Tonight after the last trick or treater goes to sleep and the Halloween parties end, we are left with great material to add to the compost pile.

The jack o lanterns can go in the compost pile. The cornstalks can be chopped into smaller pieces and be added also. The straw bales will make great mulch for next years garden. Even straw that has gotten wet will still make good mulch. I would recommend leaving in the garden all winter so it will be there, ready and waiting, in the spring.

If you have multiple bales of straw they can be piled to offer shelter to animals this winter. It may be a good way to offer shelter to the birds near a feeder. Many other animals may appreciate it as well. Whatever you decide to do, just remember those items are too good to just throw away. If you do not have a place for them maybe a neighbor will. All that stuff is like gold to a gardener.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Note: This post was moved from the page LANDSCAPE ON A BUDGET.

The first step in any landscape renovation is to assess the area. You can save a great deal by re-using items.

Previously I had removed three overgrown arborvitae. That left me with a pretty clean slate. The only things left were some Tiger Lilies and an assortment of vines and ivy.

Those remaining plants were carefully dug up. They were put in an out of the way place to await a new planting spot. They will be watered regularly.

The existing landscape timbers were removed also. The only reason this was done is because I plan on changing the size and shape of the bed.

Tilling the bed area was the next step. This broke up the soil and assists when you’re ready to grade the area. Quick tip-Sometimes you can’t till all the way into a corner. Shovel that soil into the middle where it can be worked up as well.

Once the new bed design was worked out I laid out an area for a stepping stone walkway,

Landscape timbers were cut to size and put into place. I then double checked to be certain I was happy with their placement. Holes were then drilled through each end of the timbers. The timbers can then be secured with 12inch lengths of reinforcing rod driven through the previously drilled holes.

Next I’ll install the stepping stones, re-seed some lawn and decide what to plant.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

May 11, 2008

The project is coming along very well. I have added a few more things into my project but the costs are still pretty low. At this point I have spent $109.00. I expect to complete all of it for under $250.00.

I’ll have cost breakdowns and additional information soon.

I’ll see you in the backyard.

May 27, 2008

The project has been completed!

The entire area around our house was renovated for only $204 out of pocket.

$64 was spent on plants. The most expensive plant purchased cost $20. Five gallon sized perennials were bought for $19. The remaining $25 was spent on annuals and perennial flats. A great way to stretch your budget is to buy perennials in flats rather than individual pots.

$90 was spent on mulch. I still have some left so that can be saved for another project.

Solar landscape lighting was added for $16.

16 patio stones were purchased for $24. These were used for a walkway to our front door. They were also used for a walkway to the mailbox.

By re-using some existing stepping stones I was able to extend a walkway to our patio. The stones were place in the pea gravel walkway. $6 spent on pea gravel added the additional length to the walkway.

$4 spent on bulk grass seed was necessary to repair any disturbed grass areas.

Other than re-using existing materials, I used four landscape timbers I had on hand. I also built two trellises from material I had on hand.

My key to savings was re-using everything I could and buying smart. The mulch and lighting were purchased at sale prices. I also looked for promotions where you spend a certain amount and save so much on your order.

I try to buy all my plants at local places. The hard goods[mulch, stepping stones]- I will buy where I can find the best price.

I may add a few additional plants yet. These will come from family and friends as I help them with some transplanting in their yards.

I found wonderful results from $204.

June 4, 2008

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Doug Russeau

May 11th, 2008

I was planning to move trees today but that had to be rescheduled. I did at least have a chance to start packing things away for the season. I gain quite a bit of room when things are put away for an extended period. This weekend should wind down a lot of my outdoor work. The extra room I am making will be nice for upcoming projects.

Soon it will be time to cut greens for the holiday projects and start making some bird feeders. With the temperatures the way they were this morning it is easy to start thinking about Christmas and bird feeding. I expect to start filling my existing feeders this weekend.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I usually make a point of only posting recipes with some link to the average garden, or fruits/vegetables that are in season. Here is one exception. This is a staple in our family at Thanksgiving. All through the cooler weather season the aroma of cooking bread and the warmth from the oven are a welcome treat for any kitchen.

2 3/4 cups warm water
2 packs yeast
6 1/2 cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons shortening (I usually substitute butter)
1 tablespoon salt

Mix all ingredients with a heavy spoon.
Allow dough to rise 30 minutes to an hour in mixing bowl.
Divide dough into two greased bread pans.
Let dough rise another thirty minutes.
Bake at 375 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

I hope you enjoy this as much as our family does.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

A free beginners organic gardening class and party from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday Nov. 6 at the London Youth Enrichment Program facility, 11983 Tuttle-Hill Rd., Milan.

Conservationist Al Norwood will give the presentation, which is designed for all ages.

Refreshments will be served.

For information, call 439-8964.

http://www.monroetalks.com/events/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=109976&year=2008&month=11

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Tomorrow I plan on moving three trees. They are Sassafras trees that are growing near another large tree. The trees came up on their own so they are not necessarily in ideal locations. The homeowners are having me come in to relocate them to other spots in their yard. My ball cart and wheelbarrow are loaded on the trailer. A spade and shovel have been sharpened and are ready to go. Burlap, twine and pruners are just a few of the other things I’ll be loading up in the morning before I leave.

I am hoping it will be an uneventful day. My only concern is the proximity to the large tree. The large roots of the big tree may make it difficult or even impossible to move the trees successfully. That is something I will not be certain of until I get there and get started. I will post an update when I am finished tomorrow.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I had to use my sewing skills yesterday. The problem is, the only sewing skills I have are with a large needle used with sisal twine when burlapping a freshly dug tree.

Fortunately those limited skills were all I needed. The collection bag on my lawn vac needed a small repair. There is a changing tab made of heavy cloth sewn into the bag. The tab hooks to the handle assembly to support the collection bag. The tab was pulling away from the bag and was about ready to fall off. I simply used a large needle and some fishing line to secure it tightly back in place.

I think it was my error that caused the original damage. I had accidentally hung the bag with a twist in the hanging tab. That put unnecessary stress on the tab. A full bag of shredded leaves can be heavy!

I was fortunate it was an easy fix. I was also happy that it was an inexpensive one. I’m sure one day the entire bag will need to be replaced. When that day comes I am certain a local upholstery shop will able to make a duplicate much cheaper than what I would pay for a factory replacement. When that time comes I may not be able to find a factory replacement anyway. It is nice to have options when it comes to equipment repair.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

It is time to think about planting fall bulbs. They can be a wonderful addition to the spring landscape. They are simple to plant and easy to maintain.

Prepare the area and plant the bulbs to the correct depth. The correct depth will vary depending on the type of bulb you plant. Check the bulb packaging due to this variance. The bulbs should be planted pointed side up. If you have any questions, a bulb planted on its side will usually find its way to the surface. The area can be prepared simply by working the soil up with a shovel. A tiller will work well for larger areas. When the bulbs are planted the area can be mulched for the winter. The bulbs should be watered in and they are ready to overwinter.

All that is left is to sit back and wait for those first blooms. After a long winter they are a welcomed sight. I will add more information on spring maintenance as it becomes relevant.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Are you ready? You may have the candy bought and the costumes are ready, but what about your yard? There are a few precautions you can take to be certain everyone has a safe and happy Halloween.

This occurred to me because every year when we take our kids trick or treating the same things happen. Leaves cover the sidewalks which makes it difficult to see any unevenness or any other obstacles. I have almost fallen myself when walnuts covered the sidewalk under a walnut tree. Add those to the fact the sidewalk was covered with leaves and it is not real safe when trying to keep up with your trick or treaters.

Clear paths are always best. Leaves can be slippery under hurried feet. Wet leaves can be even worse. Is there any trees that may drop anything besides leaves on the walkways? Walnuts or crab apples or anything like it can cause accidents. A simple raking or sweeping of the sidewalks can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

Is the sidewalk area well lit? I know Halloween is about the dark and spooky but a little light will go a long way to keep the trick or treaters safe. If you have solar landscape lighting it may be as easy as temporarily relocating a few extra lights near the front of your house.

Do not forget to keep your steps clear of leaves and anything else that may make them slippery. Make sure the pumpkins are situated so they can not get knocked over. This is especially true if they are lit with candles. A few safety precautions can help make it a fun evening for everyone.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I was recently asked an interesting question regarding feeding the birds. The question concerned attracting woodpeckers to their yard. There are woodpeckers in the area but they have no large trees in their yard. They are planning a rustic bird feeding station: http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=13
But they wondered what else they could do.

I think I might have found another way to draw them in. We can create our very own “tree trunk” to draw in the woodpeckers. Simply put a 4×4 timber up in the yard. An eight foot long post would stand about six feet tall with two feet buried. A taller post may be even better. The trick is to cover the post with bark from a dead tree or logs. The bark pieces could be nailed on with shingle nails or using screws with a washer to keep the screw from going through the bark. This will give the appearance of a tree trunk. The spaces between the bark and areas within the bark can be filled with suet for the birds. They will be able to hold onto the bark as if it were a real tree. I’ll be posting some easy recipes to make suet mixes at home.

I’ll see you in the backyard!