This has been my summer to learn how to conquer yard work. It has never seemed as difficult as it has been this year …. And I still have two months or more to go!! I started early and decided it was time to trim my hedges. The plant is known as Variegated Chinese Privet or Ligustrum sinensis ‘Variegata’. In just reading about it to be sure I spelled this information correctly it was noted as a fast grower, growing 4-6 feet tall and equal in width.
Hedges to be Trimmed
I would like to add my two cents on this statement. The hedges that I trimmed were at least 12 to 15 feet above my fence! I trimmed these back to below the fence line and they have already reached a substantial 3 feet above the fence! I have more of these lovelies (do not get me wrong, they are beautiful bushes/trees) in another area of my front yard and they have grown past my second floor bedroom window. I think it is fair to say they grow much higher than 6 feet. This pivet would be a welcomed addition to any yard. It is especially great as it grows in full or partial sun. However, if you choose this hedge, be sure you own a very aggressive hedge trimmer or you have a good tree saw (or a landscape service)! As my “hedge” had grown to a height of about 15 feet I chose to tackle the project with my trusty tree saw. These hedges grow many limbs from each plant. You will want to keep them trimmed back as they tend to get bare on the bottom if you do not. I have 18 of these hedges along the fence in my backyard, each with approximately 6 offshoots. I hope this gives you the picture of a totally overwhelming project for a 64 year old retired, single grandma! Needless to say, I have never met a task that I was not willing to tackle and this was not going to be the first time. I did start out with the hedge trimmer, but soon discovered this was too big of a job for that. So I resorted to my tree saw and worked on cutting each limb. Now my job was complicated somewhat as I live in Georgia and we are overtaken in the summer by a plant called kudzu. It has a way of winding its way into your yard and throughout your trees and bushes. You really have to keep an eye out for it. I was just reading that kudzu came over from Japan and now covers over 7 million acres of the southeastern United States. I am blessed with a lot of aggressive plants.
Kudzu Covered House
As I would cut down a limb I would pull it down and put it in a pile. In some cases the growth was entangled with other branches and this was no easy job. And then when you throw kudzu into the mix of things it got really hard! One time I had cut the limb at the bottom and was trying hard to pull it down and the kudsu had tightly wound itself throughout the top of the branch. I backed up and pulled with all my might and after a few moments it loosened, and then loosened some more and before I knew it I was traveling at a pretty quick pace backwards in my yard. I hung on for dear life and had visions of what lay behind me. I was either going to fall just short of my concrete patio, or land in the blackberry bushes around my bird feeders. With a loud oomph I landed flat on my back just short of the patio. This is where I must tell you, that if you are going to do these tasks, you have to approach them with a sense of humor. I laid there flat on my back laughing. Thankfully my yard is quite private and no one had caught sight of my antics. Laughter truly is the best medicine. Another word of advice I would like to offer is make sure you have your cell phone in your pocket. You never know when you might need to call for help. I learned that lesson one year as I was on a ladder cleaning out my gutters and the ladder decided to fall to the ground. My life crossed before my eyes as I fell to a standing position with the ladder sort of wrapped around my legs. Other than an increased heart rate and scrapes and bruises I was okay. But the thought crossed my mind that if I had fallen on the ground and been unable to get up no one would have known I was there. My family was out of town and would be gone for days. Hence, my advice about carrying your cell phone at all times. The hedges got trimmed and they have grown back beautifully filling in on the bottom. No matter how hard I try to keep these under control, it seems to be a full time job. Before the summer is over they will need trimming again. I have learned a lot about how to conquer yard work this summer. As this article has become quite lengthy, I will be back shortly to tell you about my bout with poison ivy and a run away lawnmower! The most important tool you need to conquer yard work is the ability to laugh at yourself. Heaven knows I will be a stand-up comic by the time this summer draws to a close! Keep Smiling, Judy Email: judyconwaymarketing@gmail.com http://homebusinessinatlanta.com http://beadazzledejewelrycreations.com http://fullservicemarketingtools.com Skype ID: judy.conway
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