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A dandelion left to play spreads thousands for another day.
A most practical kind of summer organization is organizing for weeding. An organized person (and/or family) can get at his or her weeding, do it faster and keep it done much better than a person who approaches this task in a more casual, what’s-my-mood manner.
The following are some simple steps to make this chore easier:
Gather all the hand tools you will need and put them in a container (with a handle) so that each time you go out to weed, you will have everything you need with you. I like a 5-gallon plastic bucket the best, but any sturdy container will do.
Gather or purchase a dandelion digger, a trowel, some good scissors (bright handles are best), a pair of pruners, some sturdy grass clippers, a roll of gardener’s tie tape and plenty of 2-inch-by-2-inch pieces of sawn PVC pipe (which have previously been cut by a willing helper). Use these pipe pieces to mark where the morning glory weeds are. Then you can easily find them again when you or your spouse spray the next time.
In addition to this kit (which is best kept near the back door so it's readily available when you go out to weed), buy or find two very good pairs of gardening gloves. Use one pair right now and keep one pair as a spare for those days when you can’t find the first pair (funny how those gardening gloves disappear) or as replacements when a hole appears in your first pair.
A straw hat to keep your head, ears and nose shaded, some sunscreen for the tip of your nose and some knee pads or a good kneeling pad are additional tools for comfort.
Review your assortment of larger tools such as the hoe, the rake and the shovel. Drill a ¾-inch hole at the end of the tools’ handles, get some nails up on your garage wall and hang these tools conveniently near the door to your yard.
Finally, divide your yard (front, back and sides) into a number of specific areas. Make up a printed chart showing the division lines and numbering each section of the yard. If you are gardening alone, you might divide the yard into six sections, one for each day of the working week. If you are gardening with others, you might divide the yard into enough sections so each contributor has a specific area of responsibility.
Then, tackle the weeding in your yard in the order you have specified. In my particular yard, the left side is one day, the right side is another day, the front yard takes two days and the backyard takes two days. Once I have my weeds under control, a few minutes each workday morning keeps the yard looking great. This method focuses my attention on a small part of the yard and keeps the weeds from laughing at me. I know that yesterday I did section one and today I will go on to tackle section two. When I don’t get to the weeding for a day or two, I will begin with section three at the next opportunity.
Gather all large tools: Hang all large tools near the back door after drilling holes at the tops of the handles and hammering some nails into your garage wall.
Divide the yard into specific defined areas (depending on the number of people who will be helping or how many days of the week you will be available to weed). Make up a chart defining and numbering the areas.Tackle one area each day you are able to work outside (ideally, a little bit each day of the week).With others helping, each might weed his section of the yard as you all work together. Or you might choose to work with one child/teenager/spouse on their section as a team. This will allow for training and together time. (One of my favorite memories is an early morning in a strawberry patch with my father as he taught me how to pull weeds close to the precious strawberry starts without also pulling up the strawberry plant.)
With your weeding organized, you’ll soon receive the local “yard of beautification” award, for you will have tackled, conquered and otherwise managed to get your weeding done just as you desire.
Of course, you may want to set up kits for your spouse and children and, if you live with other adults or grandchildren, make them little kits, too. One is more motivated to weed when he has personal tools for tackling yard work. In addition, remember that individual responsibility brings group success. So if you have four children, maybe each of them could be in charge of one section of the yard this summer with you and your spouse each handling a section, too. This allows achievers to get their outside weeding work done and know where they are to begin/end and when they are finished. Of course, there will also be trimming bushes, mowing the lawn and watering chores, but with the weeding assigned out, the yard can be kept in shape with a little help from everyone.
Remember to organize your hand tools, larger tools, a good pair of gloves, a wonderful hat, sunscreen and kneeling pad so you can carry the weeding bucket with one hand and the larger tools with the other wherever you are going to work. Good luck this summer and happy weeding!
As a final note, weeding before sunup makes for a better experience. It is cooler, weeding is more enjoyable, and you’ll be nicer when you’ve finished your weeding before you spend too much time working in the sun!
Marie Ricks is a professional organizer who loves to conquer clutter. She is a nationally recognized author, motivational speaker, & TV/radio guest. An hour with her can give you 10 percent more time! See houseoforder.com for more info.
