We seem to have lost My Florida Backyard.
Summer invaded, and this year, we let it win. The invaders, led by the Spanish (Needle) have completely taken over, and we just haven't had the energy or enthusiasm to do anything about it.
It started out slowly, but quickly picked up speed once August hit. See, the problem is, I actually work as a gardener. Once you're forced to spend hours a day out in the hot sun pulling weeds for a paycheck, it's suddenly just not as much fun to maintain your own garden, especially during the horrible hot days of a Florida summer.
It makes me incredibly sad, so sad that I have only been in the backyard about three times over the last month. I just can't stand to see it this way, but I can't seem to find the energy to go out and get sweaty and dirty on my precious days off. So, the garden has disappeared into a horrid mess of weeds and overgrowth.
But while we're feeling pretty overwhelmed right now, we haven't given up hope. We definitely plan to rescue My Florida Backyard, just as soon as some pleasant fall days arrive. In a lot of ways, it will be fun. There are certain places where we pretty much have to start from the ground up, and we can choose new plants and create new garden themes and all kinds of fun stuff. We just want to do it when the sun isn't quite so hot, and the humidity isn't quite so high, and the mosquitoes aren't quite so savage. But My Florida Backyard will certainly rise again.
Because the wildlife is still there, and we still love it. So we'll be back in action again when Florida's great fall and winter weather starts to kick in. That's a promise. Until then, you won't hear much from us, most likely. But be sure to hang around and come back once things get going... because someday soon My Florida Backyard will be better than ever!
so you gone native!....do not despair it will be cool soon and you will see a plant at the garden center and be inspired to spruce up its home..
ReplyDeleteDon't feel bad. It seems to be the summer for this. I think with all the rain you would have had to be outside all day long pulling weeds. Remember the old saying "The mechanic's truck is always broken!" It's the same for a gardener. You'll be enjoy the sprucing up when it gets cooler.
ReplyDeleteThe spanish needle is a beast by the way. I had a spot that is was allowed to go and it over took the whole corner. At least the butterflies, bees, and wasps enjoyed it.
It is really amazing how 'fast' our gardens can be taken over by plants like Spanish needle. Although, it is great for butterflies and other flying critters. My garden areas are a wreck too, the heat and humidity are just too much to work out in. I look forward to cooler weather and good times in the gardens.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you were a gardener for a living. I wouldn't want to tackle my gardens either after working outside all day for others.
Hang in there ~ Fall will be here one of these days and we'll all breathe a sigh of relief.
Have a great weekend ~ FlowerLady
Kinda like the plumber's home always having dripping faucets ;)...It really has been way too hot to get out there...I agree...I have let my backyard gardens fend for themselves also...but like you...I am looking forward to cooler mornings when I can go out and do some sprucing up and re-planning.
ReplyDeleteDo not despair! You are not alone. I too have been unable to care for my garden beds as I would like and it is also in a terrible state...gone wild. Adding to my situation is an overgrown, weedy lot next door...the weed seeds blow & creep, as those tough weeds do, right onto my property. And like you it is very disheartening and seems so overwhelming..where to begin? Just like you, when the weather cooperates I plan on taking just one small section at a time...for though it will be a long and arduous journey...with small steps and those satisfactions we can make progress.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hot! You'll feel better when it cools down. The garden is still there under all that growth.
ReplyDeleteThere's a saying: "You can tell a good mechanic by the condition of his car." The idea is that if his own personal vehicle looks like it could use some work, then he must be a good mechanic because he's always working on someone else's vehicle instead of his own. By extension, you must be doing a good job in your other garden projects to not have the time to work on your own!
ReplyDeleteThat said, looking at your garden, it doesn't look all that bad. With a little bit of work, it looks like you can go from being overgrown to a garden with the "overgrown look". I don't see this much down here in Florida, but when I was in Michigan, some people purposely let their beds grow whatever popped up. They mulched the beds, created paths and removed some of the more invasive/noxious plants, but for the most part they just let nature do its thing. I don't think it would take much at all for you to achieve the same look. Whatever you choose to do, I'm sure you will do a good job of it. I have only been following you a short while, but I have always been impressed. I'm just glad the absence wasn't something more dire. Best of luck to you!
haha...I didnt realize you worked for Moai...my family is coming in a few weeks and I plant to tkae themt here.....Have you getton rid of the weeds at least...I admire that you have shown us your shame...lol
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