I complained in my previous post about the cold and snowy weather that we've had. We tried to work around it the best we could and are just so happy that we got so much done the previous weekend. It's frustrating when you have the time and the supplies but don't have the weather. I'm sure we could have gotten everything finished by the end of this weekend had it not been record breaking cold weather. But enough of the complaining, instead I'll focus on what we did get accomplished over the last several days.
We have one of the grow lights up (and a heat mat) and started seeds on February 22. Within two days we had seeds germinating, including the tomatoes and cantaloupe seeds from
Diana. After this picture was taken we started 2 types of Sweet Peas, and Dahlia seeds from
Alison. All four of us have been checking on the seeds on a regular basis. I plan to get more started in another week or two.
A few days ago knowing it would be too cold to work outside, we thought we'd paint picket panels inside the garage. We got almost 4 done and decided it was just too cold for that.
We awoke to snow on Friday. So of course we thought we'd start putting up the panels. Doesn't everyone go out and start putting a fence together in 30 degree weather? We got a few panels up and decided that would be enough.
At the end of Friday we'd put up three panels. Saturday we worked in the cold again and got three more panels installed. Actually two of those had to be custom built by my husband because the slope was too steep to use the premade panels.
And this is how it looks right now. I'm very excited with how it's turning out. The slope on the far side of the yard made for lots of challenges getting the fence installed. Our yard slopes down to the sidewalk and then down to the left when you face our house.
The view from the "court yard". Soon there will be a gate and arbor where the tall posts are.
Today it was in the low 40's while we worked. It was surprising just how warm that felt after the last few days we worked outside. The rain started pouring after we finished today. I can't wait until the whole fence is painted.
If all goes well next weekend we hope to get the last panel in, the two gates up and the soil in the beds. We're still hoping we can have it all finished before the in-laws are here the weekend after that. The fence painting will have to wait for a couple of months or until we get some warmer and drier weather.
All words and photos property of
A Gardener in Progress.
I love that fence!
ReplyDeleteIt blows me away how much you got accomplished in the freezing cold. It looks great! Honestly, I can't imagine to work outside in the temperatures that you were having, but maybe I am just a Southern California chicken ;-)! Good luck for finishing this big project!
ReplyDeleteChristina
Excellent progress! You both deserve a medal! I love the style of the fence you chose and the white painted panels look absolutely perfect against the blue and white paint and finishes on your home! I can understand just how impatient you are to get it all done - I'm the same when it comes to tackling new projects. But, as you say, if the weather won't co-operate there's not much you can do to fight it. But you certainly braved unbelievably icy elements this past weekend. It's all looking so good, Catherine & I'm crossing fingers you'll manage to get all of it finished in time for 'the big visit' :)
ReplyDeleteIt's looking good! Well done. You are working so hard, it's going to look great when it's all painted. Of course, the rain is back now with a vengeance!
ReplyDeleteLove the picket fence! We put up something similar around our garden last year. It makes a nice addition.
ReplyDeleteIt's looking wonderful - what a lot of work!
ReplyDeleteCatherine,
ReplyDeleteThe fence looks great! I bought a electric sprayer for $200 at Lowes, you plug it in and full the quart jar, those panels it would take 2-3 minutes tops to paint, more time is needed to lay plastic under the panels. Grade can be a lot of trouble for pre made panels as you have learned, still it is a fine job your doing. Be sure to do the arbor right away as the posts that want to twist and bend are always the most important ones.
BTW I'm fairly sure the link that Darla gave me had some of your stolen posts on it.
My goodness ya'll work fast no matter the weather. It looks so good Catherine!
ReplyDeleteDear Catherine, Your front garden is certainly becoming a real labour of love. All weathers and all conditions and yet you steadfastly go on. All credit to you and how well it is all looking. I am sure that you are excited to see the finishing stages on the not too distant horizon!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness we did the exact same thing last year and our pickets look just like yours too! We made our picket fence in the basement painting, painting, painting all Winter long and then when it was nice enough out - our fence went up in a matter of days! Yours looks fantastic, congratulations I KNOW it's a lot of hard work!
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be lovely... can't wait to see the finished product! Larry
ReplyDeleteCatherine ~ How wonderful and cottagey it looks, I LOVE it and I know you and your whole family do to. If I drove down your street, I'd have to slow down to oooh and aaah. You guys are doing a terrific job and are such an inspiration to your neighborhood, and to all of us here in blogland.
ReplyDeleteHugs ~ FlowerLady
It looks great. Working in the snow is probably kinda messy but if you can do this while the garden is most "asleep" you'll be ready for everything growing.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, the fence looks wonderful. I can't believe how much you have both done in yucky weather. What an entrance this will be for your garden!
ReplyDeleteEileen
Hi Catherine, The fence is great! I know you are so excited about how good it is looking. Hope you enjoy your day.
ReplyDeleteIt's looking good! Can't wait to see the finished fence and arbor all put together!
ReplyDeletethe fence is looking wonderful...what Curb Appeal it gives and once it is all planted..wow!!
ReplyDeleteYour fence looks great, Catherine! I can't wait to see your front garden this spring and summer. I love the wide angle shots that show what we'd see if we were standing on the sidewalk. By the way, I know you have an interest in birds. My friend told me about a live eagle cam. There are "mom" and "dad" and so far, two eggs. They take turns sitting on the eggs. Here is the link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles
ReplyDeleteHave a great week, Catherine!
Blessings, Beth
It's looking wonderful, very neat, and gardeny.
ReplyDeleteWhat a job, but well worth it in the end.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
I love it Catherine. Great job. It will be so pretty with all the blooms this year. Good feeling to get that kind of stuff accomplished.
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to hammer with mittens on. LOL! Catherine it is taking shape and looking so good. Tell the littlest gardener to get out the paint brush. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWell we didn't get any snow down here over the past 4 days..unless you were above at lest 500 feet.. BUT it was to cold to work outside..there was snow again earlier this morning around that elevation and calling for the same tonight..
ReplyDeleteTHE FRONT GARDEN is looking good..
Will's chips
How fabulous. To me a white picket fence is so American!! It really makes a statement. I bet your neighbous thought you were mad out there in the snow
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you did that in the snow, too funny. We had MUCH less snow than you, and wimped out, clutching our coffee cups indoors where it was warm! Your fence is looking fantastic though, and you can tell from the painted panels that will go beautifully with the house when you're done. Ok, now I feel the need to go outside and do something industrious! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteOhmygosh, it looks awesome. I can see the rabbit you bought at the garden show down by the raised beds. Beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteBeth - Thanks for that link. Very interesting. I'm going to show it to my oldest daughter when she gets home.
ReplyDeleteI love the fence...charming. Will you leave the post natural? I cannot believe you were working out in the cold and snow. What a labor of love!
ReplyDeleteBonnie - Thanks :) We'll paint the posts white as well. Since they were already in we couldn't get any painted at the same time.
ReplyDeleteBravo Catherine! Fabulous work. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThat is truly awesome job you guys are doing. I wish my husband and I were so motivated.
ReplyDeleteA job well done! I'm eager to see the gate and arbor finished (as I am sure you are, too!). :) ~~Rhonda
ReplyDeleteAmazing progress, it's looking great, well done! Christina
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys even got snow over there. We were down below zero towards the end of last week, thank heaven it snowed first to protect the plants a bit. Still plenty of snow, but it's melting a bit each day. Great fence!
ReplyDeleteYou and your husband are amazingly industrious and it looks fabulous! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteI love your fence! Thank you so much for sharing. It is so nice to see your progress and fantasize about my own spring. I am still buried under snow so it is nice to see someone who is able to do some garden work.
ReplyDeleteIt really looks lovely, and hey, I think now is the perfect time to be doing non plant related stuff. I wish I could get more motivated in the wintertime...
ReplyDeletemy gosh, big changes at your house! you are so inspired and creative. the fence looks great already. can't wait to see a repeat of the across-the-street shot in summer!
ReplyDeleteIt's really coming along!! It looks great :)
ReplyDeleteWow, you really did have some cold weather to try to work in! That would be frustrating. I hope the weather warms up for us soon.
ReplyDeleteI love how your yard is shaping up!