The Gift Tree

I need to be a frugal gardener because we never had the funds to have a professional landscaper nor did we have funds to purchase pavers, trees or select items. The little pump here was saved from our cousin's house that was being demolished. My husband remembers using it to draw water for the bath. I inserted a regular faucet in it so the water spills out the spout and just recently remade the little rock drainage area around it.

So back to the tree. The little half dead tree in the cracked pot is a gift from dear mother-in-law. Now, I know that to get a gift from her garden is truly a compliment for all of my efforts, so I am touched. But the poor little tree has bust out of its pot and half the leaves are dead, so exactly where do I want to show it off? Front and center garden? If it dies, she will blame me. I have a lot to deal with - bagworms, horrible packed clay soil that's as hard as concrete, a husband who chops things down - and now I have to resurrect this tree to continue winning her approval. As forlorn as it is, I know it is obachan's way of showing appreciation and in this family, it means a lot!

I cleared the weeds and grass under the little maple tree and fixed the drainage area. I used the circular blade cutter to "mow" the lawn because I cannot deal with the miniature lawn mower that my husband purchased. After putting in a grass guard of old tiles, I continued hacking away at sod covered stones until my back couldn't pick up the pick ax any more. There has got to be a better way to do this! But it is glorious to be outdoors - I do not miss my desk job (although I miss the paycheck!) - it is simply glorious.