Labouring on Labour Day
Like a flick of switch, temperatures last week dropped. Fall is definitely in the air and while leaves haven't begun to change colour, it definitely doesn't feel like summer any more. I can't complain too much as conditions working outside are so much better for me: very little humidity and lower temperatures mean I can weed and prune without gulping water every few minutes or having the fear of passing out due to heat exhaustion.
September is also a great time to plant new perennials, shrubs and trees but it's uncommon for me to put in new gardens now as most homeowners don't associate autumn with new plants. The weeding, however, still continues, as this post will show.
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| Koreatown Toronto Summer Garden Cleanup Before |
The client, Cynthia, contacted me to deal with her front garden (located in central Toronto's Koreatown neighbourhood) which is on a slope as shown above. (The picture was taken across the street, to give you a sense of perspective and scale.) It's a little, ahem, "overgrown"! I can only conclude than no weeding occurred at all in 2019 and who knows prior. I think you can make out the boxwood balls in the forefront but most of the rest of the vegetation are weeds.
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| Koreatown Toronto Summer Front Garden Cleanup Before |
Here are some views from the upper tier, looking down towards the street. While the slope wasn't too severe, working while standing on an angle is never easy on the ankles, legs and back. To be honest, I did most of the weeding sitting (and sliding) down.
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| Koreatown Toronto Summer Front Yard Cleanup Before |
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| Koreatown Toronto Summer Garden Cleanup Before |
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| Toronto Front Garden Cleanup in Koreatown Before |
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| Toronto Summer Front Yard Cleanup in Koreatown Before |
This picture shows the path (somewhere hidden) connecting the neighbours, which the mail delivery person must use all down this street.
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| Toronto Summer Garden Cleanup in Koreatown Before |
These next two pictures were taken from the sidewalk, looking up the slope. The Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) saplings, Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola) and Goosefoot (Chenopodium album) are all doing well!
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| Toronto Summer Garden Cleanup in Koreatown Before |
And afterwards....
I kept about half of goldenrod that's flowering now for pollinators but dug out everything else. Those poor hostas below the goldenrods were smothered previously. I can almost hear them now sigh in relief!
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| Koreatown Toronto Summer Garden Cleanup After |
I'm guessing the change in elevation from the upper tier to the top of bottom retaining wall is about 15 feet. Erosion control will have to be considered. Laying down mulch, while suppressing weeds, will likely result in having it run down after heavy rains and snow melt. Mass planting of a groundcover like periwinkle (Vinca minor) could work to reduce erosion but it will take time before a thick mat takes hold.
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| Koreatown Toronto Summer Front Garden Cleanup After |
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| Koreatown Toronto Summer Front Yard Cleanup After |
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| Koreatown Toronto Summer Garden Cleanup After |
I'd certainly mulch the level upper tier area at the base of the tree. The grass is also failing as it's in shade for most of the day and never fertilized. I also suggested that it be dug out and the entire upper tier be mulched.
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| Toronto Front Garden Cleanup in Koreatown After |
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| Toronto Summer Front Yard Cleanup in Koreatown After |
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| Toronto Summer Garden Cleanup in Koreatown After |
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| Toronto Summer Garden Cleanup in Koreatown Before |
Onwards and upwards to the fall cleanups, dear reader!
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