Grounds Maintenance

According to Mike, the best time of year to clear brush out of walking paths or around the dam is during the winter.  In the winter, all the leaves are gone and the tall grasses and weeds have died back so it is easy to see what actually needs to be cleared and relatively easy to get to it.  We have been fortunate this winter that we have had some pretty warm days in which to do this.

The blown out motor

The ideal tool to remove the brush off of the dam is Mike's DR Field and Brush Mower.  Unfortunately, the motor blew a few months ago and Mike had to order a new one.  It just came in and on the first warm day after it came, Mike began removing the old motor and installing the new one.  This took awhile and required some assistance from Laura but the mower is now up and running.

All the tall young trees removed from the back side of the dam.
If these trees are allowed to grow on the dam their roots would eventually
cause the dam to leak.  

Here I am ready to attack the paths with my big pruners.
Notice also my new gravel guards on my ankles.
They block gravel and mud from getting into my shoes.  

While the DR was out of commission Mike had some free time so together we cleared the walking path.  This involved removing sticker bushes that were overrunning the paths.  Either the dogs would step on them and hurt their paws or I would get caught on them and rip my clothes.  I also took the time to remove dead tree branches that were across the path.  These can cause me to trip or in wet weather I sometimes slide on them.  It is much more fun to walk the paths now.

To help the paths remain clear of overgrowth, Mike has suggested we put wood chips on them.  We can make the wood chips ourselves using the DR Field and Brush Mower and the chipper attachment.  This has two benefits.  Not only do the wood chips on the paths look great but we are clearing the dead branches from the wooded area around the house to make the actual chips.

Of course, it is not all work and no play around here in the winter.   Not to worry.  We can find fun things to do on our grounds on those warm winter days too.  

Mike has caught approximately 40 fish already this year.