It’s finally warmed up somewhat, so I’ve spent some time the last couple weekends messing with my yard. I noticed last weekend that some plants are sprouting, so I finally got around to at least partially clearing out all the dead bits from last year.
Last year I gathered a bunch of dead leaves and stalks, crumpled them up, and left them in the flowerbed under a window thinking that it would rot and make nutrient-rich soil for this year. I suspect it’s a bit dry for that to work so easily here (at least in the winter): I ended up with 2+ inches of basically dust, through which very little was growing. Now I’ve got a tub in my garage full of leaf dust that I’m not entirely sure what to do with. I don’t think composting it in my garage is going to work, but maybe I’ll spread it back in the flowerbed when stuff is already growing and the summer rains will break it down a bit. If that doesn’t work maybe it’ll deter weeds.
Also, the lilac is still being invasive, so I used my new trowel and clippers to dig up and trim back the roots that it had sticking out 3+ feet on both sides. Having a proper trowel, even if it is the 88 cent plastic one from Home Depot, sure beats digging with my hands.
Since I was spending some time outside I thought the cats might appreciate joining me. Talore tolerates the harness pretty well, and while she isn’t particularly enthusiastic about being outside she is content to sit in the grass and nibble on the tips of things.
I even thought maybe Dash would want to come outside since he was sitting just inside the door watching.
He only meowed a little as I carried him outside, and when I put him where Talore had been sitting he stayed there briefly and looked around. Then right after I anchored the leash with a paving stone he bolted for the door.
I heard him get out of the grass, and when I turned around he was doing his best to drag the anchor to the door. When I let him loose he went right back to where he had been, except since he was leashed I left the door open and he got close enough to stick his face outside. Apparently that’s all the exposure to “nature” he wants. Maybe if I get another harness and have him out at the same time as Talore he’ll do better.
Since it’s been warm I hung the hummingbird feeder up, though it’s supposed to snow tomorrow night so I’ll need to bring it back inside. This is right outside and below one of the windows the cats look out so if any hummingbirds actually come to feed this year they’ll be entertainment for the cats, who will in turn probably provide entertainment for me (even if I have to clean up drool off the windowsill).
