Lilies: Lily Blooms 2012, 1 by DonnaMack

DonnaMack wrote:
I know this is off topic, but yes, I hear you. I removed the grass with two applications of Roundup on windless days 3 days apart. Then I rented a 9hp hydraulic tiller. I went to A-Z Rental and they showed me a bunch of them. It turns out that the bigger and more powerful a tiller, the better the job it does. But turning it is ugly. You actually have to lift the rear to do it. Weighs a ton. But they were really cool. A nice young man (a term you use when you are aging) was kind enough to start it up and demonstrate its use. Better yet, he had the patience to let me write it down. I completed the work in 20 minutes. My forearms are trash, but I feel very macho (people were clapping and cheering as they drove by watching a 120 woman grappling with a huge machine). Delivery and pick-up was $5.00! It cost me $60 total.

Someone suggested I hire someone to do it. Right! I've run into those guys who'll help the little lady. First, they want you to pay for an all day rental (that way, they can scout out its use on other properties besides yours, and collect the rental fee from each client). Then there is their time: $45 bucks an hour. Yeah, yeah...

Yes, a little hard on the back and forearms. But I broke the task down over several days. And I got major points from the hunky fireman across the street. He sia "WOW! Did you hire someone to do that!" And I got bragging rights.

There are two firemen on my street. Good looks must be a requirement for the position.

Now I'm having a garden center where I do business deliver some top soil. I'll spread it myself. Then I'll tamp it down with board, seed it, cover it with hay and water it.

Probably saved myself $200 bucks.

Back on topic, I am in the process of moving around some of my lilies. Lots of White Henryis and Emerald Temples got mislabeled, and I am moving them into shade where they thrive, and moving some bulbs from semi shade to sun.

This White Henryi has been in full shade for almost 2 years! It was a tiny tribute to a friend's darling cat, Smoky, who is buried beneath it.