Thursday, August 1, 2013

Star of Bethlehem Finally Gone

[060508+iris+star+beh.jpg]See the small white flowers near the ground? That is Star of Bethlehem.  It is a pretty little flower in the spring, but it's very invasive.  This area has thousands of tiny little bulbs underground.  The only way to get rid of it, is to dig it all out.

Abracadabra! It's gone!
OK, it was not really that easy.  My sweet husband  spent a good hour removing all of the top soil--at least six inches deep.
He hauled it all away and will cover with plastic and rocks in hopes of killing the gazillion bulbs.  I don't even want them to grow in the woods because I know they will find their way back to my gardens. 

He looked up from the spot he was dumping them in and saw this:

At first he thought mosquitoes were buzzing around over his head. Good thing he looked up before he begin swatting!

He ran to Home Depot to get bags of top soil and refilled the area (I think it took 11 bags).
Once the sidewalk gets power washed, it will be ready for planting.  I have no plans to do any planting until next year.

J (DH) is becoming quite the grill master.  He made these potatoes for dinner:

He seems to really enjoy cooking and so far I enjoy not cooking. It's a good retirement hobby for him.
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11 comments:

  1. SueThu Aug 01, 07:13:00 AM 2013

    Hi Zoey-glad you got rid of your invasive. I had to do the same thing with that Bishops Weed. What a nightmare. We just dug the entire area out-it was the only way to finally get rid of it.

    We had one of those nests in our Maple over the driveway. Amazing that they can construct something that elaborate without us "seeing". Hubby looked them up-it was a "bald faced bee" They didn't bother us, we didn't bother them. We kept the nest after they froze out. They're pretty neat.
    End
    Of
    Novel!

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    1. Diana LaMarreThu Aug 01, 05:30:00 PM 2013

      I have never heard of a bald-faced bee! I will have to look that up.

      I told J to leave it alone. After they all leave I want to keep it, too. It will look wonderful on a wreath!



      A few years back I had to get rid of my Bishop's weed. It's such a pretty plant, but it sure does take over. I still it growing out in the woods where I tossed debris after I thought it was all dead.

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  2. Sunray GardensThu Aug 01, 07:32:00 AM 2013

    Lots of work there. Nice to have him do all that for you. It will be interesting to see what you decide to put in there. It can be so hard to plant those little areas. Plus he cooks? What a keeper!
    Cher Sunray Gardens

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    1. Diana LaMarreThu Aug 01, 05:35:00 PM 2013

      He's a keeper for sure! I am thinking of trying seeds in that area---maybe zinnias.

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  3. NanaDianaThu Aug 01, 08:57:00 AM 2013

    It's always good to get a job like that done, isn't it? AND he can cook? Sounds like you better tie those apron strings to the door and keep him. Zoey, I am just wondering-is your place ever on any of the garden tours or don't they do those in your area? Your gardens are AMAZING! xo Diana

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    1. Diana LaMarreThu Aug 01, 05:32:00 PM 2013

      Hi Diana,


      Yes, he's a keeper for sure! No, I have not been on any garden tours. I would not want to be on one unless I had more time to tend to the garden I would have to make sure every weed was removed, the grass was green, etc. I would be a nervous wreck!



      Thanks for your nice comment.

      Delete
  4. My Garden DiariesThu Aug 01, 10:50:00 AM 2013

    Your area is such a clean slate now!!! And I too am glad he wasn't swatting! Yikes! Nothing better than having a break from cooking! How awesome that he is enjoying retirement!!

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    1. Diana LaMarreThu Aug 01, 05:38:00 PM 2013

      Hi Nicole

      I love looking at the clean slate. . . so many possibilities! J is loving being home and having all the time in the world to do things when he wants to. Lucky for me, he is a very ambitious man!

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  5. DianneFri Aug 02, 04:44:00 PM 2013

    I see a few of those Star of Bethlehem flowers around in the spring. They don't spread here. I guess you may not do bulbs again?
    Maybe your DH will rub off on my DH since I broke my pinkie toe on my left foot yesterday. I could hardly walk on it yesterday, but today it is a wee bit better. The Crocs seem to work good, couldn't get them on at all yesterday. I need new ones in case I have to wear them to a concert next week. I ran into the vacuum cleaner and my toe got stuck under the wheel!

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    1. Diana LaMarreSun Aug 04, 02:11:00 PM 2013

      I don't think I will do any bulbs. I think seeds--all zinnias would be nice. I could use them for indoor bouquets...I could totally change my mind by next year!

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  6. Margaret @ Live Like No One ElseTue Aug 27, 06:58:00 AM 2013

    Oh..are all your SOB bulbs dead already. If not, I'd love to take a few off your hands and would be happy to send you postage!!! I have tons of places I'd love to plant it.

    Margaret @ Live Like No One Else

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