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A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

Gardening: Not for the Faint of Heart

My friend Rebecca posted this on her blog (a private blog) and she gave me permission to repost it here. I didn't know she was taking photos. It does look a bit scary doesn't it?!!


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My friend Phillip and I went to the land fill the other day to get mulch/dirt for our gardens.  Usually we have to load our trucks ourselves, which is a bit of work.  This time, a very helpful city employee was there and loaded our trucks for us.  It was great to have the help.  It saved us lots of time and effort.  At the same time, it was a little unnerving to have that giant machine so close to our vehicles, especially while we were in the vehicles!





Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. It's such a satisfying thump when the mulch hits the bed of the truck. As long a only the view out the rear window disappears all is well. It's great to get all that mulch so fast. Actually I think it's less stress to be in the truck than to see the action from a distance.

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  2. We get our mulch this way all the time. I can't imagine having to shovel it all INTO the truck and then having to unload it too. UGH.
    Do you have to pay for your mulch?? It would be worth it if it was free.

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  3. Lisa, it is free but it is rare to have someone load it for you. You usually have to load yourself. A lot of work!

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  4. Excellent. A truck of the good stuff loaded for free. I know how much work a JCB or similar saves!

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  5. Our city provided equipment to load trucks once when the compost site was new to encourage people to take some home. Now, it's shovel, shovel, shovel. It is nerve racking but they know better than you how close they are to your truck. Hope it makes your garden grow!!!

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  6. The only way we get it loaded for us is to hand the man some cash!

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  7. Phillip, you need to ride with me out to the landfill to show me where to get a load. My big Ram1500 will take a while to fill up and unloaded. Our landfill in Tuscumbia doesn't offer it. Sheffield utilities offered it at one time & I heard they would load. I need call them. Have fun using it. Mary

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  8. Oh if only I had a truck! Had some delivered a years ago, I'm just now getting through all of it.

    Very cool that the city worker helped you out; that would never happen in my neck of the woods.
    I miss the south!

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