So I figured it out!!!!Yay! This first picture is the after. This took about 2 hours to get done!

And this, is the before. As you can see... there was a big mess that definately needed to be cleaned up. 

Lucky

So, I have added Lucky as my profile picture... because who looks better than him. Plus, he insisted that he is the star of the show! Who can argue with such logic. I am trying to uplaod before and after pics but apparently I am very google illiterate. I can't figure it out. Eventually I will.
I do however have news on the progress. So finally, the whole back yard is now weed free!!!! And I ventured as far as planting new rose bushes in a small garden bed in the frornt yard. I also threw down some sunflower seeds. I guess we will see what happens next.
For my tip of the day.... I have found a wonderful tool called the Hound Dog. It is a hand tiller and works great for turning soil and removing weeds. It is the perfect size for working in my garden. I guess if you had to do a large area you would be working in small sections. All I can say is that it really works and cut the weeding time for me. So, till next time!

Day 2

So in reality day two was on Friday! I cleaned out another part of the backyard. I ended up leaving like half of that undone. I swear the weeds were so hard to pull out. My husband had to do it. I don't remember giving the regular plants any kind of vitamins or nutrients or whatever you call it! So my next lesson learned and passed on.... Pull the weeds early!!!!! As soon as you see one of those little suckers take it out or they take over.

Well, so on Saturday, which would be day 3... My husband planted an orange tree and a tangerine tree. So apparently on his side he's trying to grow an orchard or something. I don't know, but there appears to be a his and her side to that back yard! Not that I am complaining or anything:) so this week, I hope to make it out there at least a couple of hours and start to really prepare the soil for planting. I hope to post pictures with all the before and afters. It will be kind of scary, but I hope the afters make up for it. Write you later!

Day 1 part duex

So here we are at the end of day 1. I think I should mention that I am by no means an experienced gardner... Neither is lucky! Fortunately for him, he has taken a supervisor role. I on the other hand am stuck with all the work.
I now remember what about gardening I am not fond of, bugs and critters. Sadly they are a big part of it all. I know they have jobs but can't they all be more appealing to the eye? Just saying!
So I think I should also mention that most of my garden will probably be bought at some nursery or garden store. So if ever there is a true hardcore Gardner that reads this...sorry! I guess this is where I have to start. Maybe someday I'll be able to start seeds. I did it with basil but it takes so much patience. Right now I am into instant gratification! I want results now. But before we get there i have to clean out the weeds and over growth. I managed to get the flower bed done. I just need the rest of the yard... Just for uniformity. It would be a shame to have a really nice garden on one side and the other side looking like an abandoned lot!
I haven't decided exactly what to grow, but I think I will go with mostly veggies and herbs. I have lots of magazines with really good ideas so maybe this weekend while I am at work I'll go through them and decide what looks and grows best here. I think that's the first tip I learned, find what grows best in your area. I pass on the wisdom....until next time. Write you soon!

Day 1

So today I decided to start cleaning out the flower bed in my backyard. In theory this will become a vegetable garden. The only reason I am now starting a blog is a selfish one. I figure if I promise to write and maybe have someone read it, then I may be more likely to follow through! Well I guess we'll see how that turns out! It really started out because I posted a question on a website and that resulted in a little article. ( Yay me!) So here I go.
The only being who knows any of this is going on is my dog Lucky. Poor thing, he'll be so tired of me. He usually has the backyard to himself. I actually noticed he likes to tan, as he lies in the sun most days! No worries he has lots of shade he just prefers sun...as a true Californian should.
So off we go, Lucky and I, on our gardening adventure.... See you (or you read me) along the way:)