Perpetual Chore List--Late Spring Edition

As always, there is much to do outside this time of year.

I'm happy to report that I completed nearly everything from my first Perpetual Chore List of the year.

What didn't get done from that has been moved to this new list.

So, without further ado:

1. Reclaim the shade bed!

Here it is in its former glory:

I'm about 1/3 of the way done with this beastly project. You see, I had a lovely little shade bed with a few things growing and coming back consistently. Then last summer happened. We did a lot of work on the shed, which meant that the back walkway was virtually impassable. Nothing got watered--it was a construction zone.

I'll post before and after pics once I'm done.

Spoiler alert: the hostas in the above picture didn't make it.

2. Take care of my houseplants.

I mean, really. It's got to be done sometime.

Probably watering everything would be a good start.

The asparagus fern that I brought inside for the winter is now back outside, but needs to be repotted.

I bought some cyclamen about a month ago to replace some of my other dying houseplants, so I need to get those potted as well.

3. Still haven't gotten that bird bath scrubbed out.

I've decided first I need to make a run to the Dollar Store for a designated scrub-brush.

Remembering to actually do that has been holding up the train a bit on that one.

4. Weed veg garden, till, and plant potatoes, tomatoes, and the rest.

This is called "chitting" the seed potatoes.

Basically, you let the roots grow a bit before planting them.

YES, I'm putting in summer stuff now--I'm hoping by the end of the week.

Crazy talk! I usually wait until after Memorial Day.

However, our spring is at least 2-3 weeks ahead of "normal" weather patterns for this time of year. I'll have to keep a close eye on night temperatures and cover things if it's going to freeze, but we haven't had a frost in over a month now, so I'm optimistic.

5. Purchase plants and put together flower pots for porch, decks, etc.

Yay! This one is always fun!

6. Weed and add compost to strawberries and raspberries.

We've got a lot of blossoms on these plants!

7. Mulch shed bed and back flowerbed.

8. Fill in empty spaces in flowerbeds and around mailbox with annuals.