The Forgetful Gardener...........

I let my garden go somewhat last year. But with the rains we received last week, the ferns are coming up like gangbusters. Oh how I wish that I could send pics of them to a friend that gave them to me! I hate that my camera is down because I want to document the growth of them and my two clematis vines. As much as I ignored them at the end of last summer, they are growing vigorously much to my amazement. Since I planted the clematis back in the spring of 2003, I have forgotten what type they are, but I am still looking at some new ones sold by Wayside Gardens.

I like the Clematis Ville de Lyon, and Clematis Patricia Ann Fretwell. Right now I envision them growing intertwined together up the post of my porch. I had put in a huge border marker for the front garden section of my lawn during that spring, but now I know that I was too ambitious back then, and I will move the border up about two feet. Regarding the curbside portion of my lawn, I have given up trying to grow grass there. The area is too shady, and I am tired of fighting with the little kids down the street when they ride their bikes over the section. So I am going to try to find a source of free wood chips or mulch being offered on Freecycle or Craig's List to cover that area up. Any offers or suggestions?