As My Garden Grows: August 2009

This year's big project has been to move or dig out the bushes on the south side of the house. This is part of the 10 year plan...the rolling 10 year plan. Ken tells me I'll never be done. He's right of course, as soon as something comes off the list another goes on the list!

First you dig the hole...

Then find the victim...

Can't move the one on the southwest end (one on the far left)...

there are eggs ahatchin'!

Or so I thought until about three weeks later when nothing had hatched. I must have disturbed the nest enough that the parents abandoned the nest. So sad. I didn't mean to do that!

So, the next evergreen over got moved first. The one right by Harley's butt. Being a dog she doesn't mind butt shots. Which puts it at the evergreen in the middle in this picture.

Next you dig...and dig...and dig some more. And when you think it might be enough just dig some more because it is not even close to being enough. Those evergreens can put down some roots...as in straight down with a ton of smaller offshoots to stabilize the bush. This isn't even a tree! It is only a bush and I dug for almost an hour!

Then you need a strong rope, a very strong rope. Wimpy ones you think will work will only break when you use the garden tractor to pull on the bush. So heavy duty electrical cords that someone has cut off the ground plug will do very nicely. Wrap it around the prickly bush twice then around the seat of the garden tractor until you can tie off the cord. Don't take off with gusto!! The front wheels come off the ground VERY quickly! Letting off the gas pedal returns the wheels to mother earth just as quickly. After that is was time to reassess how to pull with the garden tractor. The key is to s-l-o-w-l-y pull the cord taut then give a very small amount of gas. When the bush is tight or pulled over whichever comes first, then get out and dig some more! Once out pull the bush with the garden tractor to the hole you dug in the new spot. Dig at this hole to enlarge it some more since it was not even close to being big enough the first time. Push, pull and finally roll the bush into the hole. Cover this with dirt while the hose is shoved into the hole to water the plant. Stomp off the mud when you are done and rake into the mound around the trunk of the bush.