Finally, Planting!

Okey dokey my blogger friends. Last year I let you in on my master landscape plan. Now it's time to update on what we were up to all summer. What better way to warm up on a cold day like today than to think about landscaping?! ha ha

I started with the trees and shrubs (although other projects seemed to keep popping up). I had the yard graded away from the house for proper drainage (at $85/hr this only cost me $170.00), and had the local utility companies mark any underground gas and power lines.

I placed my order with a local tree nursery so my order was ready for me to pick up. It's a small time saver but it was less hassle than walking through the nursery myself, picking each item. Cause I'm lazy like that.

I made myself a "planting map" complete with measurements from the property lines and the spacing between each plant. Of course, all of these trees and shrubs will grow to be quite large so, the spacing will look a bit odd at first. It's important, though, to make sure they all have room to grow based on their expected spread, or you may end up overcrowding your plants. It's not pretty, (or proportionate ha ha) but here's my map:

As we measured, I marked the location of each plant with marker paint (such a clever can, that can be held upside down).

I bought a couple of spades and Mr. Mel and my strapping nephew, AJ, got to work. It took us a few more weeks to get them all done but we ended up planting 55 trees and shrubs. FIFTY FIVE! That's alot of holes, people!

After the delay of a few weeks due to monsoon-like rain, we were able to get to work on the front yard.

We had the yard graded and had to bring in 20 yards of topsoil to bring up the grade (our yard had to be brought up about 5"). The topsoil was an investment we didn't think we'd have to make right away, but I'm glad we have it done. One less thing to do down the road! The patch of bare ground near the front of the yard is a ditch area where I didn't want to waste $ putting in topsoil for now. The top of the yard, nearest the house, was left bare for my patio block project.

I can't wait for spring to see how many of my plants survived our brutal winter. I also have landscaping updates a couple of projects on deck for the front yard once the snow melts, stay tuned for that!

What we planted: 

• Swedish Aspen
• French Lilac
• Greenspire Linden
• Tower Poplar
• Sugar Maple
• Colorado Blue Spruce
• Brandon Cedar
• Golden Ninebark
• Goldenrod Potentilla
• Little Kim Lilac
• Tinkerbelle Lilac
• Snowbelle Mock Orange
• Red Leaf Barberry
• Thunderchild Flowering Crab
• Autumn Blaze Maple
• Russian Almond
• White Cedar
• Alpine Currant
• Medora Juniper

Spring Cleaning

It's coming! After a long and cold winter, spring is set to arrive March 20th.

I've never been much of a spring cleaner but, let's face it, we overlook things as we do our routine household cleaning and that dust and grime can build up over time. I tend to adopt the "outta sight, outta mind" approach most of the time but, this year, I'm going to get the house ship shape from top to bottom. A clean home will rejuvenate and refresh your mind and spirit, just in time to welcome a change of season and all that spring and summer sunshine.

Here are my room by room checklists to get the abode sparking clean:

Kitchen:

• Dust walls, floor to ceiling
• Vacuum and wipe tops of upper cabinets
• Wipe doors and drawer fronts of all upper and lower cabinets
• Wipe out all cupboards and drawers
• Wash backsplash - sometimes we miss all those little splatters that end up here
• Clean out fridge and freezer - toss all expired items and wash shelving and drawers
• Wash all return air vents and register covers
• Wipe down light switch and outlet covers
• Wipe down light fixtures - make sure they are turned off and cool first!
• Run your dishwasher empty - use vinegar and baking soda to get it extra clean
• Wipe down front of fridge and dishwasher
• Clean oven, stove top and remove knobs, burners and spill catchers and clean
• Wash out microwave - don't forget to the inside top, we sometimes miss this spot
• Wash windows and window sills
• Change or clean and replace grease filter on range hood fan
• Wipe counter tops
• Vacuum/sweep and mop floors

Bathrooms:

• Dust walls, floor to ceiling
• Wipe doors and drawer fronts of vanity
• Wipe out cupboards and drawers
• Wipe down light switch and outlet covers
• Wash all return air vents and register covers
• Clean mirror
• Clean toilet, inside and out - be sure to get the base as we often miss this
• Wipe counter top, sink, and taps
• Clean tub and surround
• Clean shower - use a soap scum/water stain busting cleaner where required
• Wipe glass shower doors - if you use a shower curtain, wash or replace this
• Wipe down light fixtures
• Vacuum/sweep and mop floors

Living Area:

• Dust walls, floor to ceiling
• Dust all wall hangings/pictures/artwork
• Wipe down light switch and outlet covers
• Wash all return air vents and register covers
• Wash and iron all drapes, and rehang
• Wash windows and window sills
• Wipe down all light fixtures/lamps
• Dust/wipe down all knick-knacks
• Vacuum sofa, chairs, and accent pillows - spot clean where necessary
• Dust/wipe down all accent tables and entertainment unit, including stereo equipment
• Vacuum/sweep floors, use Bona cleaner on all hardwood

Dining Room:

• Dust walls, floor to ceiling
• Dust all wall hangings/pictures/artwork
• Wipe down light switch and outlet covers
• Wash all return air vents and register covers
• Wash and iron all drapes, and rehang
• Wash windows and window sills
• Wipe down all light fixtures
• Dust top and inside shelves of china cabinet
• Vacuum and spot clean upholstery on dining chairs
• Clean table and china cabinet with mild solution of Murphy's Oil Soap
• Clean glass in french entry doors

Bedroom:

• Dust walls, floor to ceiling
• Dust all wall hangings/pictures/artwork
• Wipe down light switch and outlet covers
• Wash all return air vents and register covers
• Wash and iron all drapes, and rehang
• Wash windows and window sills
• Wipe down all light fixtures and lamps
• Vacuum mattress and flip over
• Wash all bedding, comforters/coverlets, pillows
• Vacuum accent pillows
• Wipe all dressers, nightstands, accent furniture
• Vacuum side chair
• Vacuum floors - don't forget under the bed!

Misc:

• Wipe down all baseboards and door and window casing
• Touch up paint
• Make a note as you complete each room of any repairs that are necessary. Do these right away so you don't forget, or hire a repairman.
• Clean out that closet! Donate what you no longer need/want, and properly store the rest
• Wipe down all interior doors, front and back

I hope my lists help you as you do your spring freshen-up! Happy scrubbing!