Onward!

It really wasn't so bad. In fact, I've been wanting to spend all day, every day out there ever since! Of course, I haven't. It's been raining, for one thing, and I've had plenty of other things to catch up on.  

Still, every semi-cleared space, every little task accomplished has been encouraging.

From past experience, Joseph and I have learned that the first thing to do when restoring a garden is to reduce clutter. Pruning overgrown shrubs, pulling whatever weeds we can without too much effort, removing dead plant matter--these tasks clear the way for a more thorough thinning and cleanup. 

Once the worst of the overgrowth is out of the way and we can actually see the soil, it's time to get rid of anything we don't want to keep. For example, Joseph pulled the lantana and nameless salvia that crowded out the poor roses. That does not mean that they won't try to make a comeback. They probably will. But they had to go, and we'll be watching for them.

We had bags and bags of cuttings, weeds, roots--everything--to haul to the curb. I wish we had space for an efficient compost pile, but we don't. 

We've reached a more workable level. Since the initial weeding last weekend, sunflower seedlings have popped up like crazy. The combination of fairly mild temps and alternating rain and sunshine have actually been the perfect weather to encourage them. 

We're going to really have to turn over the soil before amending it. That's a job for another day soon!