Trimming the verge

This is not the piney woods, but it's not far. This, unless I'm mistaken, is part of the Artsy Organized Neighbor's land. He's cut down trees and stacked them farther back in the woods (a few posts ago). He's also thinned out the undergrowth at the edge (and burned it). The edge is where vineyard parcels meet the woods. In true French style, he's tidied up the landscape.

Woods' edge, neat and tidy. By the way, this is that vineyard parcel that was dug up about a month ago. Now it will lie fallow for a year or two.

We are now in the middle of what's called Les Saints de Glace (the Ice Saints). This is when the last killing frosts of spring can form. True to form, it's been cold for the past few days. But, thankfully, not cold enough for frost. I'm sure the grape growers are happy about that. Maybe now it'll start getting warmer. By the way, the asparagus vendor at the Saint-Aignan Saturday market has beautiful (and tasty) strawberries available, as he does each year. I got some last Saturday and am planning to get some more this coming weekend.

Spa day for dogs

I'll be brief. Tasha has an appointment for grooming this morning, so we have to get ready. There's not that much to do, just a little tidying up in the utility/laundry room before the groomer arrives. But first, we have to get out for a walk before hand.

Most of the back yard. Looking easterly.

Here's a photo of the west and north forties seen from the garden gate. The dividing line is just beyond the apple trees. The south forty is just out of the photo to the right. Happy Tuesday!

The tunnel

We had a fence built back when we moved in (23 years ago!) to close in our yard so that the dog (then Collette) wouldn't be able to escape. The fence follows the property line on the north side of the yard. Nobody (even the mayor) seems to know who owns the property on the north side. It's a narrow strip, overgrown and abandoned. Trees have fallen and killer brambles and ivy have taken over back there. And it's right next door to us. So I asked the landscape guy if he could clear a meter-wide strip on the north side to give us access and to prevent the weeds from taking over and pulling down the fence. No problem, he said, and now it's done.

Our property is to the right of the fence in this shot. The "tunnel" belongs to an unknown neighbor. 

Behind where I'm standing is a one-lane right-of-way for vineyard access.

The question is, how long will that trimming job last until it needs to be done again? I'm not sure I want to think about it. Yet.

UN Hedge quarters

This image reminds me of something diplomatic...

From this point you can peek into our back yard through the gap between the fence and the house.

This is the western edge of our property and it separates us from the road. The south forty is on the other side.

Hedges as sculpture

This is the tallest and widest part of the hedge that nearly encloses out property. It's at least a foot taller than I am. By the way, the plant that makes up most of the hedge is called laurier cerise (cherry laurel). We also have some laurier sauce (bay laurel) here and there inside the main hedge. There are also some honeysuckle and ivy taking up residence among the laurels.

The edible bay laurel rises up over the main hedge.

That rounded shape at the southwest corner is also laurier sauce (bay laurel). It started out as a conical shape, but the hedge guys insist it should have a flat top and not a pointed cone. Oh well. The customer isn't always right in France. 

More hedges

This is the hedge that grows along the west side of our property. I had it shortened and cut less wide a bunch of years ago. The shed is our garden shed with it's repaired door and new window shutters. The old shutters, made of wood, were disintegrating. These are PVC and should last a while.

Where the west forty (right) meets the vineyard (left).

The grassy road in between provides access to the machinery. Sprayers, harvesters, etc..

Today's a holiday, so I'm not supposed to make noise before 10h00. I plan to get out there then and cut the west forty. The grass has gotten tall again. 

Hedges '26

The hedges have been trimmed for another year. It's a big job, at least from my perspective. I drimmed them myself the first few years, rationalizing that a hedge trimmer would cost less than paying a contractor. And maybe it did. Until I missed a year and had to deal with two years' growth. I injured myself. I went back to the contractors to take over the job. It takes three guys one full day to do it all, including the clean-up (it took me several days, maybe a week). They have the tools and the expertise needed for the job. Not cheap, but worth every centime.

A small section of the trimmed hedge around our property seen from the kitchen window. The garbage bin is for scale. The neighbors' short hedges are visible across the road.

Last night was chilly. I piled the blankets on for a comfortable sleep. But, ooh, getting out of bed during the night was walking into a refrigerator. Brr!