This is one of those posts where we also show the bad things that happen. The rains we've had over the last weeks have finally ended. And we do mean weeks...I think our area went more than 30 days straight with rain. No flooding of course now that it has finally stopped, the damage has been done.
The farm is mud and standing water EVERYWHERE. Whatever happened to the mower happened during mowing sessions, I might have gotten water in it somehow. It is still in the shop and I haven't been able to mow in over three weeks now.
This weekend will be four weeks and that long without the zen machine leads to this...
...the yard is rapidly spiraling out of control. This is one side of the garden fence. Even the trees have encroached and they are mesquite, covered in thorns.
This is the side yard under "Barnabas" (our really old mesquite tree beside the house). Normally you can walk under this. We're not sure where the grass/weeds end and the tree begins, ha.
Then I went to open the gate to the garden and it fell off the hinges and into the mud. The wood was so saturated with water, the screws wouldn't hold in anymore. I'm hoping that once it's dried up, I'll just be able to shoot some new screws in and fix it. But for now, it's leaning against the opening and being propped up with bricks.
And now for the real horror story...
...the garden. Look at all the standing water.. Sure this part (the unused side) doesn't look TOO bad but you can see some weeds growing in the back.
But here is the other side...
...YIKES!!!
The front two beds are unused this season but a month ago, they were almost weed free. Now they are FILLED with weeds. Also grass growing all around the outside of the beds that are being used.
What a mess.
We kind of think for the garden, we'll just keep harvesting as long as it produces and then I'll just leave the mess until the Fall when the whether is cooler. It'll be easier to pull the weeds out and get the beds clean.
For those who might remember that we recently ordered our garlic for Fall planting, there are two beds at the back of the garden that are still covered up and ready to go as soon as we need them. I planned ahead so if there was a delay, I'd be able to get those planted.
As for the yard, we're not quite sure what to do there. The mower should be back this week. We've thought about paying someone to mow it but can't decide. I could ask to borrow "R's" mower, but that's asking a lot (not to mention my track record of mud and mowers, ha). I think if the mower is working fine, since we aren't supposed to have any rain this week, it should be nice and dry and hopefully I can mow. I might just do the driveway and yard around the house and shed and wait on the trails until the Fall when it's easier to mow. We'll just have to see how it goes.
It's overwhelming at times but we'll get through it. It's what we signed up for when we went on this journey. Things come up and stuff happens.
That's just terrible for you, but I suppose it could be worse. No suggestions as to how to handle the mess. I do hope that it does not rain on the farm this week, Roderick.
ReplyDeleteThank you Roderick, we always appreciate your kind words!
Deleteugh...i'm so sorry. but i am sure you will get it back to perfection soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, not sure about perfection and soon but we'll see how it goes, ha.
DeleteActually, weeds will be easier now as they practically jump out of the ground when the ground is so wet. Does the mower place supply loaners? At least nothing will burn down around there due to dry conditions.
ReplyDeleteAlso, things will have disbursed seeds in fall and seeds from weeds will be in the soil for next year.
DeleteGood point, I will have to remember that. Just so hot, ugh. But yeah they will pull out easily. I will see what I can do this weekend, maybe just to make at least a dent in it, ha. We don't want more weeds that for sure.
DeleteI relate to the mess. Our rain hasn't stopped, but it's slowed down a bit. My backyard is so muddy and I think the standing water has killed some of my new and very-much-loved flowers.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Oh man I know you loved your flowers, sorry about that. We just need the rain to take a break here and there! Hang in there!
DeleteI’m not sure which weather forecaster you follow but we are expecting storms this evening and a high chance of rain tomorrow and Wednesday. But on the bright side it’s suppose to be sunny starting this weekend and up to a balmy 98 by the end of next week. That should dry you out. I did not garden this year, in fact I’ve dismantled my raised beds and let the grass grow back. It beat me. I’ll give my $’s to the farmers markets.
ReplyDeleteYeah, when I was typing that the weather was not going to be bad. But yep, rain, at least here in town tonight. I kept checking the radar out there and it didn't look so bad out there. We always joke that there seems to be a "bubble" or "dome" that keeps some of the worst stuff away, ha.
DeleteI am not ready to give up the garden until we're out there to at least try it in person for a bit. But yeah, farmers markets are a good way to use our grocery store dollars for sure. :-)
Wow, the extended rains really did a number on your Farm!
ReplyDeleteHoping your garden gate is just waterlogged and not rotten by the continued moisture. And your poor garden and yard has been invaded by grass and weeds.
Does someone in 2nd Family have a small tractor and a shredder? With Wild Nature encroaching so abundantly, your yard may need bigger, more powerful equipment.
This kind of reminds me of that TV program “Life After People” that shows what might happen if mankind disappeared from Earth.
OH MY GOSH, we loved that show, "Life After People" I had forgotten about that. Yep, definitely. I think the gate will be fine with some new screws but the fence is showing its age for sure. The beds still look good but the fencing is reaching the end of its life too.
DeleteI had hoped they had a small machine that might work but they don't. Of course, their back pasture is getting out of control too, I maybe have to see what they end up doing. Their mower is way more powerful than ours so it could be that we do, somehow, end up using that. We'll see!!
My heart goes out to you; as I have been in that situation myself.......Just no fun. Why is it that the weeds grow faster than anything else?
ReplyDeleteMaybe next year you may want to put some other covering underneath your weed block fabric over your unused raised beds. Something like heavy cardboard, empty mulch bags,; anything to help keep most of the weeds out of your unused beds.
I know it's all overwhelming at the moment, but for time being; take it one day at a time and do what you can; when you can. I feel; things could always be worse.
There's always a rainbow after the rain........better days ahead.
Hopefully your mower will be delivered by this weekend and that it doesn't cost you Big Bucks and nothing to serious was wrong with it.
Take care and have a wonderful week.
thank you, there is always a rainbow for sure. Good to remember. Yeah, I think once I get it cleaned up (the beds) I will cover them and put something under first, cardboard is a good idea since it breaks down.
DeleteWeeds grow like crazy don't they? Why can't all plants grow like that, ha.
Thanks again1
Full steam ahead!
Oy! I feel your pain. I live in South Carolina, and we've had torrential rains off and on for several weeks. My husband was able to mow the yard this weekend just before another downpour. You could practically see the grass and weeds growing afterwards. Oh, well . . .
ReplyDeleteDoes the lawn repair place rent weed-whackers or small chain saws? You might be able to reclaim some of the pathways in the 2nd photo on foot, whack around the raised beds to reduce the seeds.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is better to whack the weeds before they go to seed or before they have dropped even more seeds. This is what they wait for, one good growing season produce 10x the normal seed quantities. Nature's way of getting them thru marginal growing seasons.
I have been dealing with rain and a broken mower too. Self-propelled transmission was replaced, but I didn't get the oil leak fixed. Mowed Saturday successfully. The leak looks worse. Sounds like an easy choice, but tearing the engine down to replace a seal (that's the diagnosis) would take some time and $$. At this point I am in wait and see mode.
Hope your mower returns ready to get to work and that the weather will cooperate too.
M in NC
I never leave a comment, but greatly enjoy following your farming journey. This post was so discouraging - I'm sure you're beside yourselves with the many issues that have to be dealt with. Don't let those weeds go to seed before you pull them! The seeds will be in the beds ready to spring up next year! Even if it's raining when you're next there, I'd go out and pull, pull, pull! The good thing is, with so much rain they'll be a breeze to pull out by complete root systems. Always trying to find a silver lining, that's me! LOL Best of luck to you.
ReplyDeleteSending love. 💕
ReplyDelete