Before and After/ Brown to Green #32

Back in March, blackberry patch Blackberry patch a couple of weeks ago Blackberry patch todayThe blackberry bushes are flourishing but the weeds outstripped them. Between weeding the garden and the time spent at conferences and writing, I'd neglected the berry patch. There was no way to hand pull all the weeds and spraying is out. I asked Frank to take his mower down the aisles. Then I used the weed eater on the areas he couldn't get close to. Next, I yanked out the offending plants in the mists of the bushes. I also had to get up at 3:00am to take Advil. My back did not think kindly of my accomplishment.

Backyard in March Backyard todayWhen we moved in the yard was non-existent. There were a few patches of what I called weeds or at the best wild grass. The realtor scoffed at me and said that was grass. Okay, maybe, but mostly dirt, and the mud was awful with three dogs. Frank has worked hard to get us ground cover. Granted, we have some hefty patches of weeds. When the grass came in, the weeds liked all the water and fertilizer. So we weed and weed.Seems to be a theme here!

Here are a few before and after pictures of outside. Pretty good progress in a little over three months. Most of our crop is behind schedule, but we'll still benefit although later in the season. Next year we'll start earlier.

Looking out front door in March

Looking out front door now












Then Now









Garden early March Garden at the end of March









Garden today







Orchard in March Orchard today