I spent a couple of hours today digging up and disposing of suckers from the Carolina Sweetshrub, Calycanthus. It is something I planted a long, long, time ago, I think from Behnkes, and it has suckered prolifically. With the extra sunshine and lack of competition after the spruce fell last year, it has really taken over. As it's been raining a lot the past few days, the ground is wet and muddy. It was a bit too wet to be ideal for digging, but roots came out relatively easily. I should have space for new and sunny plants going forward. I think, with repeated sessions, I'm going to get it down to almost nothing there. I was thinking more indigo there, in the pure sun but exposed to the deer.
It was really good to spend a couple of hours outdoors. It really restores my soul to breathe the air and feel I'm making a difference. The plan had been to clean up the corner - and I did a bit of that - but I was taken with the bug for the more difficult digging task and I felt so good I was up to it. It didn't seem to bother the knee to drive the fork in (though the ground was so soft hard to tell). I need more time in the garden! Hard freeze is coming on again mid-week.
I planted the remaining crocuses. I had taken them off the porch a while back and tossed them in the fridge vegetable compartment. They all went together into a big bowl, which I am hoping Rocky will not be too interested in. I really need to put it elsewhere, but on the table in his room is the best spot.
On impulse, I bought a suet package at the hardware store and put it out in the feeder. I didn't check too often to see if it was being accessed. I recall reading that this time of year, this is very helpful to breeding birds. They need fat.
I ordered a cage for the 4x8 bed, and a kneeling bench. I did have a hard time getting down to the soil on the corner, where going down on one knee would have been good.
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