Garden WorkZ - 2

Last weekend (father's day) the dogs gave me a giant bamboo. Maybe not a giant plant yet, but one that will eventually grow to be huge. The canes (or is it trunks in Bamboo speak?) will get up to 4" thick. Pretty big for a grass.

A few days ago I did prep the spot in the backyard for this new addition. Moved tons (felt like it) of gravel out of the way and replaced it with a good mix of mulch from the compost. Bamboo went into the ground. For the first few days it did not look too healthy, but this morning, I've noticed that it has grown well over 2 inches just since yesterday lunch. There's still hope!

Since it was yard work day, I also tried to be a good citizen (eh, resident) and cleaned out all the English Ivy under the Holly tree. According to King County both English Ivy and Holly are deemed to be invasive plants and are to be removed. Both plants thrive, choking out everything else. But for us, the Holly stays. It is a big and beautiful tree that provides a good screen towards our neighbors (not that we don't like them but we also like a green, lush, private backyard). In case we ever change our minds and decide to go for the English Ivy style, I'm sure it will have no problems "catching a root" later on.

Once the Ivy was gone (about three full yard bins), the area really opened up. It was sort of a blocked off corner of the yard, but both humans and dogs can now wander there freely.

Next project will be to consider if to dig a well or not. People think it rains in Seattle all the time, but that is certainly not true. Summers are mostly bone dry and water can actually be an issue. On top of that, irrigation water in the summer is pricey and many - us included - let their lawns sort of go brown during the summer.
We have a corner of the backyard that traditionally have bene a bit wet and swampy. Previous onwer installed a long drain down to the street. I'm thinking of digging a deep well and lining with concrete pipes. The water can be better used in the yard than just "drained away". Stay tuned.