I did it, thanks to you guys!

[Raven]

I got down and very dirty in my overgrown mess of a garden and with a hand tiller turned over every inch of soil and got rid of every weed. Tomorrow I'm going to plant.

I have 2 labradoodles, Tinker and Shelta. Shelta is a pain in the ass because she likes to lay down in the path of the tiller and see how close I come to wacking her. But Tink has been my assistant in this endeavor. She watched me hack out these big clumps of weeds and then shake the dirt off them. She loved the idea so I started handing her the clumps and she shakes every bit of dirt off and then races off into the woods to hide the weed clump.

Anyway, I'm thrilled I've accomplished this and am grateful for the encouragement I received here. :-)

BTW, this garden is about 500 square feet so this was no small task for this old lady!

[Kolesar]

1. The Tink story is cute! ... eom

[wildeyed]

2. Yay!

Wish I could get that motivated.

[beac]

3. Congratulations!

Wish I could teach my dog to help in the garden. So far, his only "green paw" inclination is trying to pee on my emerging gladiolas. :(

[dgibby]

4. You go girl!

Nice to have such a good helper! My dogs are only good for digging up what I just planted, ergo the need for a fence.

I wouldn't have been able to have a garden this year without the assistance of the young man who's been mowing my lawn since he was 13. He's 21 now, with a wife and children, but he still helps me out.

He's so funny. Whenever he comes over, he heads to the garden to inspect all his handiwork, and check out "our" garden. I thought he'd have a stroke when he found a dead blueberry bush! It's nice to see him take pride in his accomplishments, especially since gardening wasn't high on his list of fun things to do. Of course, it's moved up quite a few notches since all the plants started growing. I think he's gotten the bug!

Anyway, congrats on getting your garden cleaned up. Gardening's like old age---it ain't for sissies!

[lizziegrace]

5. You inspire me!

I have overgrown flower beds, minimal resources, back problems, tendinitis and fibromyalgia. Oh, and 3 acres to mow. I need to get some done every day.

You've inspired me to try and not give up.

:)

[NEOhiodemocrat]

6. You should rent out Tinker!

Sounds like a big helper. I have four cat who "help". Unfortunately it is most in the form of digging holes and fertilizing. Good luck with your garden.