Where did all the gardeners go? I have been frantically trying to finish my projects before hand surgery on Tuesday, tomorrow should be the end of it - so here is my report for the week.

Last week I reported removing a huge patch of lily of the valley - Saturday it was replaced with a half dozen beautiful hostas rescued from where they were misplaced around the yard, and lots of lovely mulch, creating a serene little oasis in the center of a 100' back fence garden. While I was planting, a colleague came and dug many misplaced and/or exuberant native plants from around the yard to populate one of the educational gardens at her school district, leaving more calming spaces and showing off some of the unique plants I have acquired over the past 30 years.

And after I saw how lovely it looked, I couldn't help myself! Next to the lily of the valley spot, the 10' X 15' overgrown patch of ditch lilies (aka common orange daylilies) mixed with common purple iris and bee balm, all in a tangle, just had to go. Tuesday I dug and pulled and hauled for over 5 hours - taking out a large compost container-full and 3 - 35 gallon bags unwanted of plants. There must be a special place in gardener hades for people who plant these aggressive buggers in the middle of a suburban garden - even for free, you can't give them away around here.

Yesterday, I scouted my gardens and found a dozen filler plants, then made a quick trip to 3 of my favorite outdoor garden centers and found a half dozen new plants to add. I came home and started planting, but before I finished the job, my body said "no more." So today I will add the last few plants.

While I was doing all of that, my gardening fairy (aka the girl next door) was weeding, Preening and laying down mulch - 75 bags worth - or 6 cubic yards. What a worker she is! Her Dad stopped over to admire the renovation, and commented "I've never seen bare ground in your garden since we lived here" - 22 years...

The adventure will end tomorrow with a (safe) visit from my grandsons and daughters, during which the 4 year old will get to help his auntie repot a bunch of rescued houseplants, and help me plant some marigolds in a stump in our yard - he's been bugging his Mom to let him plant something for weeks. Auntie has found a plastic pot in her collection, so he'll be able to take a plant home too - you can't plant the gardening bug too young!

What is everyone else doing in the garden?

Sue