Herb garden, freshly weeded!

Mr. H. and I had a reversal of roles this morning: I spent it outside tending the yard and he was inside working on the bathroom redo.

I weeded the herb garden and put down a layer of wood chip mulch. If you remember, this area was all bricks a few months ago. We removed the bricks, worked in compost, peat moss, and vermiculite into the ground, and then planted some herbs for easy access right outside the kitchen door. I hastily threw down a brick pad to cut down on the tracking of mud into the house by Lucy. She tends to cut corners. Today, I firmed up the brick pad a bit: used sand for a base, nestled the bricks into it, and swept sand into the cracks. Mr. H. kindly jumped on it several times to shake down the sand. Good job, buddy!

Chives and a newly secured brick pad (and dirty, wet gloves!).

Left to right: tarragon, lemon balm, thyme.

I weeded the front side bed and put down a thin layer of compost, working some of it in but leaving some on the surface. I also added a few stepping stones (ha ha - flagstones from the patio: the gift that keeps on giving!). The cosmos seeds I planted are looking very promising with their telltale feathery leaves!

The front bed: it looks better in person - I promise! The cosmos are here and there, probably not visible in the picture. 

Today's weed haul.