The Great Thistle Extermination - part 2

I made it to the tree before the bees came out to play. Now I can clearly see what parts of the tree need to be trimmed as well.

This is the grass that I would like to take over the area. I think, with the Thistles gone, it will have room to spread.

Here's the tools of trade for this project. I now have one garbage bag filled so I feel pretty good about what got done.

This will have to wait until tomorrow morning. The bees are pretty thick and I sure don't want them mad at me.

The Great Thistle Extermination - part 1

Not every wild plant can stay in a Mountain Garden. Such is the case with this Thistle Patch.

Pictures can be deceiving - this Thistle Patch is about 20 feet long by about 9 feet wide. The main reason for the extermination - my Mom's allergic to them. As this project begins I find I'm slightly allergic as well. So, I stay out until my nose stuffs up - then go in the house until it clears (this is one of those clearing moments).

These spiny little guys need to be cut at the base - one at a time. I'm using thick rubber gloves and picking them up with the same trimmer I'm cutting them with. Taking no chances.

This little friend came to watch.

I can almost hear them say, "Whatja doin Sandy?"

Well that's part 1 - now we'll see how far I get today.

2 Little Spring Flowers

These 2 little Spring Flowers were found in the Garden area. Yesterday I moved them to Wildflower Garden #1 and put them in an area that had not sprouted. A wonderful bonus was that I also moved a worm, lol. I hope he / she likes its new home. I'll be moving more things in as I see them sprout. It's best to have Wildflowers that grow naturally in your area, rather than trying to grow something you don't know.

By the way, the fence around the Veggie Patch is STILL not done, lol.

Over these next 2 days we have high wind warnings so not much is going to get done. They are calling for sustained winds of 25 - 35 mph with gusts over 50 mph. We are praying for rain. It seems strange to me that just 2 States away they are dealing with flooding while we are dealing with drought and high wind (fire danger). I wish there was a way they could send some of their water this way.

Photo Update of the Garden Project

Yesterday I was able to get some pictures of the Garden Project, enjoy.

In The Veggie Patch
Baby Radish

Baby Lettuce

Wildflower Garden Area #1
Wildflower Garden Area #1 is starting to really green out.

This little flower came to visit - I need to learn its name.

Bonsai Oak Overlook
In this picture you can really see how Bonsai Oak is bent.
I can't wait till the buds turn into leaves.

Prepackaged Mullein?
PVC pipe for inserting fence posts. This Mullein decided it was a good place to grow.

Baby Yarrow

One of the little garden areas is a Corner Garden that my Mother created many years ago. Those are Scruff Oak in the center, she transplanted some Yucca, encircled the space and that was as far as she got. The green behind the Scruff Oak is a Cederwood (just a Bush now) and the tall green way in the back is a Ponderosa Pine. Over the years some Yarrow came to play in the little area.

Here's a closer look at the Baby Yarrow that came to visit.

At this stage of life they look so much like a little fern.