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Les Jardins Sont Finis!

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If you don’t know French, the title says, “Gardens are finished!”.

Finally! OH. MY. HEAVENS! Finally! The final tally is in! I used a total of 90 pounds (40.8 kg.) of fertilizer. I am so proud of myself for accomplishing what I did do combined with my everyday schedule that comprises my life. There were times, I must admit, I didn’t think I was going to make it. Those were the times I had to focus solely on what was immediately in front of me and no more. When I turned the corner dashing to the finish line, that is when I just knew I was going to make it.

Let’s see. My early Spring flowers this year were the brightest in color and lasted the longest then I’ve ever seen before. They were glorious! My roses on the other hand were iffy. The ground roses flowered and kept on flowering, and to this day still are. Some of my individual rose bushes never flowered and others only gave me a few sparse flowers. I only had two bushes this year that flowered profusely. Between the weather, a new badass insect in town, and me not properly caring for them, they struggled.

All my shade plants prospered this year. My Peonies and Lilacs never before have given me such huge and abundant flowers! The bushes themselves seemed to have struggled but the flowers just came and came. My lavender bushes are nearing their maximum age of 15 years and at first I thought they were not going to make it. After being fertilized up to this present day, they are flowering.

 

The last rose this year.

We still have some tree limb cutting to do and I have to rearrange my bird feeders when we do the tree limb cutting. We are just waiting on the weather to turn colder to rake those leaves and cut those limbs.

 

The last flowers.

I set up some galleries for you to see what I did. One shot is of hubby purposely blurred because he requests his picture not to be online. I asked hubby to take a few pictures of me, but that was forgotten in the mountain we both were climbing. That’s OK. Perhaps next time I go to the gym I will take a selfie in the mirror to show you my newly acquired muscles. (smile)

Now for those gardens. There is no fancy editing with the following pictures, let me assure you. See for yourself what a 60+ year young woman still can do. That just goes to show you when you put your mind to a project and not deter from that project, you can accomplish Miracles. I’ll explain under each picture a little of what I did.

Some of my pictures are blurred. Before I imported into the gallery, they were clear. No bad on me. Bad on WP. Now, go see what I did! ENJOY!

 

The main areas I cut standing on a ladder or using an extension tree branch cutter.

Red bushes were higher then garage roof.
One of my lilacs
Another lilac

 

The three deer resistant cages I designed and built.

There are actually 6 stakes. This is the Rose of Sharon that was about 20 feet tall that died when Bella did. She is growing back.
This is the cage that my arms gave out and Hubby pounded one stake in for me.
My third cage for my third baby Rose of Sharon. Last year the deer shocked this one and the previous one so badly they almost died.

 

My gardens

Weeded and fertilized. Cut down all Tiger Lilies. Trimmed Periwinkles.
Side bushes that did not do well this year … I weeded and fertilized.
This is our little catnip garden. Weeded and fertilized and all plants cut down after harvested for flowers.
Weeded and fertilized.
Weeded and fertilized. There are two baby rose buses in here prepared for Winter that I will be transplanting next Spring. Hard cutback on Peonies.
Soil is so hard due to so many tree roots, Hubby drilled holes to loosen the dirt for me. I weeded and fertilized.
Weeded and fertilized.
Weeded and fertilized. Cut down all TigerLilies.
One side of my huge rose garden. Hard cutback on all roses. Prepared all for Winter. Trimmed huge lilac bush. Weeded and fertilized. Took out soaker hose.
Other half of huge rose garden. Ditto as the other side.
This is where I planted bulbs.
Weeded and fertilized. Cut down all Tiger Lilies.
Hubby putting screens on gutters to prevent leaves from clogging our drain pipes. Deliberately blurred.
Weeded and fertilized. Asian Lily cut down. Trimmed Periwinkles.
Weeded and fertilized.
Weeded and fertilized.
Hard cutback on Peonies. Weeded and fertilized.
Hard cutback on Peonies. Weeded and fertilized.
Weeded and fertilized. Trimmed Periwinkles.
Hard cutback on roses and prepared for Winter. Weeded and fertilized.
Weeded and fertilized.
Cut and shaped bushes. Hard cutback on all roses and prepared for Winter. Weeded and fertilized.
Hard cutback on rose and prepared for Winter. Plants all around tree cut down. Weeded and fertilized.

I thank each and every one of you for supporting me and cheerleading me on. At times I could “feel” you which spurred me on. I am so so grateful this huge endeavor is over this year. Hubby and I agreed this has been the toughest year getting ready for Winter for the both of us.

Photography/ “Les Jardins Sont Finis!”/ Oct. 2019©AmyRose Photography
http://www.herladypinkrose.wordpress.com

 

72 thoughts on “Les Jardins Sont Finis!”

    1. Thank you, Barbara. Those gardens what with all else going on in my life, were very challenging. It was a serious Miracle that I managed to get them finished. I do rest believe me. However, today is sunny which means I can finally go to my favorite of all places to be with my camera. I’ve earned it, that is for sure!! Much love to you! xo

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  3. The older I get the tougher winter becomes to both live through and get ready for. I keep asking myself why I continue to stay where it’s so cold. I’d move, but not alone again. That takes too much energy and I need that energy to get through these amazing times we are floating in. Glad you got the gardens finished. I have two left to do which is where I am going when I finish this comment. Gotta make hay while the sun is out up here. Lots of clouds and rain usually. Take a breather and remember to praise yourself kindly…..Happy Sunday…..Hugs and love…VK ❤

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    1. The age thingie is definitely showing itself, VK. Understood in spades. What I didn’t write about is the “action” behind the garden job, which in of itself was over the top. I just thank goodness that this job is behind me and now I can take a deep breath, grab my camera and get out into the forests. Today is bright sunshine …. cool yes, but sunny. I had a very challenging morning and as soon as I can, I’m outa here! Good luck with your gardens. I certainly know what it’s like. Have a great day and HUGS and love right back at ya!! xo

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  4. You are able to do this with so much energy because of your love for nature and your garden. And this love is visible in your garden again. It is a lot of work. We have some bigger garden projects coming up too now in fall and next year in spring. A completely new garden concept. But we need help from professional gardeners because of the dimension this will be.

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    1. Due to the effort that it took for me to get these gardens finished, I’m seriously thinking of hiring professional gardeners to do the closing up work next year. I’ve just got so much “other” going on in my life, Erika. I’m honestly stunned I pushed through and did all I did do. Good luck with your garden concept. Keep me updated! Much love to you this day! xo

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      1. I hear you, Amy, and I completely understand. At one point, you need to make the decision to get support which is not a bad thing at all… lol. But it is really cool how you hung in.
        I will for sure! We are removing some plants which grew to big and put them at a different spot, also clearing out fields and setting up new ones. One spot shall become kind of a tiny creek another one will be like a rose corner. I wonder myself how this all will turn out… lol!

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    1. Thank you, Wendi!! Our land is our little piece of Heaven. We built our home and I designed and created every single garden you saw. And I planted every single plant as well. All this from out of our hearts of LOVE. Bless you, dear friend!! xo

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    1. Thank you, Emma! Now I can get back to the gym and see what I can do with this new strength. I’m keeping up with it, believe me! Yes, thank God I am done. If you knew the all that happened behind the gardens in my life, you’d be even more amazed that I did what I did. I am. (smile) Much love to you!! xo

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  8. You went through a really huge job, dear Amy 🙂
    I think, that getting help for the big jobs is okay to ask for. Then you can do the smaller and more cozy jobs for yourself AND get more time to photograph 😀
    Much love to you ❤

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    1. Yes, Irene, it was a huge job. Now that I’ve stopped I realize how tired I am. Tomorrow however I am going to the gym! I really would love to find a reliable gardening company to do the heavy work for me. You have no idea how many days I yearned to be with my camera. I have to be honest that with age, this kind of work just gets more difficult. Much love to you!! xo

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      1. When you have a little time for searching, then try to use Google for good garden companies in your area and then read their recommending from others. You don’t need to use a company with 2 stars, when you can get one with 4 or 5.
        Enjoy your time off now ❤

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  9. Wow, that’s a lot of work my friend. Those muscles will freak out the gym instructor 😀
    You’ve really put some work in Amy and I would think by now looking forward to just wandering in a forest somewhere with your camera 😀
    But I think maybe you spoil your plants as much as your cats dear lady. One has its own wind chime and another seemed to have its own power supply behind it. Do they use a light for some reading before going to bed at night or whip up some green fertilizer smoothies for lunch? 😂
    Looking good my friend, take a bow 😀

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    1. Those wind chimes are perfect where they were placed by me, Mark. Our sliding glass door when open allow the music of those chimes to be heard inside our house. They are magical! Next year I am thinking hard to hire a professional to do the work I did. Most though would not do the job as carefully as I would. We’ll see.

      My muscles are not all that big …. LOL. For someone my age …. I’m proud of what I do look like. (smile) Today I have my hair down for a change. When I went to visit my new friend the horse next door, she kept looking at me as if she couldn’t figure out where all this stuff was coming from off my head. LOL I usually wear my hair up and tucked into a band. My hair is coming in handy now that it is getting cooler outside.

      I did go out with my camera today and hope to get the blow away colors I found in a post to show you soon! I was in awe! I was saying WOW out loud and caught another woman’s attention. We both had eyes as big as saucers. And this is just the beginning!

      Thank you so much for leaving such a beautiful comment for me to read. I missed being here, believe me. Hope all is well over in Aussie Land. Much LOVE to you!! xo

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      2. Bless you, friend!! I don’t get time off, not with all I do with our babies. But I make time for me ….. my motto is IF it is important you do make time for whatever that something is. That camera felt SO good in my hands today! And my soul just was doing somersaults in absolute JOY!

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    1. Oui. Un peu. Maintenant, vous savez. (smile) Two years in high school, did miserably, and have learned a bit here and there along my life’s road. And yes! Nighty night, heavenly gardens. Until next Spring! (((HUGS))), Julie! xoxoxoxo

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    1. I do feel good about what I did, Eliza. Not sure, however, if I want to do this again next year. Really contemplating about hiring a reliable gardening company to do this work for me. We’ll see. Do not like to admit but age is a factor in this. Thank you for the kudos. You of anyone knows the work involved in caring properly for a garden.

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  13. So amazing to read from you dear Amy!! You are truly the magical Earth citizen who creates and spreads so much beauty and joy of nature around – your hard work contributes to all of us 💛 That first yellow flowers – I just loved it! And I enjoyed the rest too 🙂

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    1. Our property is our little piece of Heaven, Pragalbha. All those gardens I put in myself and every plant you saw or saw where it was cut down, I planted with my own two hands. Years this took. There is a long story behind these gardens …. a time in my life when I was fighting to walk again after being bed-bound for almost 2 years. I’m so glad you stopped by to see how I am contributing to the Beauty for this Earth. All is connected and every bit that is contributed to the Light and Love of this planet counts. Much love to you!! xo

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      1. You are a a true contribution to Creation and to the planet. Every bit you do touches souls far apart including mine. You bring such beauty to our world – in reality and this blog space – for me the virtual real lines are blurred anyway. We are all connected through this medium and on the planet, I am so grateful.

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  17. You have so many garden beds! Wow, what an accomplishment!! It’s a lot of manual labor, but really worth it in the end. Funny thing about roses this year, I had the same result – not as many flowering. Looking forward to seeing your spring photos – when the buds come up through all your love and care that you just performed!! Much love! Donna

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    1. You’re right, Donna. I do have a LOT of garden beds! I’m wondering if all the rain we got interfered with our roses this year. I too look forward to see what my Spring flowers look like. I’m seriously contemplating on hiring a reliable garden helper(s) next year. This kind of work is just so hard!! I hope you have a great day today!! xo

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    1. Thank you, Mary. Yes it is a lot of work, which has got me thinking that next year I really would love to have a gardener helper. The age factor is coming into play and doing all this work is a lot more challenging then it used to be. So glad you stopped by to see my efforts on our Paradise. Much love to you! xo

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    1. That’s a big compliment coming from you, Julie! Yes big job! I did the math wrong … I ended using 126 pounds of fertilizer (organic) that stunk so bad I had to wear a mask. Now that is good stuff. (lol) I so do look forward to next Spring to see my efforts come alive before my eyes! xo

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  21. Amazing Amy. Job definitely well done. I love your yard and how well loved your gardens are. What a difference it makes when we love on our plants. They will always love us back, continuously. 💚

    Our roses bloomed again and again this year as well. I kept being shocked by how many blooms they were producing. Absolutely beautiful! I think here it was the increase in summer temperatures.

    Enjoyed the photos so much. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I do hope you are recovering from all the hard work. All my love to you and yours! 🤗

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    1. Holly, I am recovering from all the hard work. Thank you. I do believe I will look into hiring a gardener helper next year, someone who would be open to learn from me. I take care of my plants a certain way the most important being, I love them.
      So happy you enjoyed my images. Now we wait to see what happens next Spring. (smile)
      Much love to you and yours!! Have a great Monday!! xo

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      1. That sounds like a wonderful idea, my friend! Especially if you could find someone who was a bit ‘green’ (no pun intended, haha) but was eager to learn how to care for plants. What a blessing that would be for you both! I pray you find the perfect fit for your needs 🤗

        I did absolutely love your images. I always do! Your beautiful art always makes my day!

        I pray all of God’s best blessings for you dearest Amy. Sending you bunches of love ❤

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    1. This may be the last year I do this kind of work, Sylvia, to be honest with you. I really would love to hire someone or a group who could help me and who would be open to the wisdom I have attained over the years in the way I care for my gardens. I have been relaxing, recovering so to speak but still insisting on getting to the gym and getting my walks in with camera in hand. Bless you for your words of praise. xo

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    1. Next year, Sue, I have every intention of hiring someone or a group of people to assist me with my gardens. I am envisioning someone who will listen, be open, to what I have learned and who respects Mother as I do. You know how hard this kind of work is. I honestly don’t know if I can do it again. SO happy you saw my Labor of Love I put into my gardens. I so look forward to Spring and Summer to see the fruits of my efforts. Much love to you!! xo

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      1. I know Amy as we have been hard at it too on our plot and within our own garden.. So I so know the love you pour into it.. I still have some bulbs to put into my patio tubs and will look forward to Spring to see the results.. ❤ Hugs my friend ❤

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