Dear FlyLady,
It seems like we are having to mow and do yard work much earlier this year. I guess it is because of our mild winter. How do you keep up with your yard work?
Overwhelmed before Summer is even here.
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Dear Overwhelmed,
Gardening is just like washing dishes or laundry. There is always some to do! We can’t allow our perfectionism to get in the way of getting SOMETHING done.
Procrastination is what causes us to get overwhelmed. We have to figure out ways to stop ourselves from putting things off. Let’s not think of Gardening as work. Look at what has to be done in your yard.
Mow
Weed flower beds
Dead head flowers
Pick flowers for your table
Fertilize your plants
Water plants and grass
Mowing has to be done once a week. What day are you going to mow? Pick a day and go do it! Mowing has four parts. Get mower ready to mow (do this when you put the mower away) that way you will always be ready to get it done. No more procrastination. Trim the edges of your yard and walk ways. Then it is time to mow: Now you get time to listen to your favorite music or audio book as you mow. After you are finished, get the mower ready to go again and put everything away.
Working in your flowers for any gardener is play for us. We must never forget that we can get sidetracked. To stop my procrastination I keep a little nail apron in a basket by my front door. In the apron, I keep my clippers, my gardening gloves and a little hand cultivator/shovel. All I have to do is set my timer, put on my gardening apron and head out the door to spend just 15 minutes. No excuses anymore, because my shoes are on my feet and everything is ready to go! Even if I just want to cut a flower for a vase, I am ready!
Since I am not good at watering, I plant drought tolerant perennials. I WILL water my potted plants. I pick one day a week to do this, Tuesday. I also cheat when it comes to fertilizing my plants. I use a time released fertilizer. It has to be done once a season. I have beautiful plants with no guilt!
Do you see how easy it is to enjoy your yard and garden when you break it into babysteps and eliminate procrastination? Now go outside and play in your garden.
FlyLady
