This is my wonderful Tommy Bahama chair, the best thing about the patio. That's my shed behind it.
Click on a picture to enlarge it.
The next 2 photos are the view from the chair. Not much to look at.
You can sort of see the notch in the heather - I started removing the dead wood from beneath the plants and ended up having to take out the plants themselves. The tall stuff is on my neighbor's property and I've been whittling away at it. Some of the trees you see are blow-ins from the other side of the fence and need to be cut out. They grow so fast I can't keep up with them.
This green plant sticking out pops up everywhere. It is a horrible weed and is so prickly that it stings even through gloves. I've tried using the salt-vinegar solution and even stronger weed killer. It will make the leaves turn brown but the plant still grows. If I cut it and treat the stub coming out of the ground, it will continue to grow. I don't know what it is or how to get rid of it.
So you can tell by the pictures and my description that I am certainly no gardener. I like to see flowers and trees, but have absolutely no interest in dealing with them. You might see some iris plants in one of the photos - that stuff must have been planted by a former owner and it spreads like crazy. The flowers are pretty but don't last long enough for me to enjoy them, and there have been some years when no flowers appear at all. I've pulled many of them out and dang, some more babies appear. I just can't win!
I finally went to the gym this morning and walked about a mile and a quarter. I feel so energized and in such a good mood from the exercise. I really need to get back to doing it every day, at least on the weekdays. Tomorrow won't work as I go to the dermatologist at 9:20, but I have my doubts she will do anything but look at my arm, so maybe I will be able to get back to the gym while it's still not crowded.
Well, I have a lot to do while I still am on the energy high. Later.
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ReplyDeleteDo you have a Cooperative Extension in California like they do in Pennsylvania maybe they can help you identify and get rid of the prickly weed... personally I don't think it looks too bad you have a pretty good view compared to what my dad has in his backyard big ugly cement block wall... I made a little patio will sunflowers in a pot behind my rig so I have something to look at pretty.. good luck with your weeds!
ReplyDeleteI don't know that we have a Cooperative Extension although I'm sure we do. I'm hoping when my sons redo the back yard they can get rid of some unwanted plants, trim the flowering shrubs, etc. I got rid of my electric trimmer years ago - have thought about buying another one but just don't think I should be handling things like that at my age!
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ReplyDeleteWe have morning glory everywhere and that stuff is a nightmare to get rid of. I hate yard work.
ReplyDeleteI hate yard work as well. I think the guy next door has morning glory vines that keep creeping over the line to my property. I'm always trimming a flowering vine - those things always make me think of Jack & the Beanstalk, and I can see how something like that could be true!
DeleteLooks like a lovely view from your patio to me. But then I like things wild and tall to block whatever is on the other side unless it is an unlimited view of the ocean or mountains. If it's someone else's property or a dog park then I'd be happy for anything to get as tall as it wants. I'd sit on that patio and read any time. It really does help to get out for some exercise each day. I try to do 10K steps and feel much better when I do. If I could always end my day with yoga, that would make it even better. Somehow that doesn't happen as often.
ReplyDeletePart of the problem is that the patio is so closed in and there is no feeling of spaciousness; the shed behind the chair, some kind of bush next to the shed, the oleander bush, the heather, all the crap that comes over the fence, and then another overgrown bush. The house is only a few feet away from the chair, so I'm like in a little box.
DeleteI love that deep red flowering plant. We have a dark deep dark red flowers like yours but I am not sure it is the same kind of plant. Keep up the exercise, it is good for you. While you are doing it, do some for me, too.
ReplyDeleteThat deep red flowering plant is the killer oleander bush! I want to get someone to prune it properly this year so that it will look good and not so straggly. There are oleanders all over this part of CA - white, pink, and red. They line the median strips on highways, as well as the sides of roads everywhere. They really are beautiful.
DeleteI went back to the gym this evening and did some exercise for you too.
I think if you could find a cheap landscaper to just get it all cleaned up and properly shaped you would really enjoy that space. It so nice and private and makes a good reading spot or if you like crossword or word find things I don't know just throwing things out there. You could even repaint the patio white or something. If I was closer I would help you, I'm not much of a gardner by any means but I love setting up cozy little areas. Like you mentioned before a nice patio set with an umbrella would be nice.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking of looking for someone to trim several of the plants I have in the front as well as the back. Everything needs to be shaped up, and I intend to find someone this summer. The last guy I got was a rip-off, but I will know better next time.
DeleteBe glad you have a small manageable yard. The oleanders look beautiful. I wish you lived closer so I could go exercise with you. I can not motivate myself to do it alone.
ReplyDeleteI wish we lived closer too - I'd love to have someone to exercise with, drink a beer now and then, etc.
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