It's a cool day at the farmette - about 8C - and it's supposed to be showery for the duration. I was sooooo happy yesterday to be able to get through and book my vaccine appointment. May 19th at 10:10 a.m. in Hanover. I told my sister Sandy right away, and she booked for herself and her husband. They're in at the same venue at 10:15. YAYAYAYAYAY!
So there's that. I'm also celebrating the fact that I sent out my 400th invoice on Friday. Can't believe it's been nearly eight years since I left my job, set up my business and started freelance writing. Had a bit of a dry spell last year, but going strong again in 2021. I'm so grateful for having made that decision and being able to interview and work with so many talented folks in the agriculture and food industry.
Anyway, onto the real topic, which is recycling. Last weekend, as I was slogging it out with edging the flower beds (a job I HATE), Rob suggested I could collect some of the rocks that are piled up along the edges of the property and use them as a decorative break.
I had already done this on the east side of the toolshed. It just never occurred to me to do it in the back garden. I knew there was a reason I'm keeping him around - clever clogs Scot that he is.
So I got the JD and the cart and started hauling the large, medium and small lovelies from the fence line that divides our property from the one to the west. Had to be careful about ensuring the payload wasn't too heavy, because we had a wee, ahem, mishap a couple of weeks ago when Rob overdid it with the spent litter he hauls to the back of the farmette and got a flat tire as a result. Ok. So he's not perfect. But pretty darn close.
Anyone who lives in Grey County will recognize the photo above. Almost every farm field has a pile lining its edge. One of the better yielding crops here is rocks.
So here's the result. Cool, eh? I was describing it to a friend the other day and said it's kind of like decorating a la Flintstones. Still, it does look better than it did.
I also hit on the idea of taking some of the massive expanse of vinca (aka periwinkle, aka myrtle, according to my mother) that also borders the west side of the property and transplanting it under the yew hedge on the east side of the house.
A couple of weeks ago I finally tackled the yews that had grown out of control. Seriously considered topiary - maybe a cat or something appropriate - but I'm not that talented.
Instead, I settled for a rather serious trim job which resulted in a big gap of exposed soil under the hedge where nearly nothing would grow. Except vinca. Which can grow just about anywhere and actually likes the shade. So, I took the wheelbarrow and a spade and started digging. While it doesn't look like much right now, hopefully by the fall - when we're all completely vaccinated (!) - it'll be carpeted by the shiny, dark green ground cover.
While I'm looking forward to spending some time and money at the local nurseries, it's nice to know I have some resources right here at the farmette. All they needed was a bit of shifting.
Until next week.