenery this week. They are in very odd areas and my goal is to have a lovely, dense section of garden beds along this line of fence. An area where I can look out and enjoy or go out in the privacy of the yard and drink in their beauty.
Maybe tomorrow, in the early AM, it will be cool enough to work on transplanting the delicate beauties without damaging them.
Feel like I have been there and done all of this. Took years with the other house landscaping, regarding, soil amendment and build up, stone walls, transplanting and purchasing of new plants, etc.
Lots of personal time and muscle power, as well, as when needed, I have realized that I have to hire others to help periodically, as there are only so many hours and so much energy and strength that I can expend.
Another day... Another day...
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