Hubby and I started our puttering by making a run to the Farm Supply store to get a few bales of white shavings. From there we hit Petsmart for puppy food (giant breeds do best with food under 22% protein, no corn and no wheat), then came home to continue the puttering.
My puttering started out on the desktop updating Quicken, doing various banking tasks, and going through yesterday's mail. From there it was out to the yard. I turned the soil in one of the raised beds then watered it down. Planting won't happen for a few more weeks, it needs to stop being frosty in the mornings before that happens. I'm also trying to hurry along the decomposition of some straw that was thrown in that bed over the winter. If we turn it every week and water it down, it should break down quickly. (I'm also starting to make noises about a rototiller or cultivator in the hopes of having one magically appear at the house on Mothers Day).
From there weeding the berry patch, followed up by lightly purning any dead branches off the fruit trees, and aggressively pruning the Mock Orange in the back yard. It was getting far too crowded with new growth and needed to be thinned out so it gets better air curculation. There are those who would argue that they are supposed to be so crowded, but give it more air curculation, and you will have a healthier tree. If you've never experienced a Mock Orange, and you have a spot in your yard clammoring for a large bush/small tree, I STRONGLY recommend it. The scent is absolutely divine! I have allergies to almost everything, but these lovely blooms don't affect me at all. The neighbors lavendar on the other hand....
Which I am bummed about. I would love to have lavendar in my yard, but it drives my allergies nuts.
I need to get back out there soon, my honeysuckle (which also strangely does not bother my allergies) needs LOTS of help, and I've a few clematis that are also looking to be in need of the clippers.
Hubby continued working on the fence we're putting around the orchard and one garden area. We don't want the dogs to "help" with that area of the yard. For one thing, Stormy seems to thoroughly enjoy eating small branches off trees, and new growth on the rose bush. Also, every Great Dane I've ever known has been able to strip a blueberry bush of ripe berries faster than a flock of birds can. I'm rahter fond of blueberries, so I'm hoping this will save them.
Which reminds me, I need to move the blueberry bush further away from the fence.