While many American fans were busy watching the Super Bowl last night I made plans for the garden season opener. The weather forecast for the week looks decent, high of 48F today then rising into the mid-50s through Sunday, some sunny days, some overcast, but at least no rain for a few days. This gives me a chance to mulch the garden before the plants get out of hand. I placed my order at 8:15 this morning and promptly at 11:30 a truck backed into the drive, dumping 14 cubic yards of double-shredded hardwood mulch. Oh my!
Hardwood Mulch Delivery-14 cubic yards of work
Last year the garden was never completely mulched so this is a chore I really wanted to do. It will be a challenge to get it all spread quickly, as access to the garden is by way of a narrow little path not easily traversed with a garden cart full of mulch.
After just a couple of hours I was already in want of a break to rest my back, but as expected, the time spent is rewarding. I am trimming back old foliage and stems from last year and closely inspecting each square inch. Progress will be slow but steady. It took this drastic measure of blocking the driveway and garage access to get me out into the garden. I will not be able to get my car in the garage until I finish this project. Now that I have my playbook for this game, there is nothing left to do but try to win it for the home team.
pbmGarden 
Keep up the good work, Susie – but don’t overdo it! That looks like an awful lot of mulch! 😉
Cathy, I think I already overdid! The pile of mulch is daunting but I have to remind myself I have done it before. Take care.
Wow! Great you can buy quality mulch like that! I have to make my own here from trimmings from pruning etc. I look forward to the photo of the empty sheet. Christina
Your mulch is probably wonderful because you can control what goes in it. This batch is very nice–smells nice and fresh. I was surprised the company could deliver it so soon. I too am looking forward to the photo of the empty sheet! Best, Susie
I have my cheer leading outfit on and holding pom poms to cheer you on…..Give me a S, give me a U, give me and S, give me and I and E..you get the drift.
Thanks Stepheny. I can hear your support and appreciate it! Susie
Nothing better than a good mulch to make your garden smile. Good exercise for you too.
So true Malc! There’s a noticeable improvement along the area I mulched today and it gave me time to notice details. Susie
I’m getting inspired! Maybe I should take advantage of the good weather this week and order a truckload of compost…
I debated using compost instead of mulch this year. My mulch pile looks barely touched after Day 1, but I’m enjoying reconnecting with the garden. Good luck.
My back is aching in sympathy, but your garden will look wonderful with its mulch in place! I never seem to have enough, so only a third gets done each year, will have to be like you and buy some in.
I hope the garden will look much improved once the mulching is finished. Your garden is so large Pauline I imagine mulching a third each year is quite a job. At any rate it always looks well-groomed in your photos.
Hi Susie! I am so jealous of your enormous leap of mulch! Leaving it on the driveway could be a very good incentive to finish the job ASAP. A kind of a shock therapy indeed, I use it when there are jobs I don’t like to do and tend to left them incomplete otherwise… 🙂
You’re exactly right Alberto. I would probably just put it off without having taken this drastic step.
Go Susie!!!
Thanks for the support! It’s coming along slowly.
How wonderful to be able to work in winter in the garden…I always have to cram all the chores into 7 months from Apr-Oct.
You must be impatient for April then Donna! It was 60F today and sunny this afternoon and it made me feel so good to get outside. Winter may not be quite over but I’m encouraging it to move on! By July it is usually so hot and humid I will want to be back indoors. Take care.
Oh beautiful mulch!
Thanks! Yes indeed. I may not think it so charming by the end of the week though.