Summer Projects and Future Plans

This summer work has continued in the front flower beds on either side of the front steps here at the Burt Stark House. The photo above is the left side of the front steps. Some Crepe Myrtle shoots are there behind that Hydrangea. They will be encouraged and will eventually shade this sunny bed nicely.

This is a closer shot of the front left bed closer to the front steps. The little weedy patch in the middle of the bed is some old daylilies that will need to be lifted and divided this fall. 

Here is a picture of the flower bed to the right side of the front steps. These Aspidistra "Cast Iron" plants need to be moved to a shadier bed in the back yard. At one time there were huge ancient magnolia trees that put all this area in deep shade. But they are gone and this plants need a move to some cooler shadier area.  

Rubble Pile Put to Good Use

The large pile of fill dirt and rubble that was removed from the yard behind the Old Kitchen to make way for the new Herb Garden has been put to good use. The picture above shows the small loads dumped over electrical wires and exposed tree roots behind the Burt Stark House. 

Here is a wider shot showing that this was a small area behind the house. To the right of this area is a large grassy yard often rented out for social functions and as a wedding venue. Exposed wires and roots needed to be covered and the view improved. 

Everything was smoothed out and raked as level as possible. Ten bales of pine straw should cover and clean this little project up nicely. Mission accomplished. 

Nobody knows ...

To you this is just a photo of a couple of old boxwood shrubs. But it really is the final product of two days work on hands and knees. Ivy was pulled. Lots and lots of ivy was pulled. Weeds are clipped. Dead branches were sawed off. This is not a photo of two old boxwood shrubs. This was a major accomplishment. 

So Excited!

The one ton pile of fill dirt and rubble has been removed from behind the Old Kitchen building and so work on the Kitchen - Herb Garden can begin in earnest. 

The soil behind the Old Kitchen looks pretty good, and was leveled nice and smooth, it should make a superb foundation for the Herb Garden.  

Here is a better view from behind the Old Kitchen showing how level the new garden bed is going to be. You can also see how much good full sunlight this yard gets from early morning until late afternoon, so it should be a good spot for herbs and flowers. 

One last look of the before of the Old Kitchen Herb Garden at the Burt Stark House July 2016. Can't wait to get started!