Jay Gaulard Blog

Using Mulch as Topsoil

Thursday, August 9th, 2007

This is just a little update post to my previous “Spreading the Mulch” post.

I was a little worried that a good hard rain was going to cause all of my newly spread mulch to slide down the backyard. Well, I have some good news. There was a heavy rain storm the other night and I woke up to see my mulch in exactly the same spot as I put it. That is good news indeed. I even found an article online that backs up my plan to stop topsoil erosion by using mulch. Pretty cool, huh?

I think I am going to order five more yards to finish up the back yard.

Our Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum) - Photo

Sunday, July 8th, 2007

I was outside strolling around, when I noticed that our Easter Lilys are almost in full bloom. Laura’s friend gave us a few of these flowers last summer. We planted them and they immediately died. I left them there and within a few weeks, new sprouts were coming up out of the ground. When I saw that, I transplanted them into the front garden where they could get some sun.

These flowers have been doing extraordinarily well. The flower is huge and the pollen almost drips, there is so much. Here, take a look…

Soaker Hose for the Garden

Tuesday, June 19th, 2007

As you may know, I like to plant things and admire the things I plant. I even like Planters Peanuts. I take it personally when things droop or die.

You may also know that the success of any new plant depends on many things, but one of them is the amount of water they receive. So many people sit there and watch the trees and shrubs that they just planted a few days ago die. I would think that many of them scratch their heads in wonder.

If you ask any of my neighbors what I do in the evening, they would probably tell you that I like to walk down the road and back as well as water the gardens. I do water a lot. I always knew that my hose and sprinkler method was not the most efficient way to do things, but that’s what I have to work with.

Laura came home the other night with a new shipment of plants she got from her friend. We planted them with some success. Some are taking off and some are half dead. Since such new plants require a lot of water and a lot of attention, I decided to get some of those soaker hoses I have heard about in the past. They are much more efficient than regular watering methods and are partially made with recycled tires. It’s all good.

If you are interested in water conservation via soaker hoses, you can check out these resources…

- Saving Water Partnership
- Fiskars Bulk Soaker Hose
- Garden and Soaker Hoses (EPA)

I have to say, these hoses are pretty cool. When you turn them on, you just watch them get wet. I did this last night and wondered if they were actually doing anything. Then, I dug my hand under the mulch to see that they were.

Save some water, give ‘em a shot.

Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum & October Glory Maple

Saturday, June 2nd, 2007

I decided that this was the day for me to go out to my local Agway and pick up some Tent Caterpillar killer.

On the way, I thought it might be a good idea for me to swing by the local nursery to see if they have any decent trees. I am still looking for two to plant as shade in front of the house. I got to the nursery and took a look around. They had some good trees (not many), but were about 400% too much, compared to what I have been seeing around. No wonder no one ever goes to this place.

I drove back towards Agway. When I pulled in the parking lot, I noticed these fantastic looking Plum Trees. I couldn’t believe their fullness and great color. I said to myself, “I must aquire such beautiful trees.” That was a little joke, I didn’t really say anything beyond something about them looking good.

I walked in towards the entrance and struck up a conversation with a nice couple who were purchasing two of the same type of tree. They were all excited about how lucky there were to find these for only $20. Well, there was one left and I didn’t need much selling at that point to know that I wanted it.

Well, here she is…a Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum (Prunus cerasifera). Ain’t she pretty? As I was looking around, I noticed a few Maples hanging out in the corner. They were around $28, so I figured that I could grab the two of them and my tree shopping would be done for the year (yeah right). By the way, here is a good journal about a Thundercloud Purple Leaf Plum.

The above picture is a Red Maple - October Glory (Acer rubrum). Now don’t get all nervous and try to offer me your opinion of the tree being planted too close to the house. It is meant to be. I am looking for shade, remember? As it grows, I will trim it. If it gets too large, I will take it down and replant another one.

Oh, by the way, Agway didn’t have what I was looking for as far as Tent Caterpillar control.