Thursday, March 12

We have this area near the garage that has become an irritation to us. There are two tree stumps and a lot of vines there. In a few weeks it would have been pretty with blooming periwinkles, but there are other vines there as well which sometimes includes poison ivy (Cerwin doesn’t get poison, so he usually pulls it out).

As the summer progresses, it takes a lot of work to keep the vines under control, so removing this area was looking like a good idea as we keep trying to reduce yardwork in our one-acre lot.

Also, we have been researching the frustrating millipedes that have been invading our garage area the past few spring and fall seasons. We had an exterminator spray for them and a few other critters that tend to invade houses that are located in woodlots (ants, termites, etc.) usually twice a year, but we continue to see millipedes in our garage. They are a bit embarrassing when we have company.

Last week we were researching where they live and why there are so many in our garage area. This is what I found online: The small black milliped worms that curl into a circle are likely millipedes, which are not true worms, but arthropods characterized by their segmented bodies and defensive curling behavior. They thrive in damp, dark environments and found indoors during spring and fall when conditions are favorable. Millipedes are harmless and primarily feed on decaying organic matter. Well, that sure sounds like this area with vines and two decaying tree stumps.

This information added to our desire to remove this vine-covered area near our house. I don’t mind having millipedes in the woodsy part of our yard, but not in our house.

The next morning I sent an email to Dave Groff of Hershey Landscaping. Before long he came out to look over the area and agreed that it would make life easier for us if the stumps and vines were removed and turned into grass and it would probably eliminate some of our millipede problem.

We also have two stumps next to the house and near our weeping pussywillow tree. They are from firebushes that we cut back because we wanted the pussywillow tree there.

We asked if they could pull the small stumps without damaging the pussywillow tree. He didn’t think that would be a problem. He sent an estimate later in the day and said his guys would be out before long.

A few days later they arrived in the late morning and quickly began their project by unloading shovels, straw, wheelbarrows, and grass seed.

I asked him to pose so I could advertise for Hershey Landscaping, LLC. The other truck in the background held topsoil for this spot and extra that Cerwin ordered – to use later in the summer.

It was a cold windy day, so I took most pictures from inside, the reason you see birdfeeder shepherd’s hooks in the foreground.

Vines and the remains of the old stump were easily removed.

The smaller stump from a tree that was taken down a few years ago wasn’t as decayed but also came out easily with the power of their track hoe.

Before long they were leveling this area and making sure all the things we didn’t want were removed. They easily removed the two smaller stumps without affecting the pussywillow tree.

Less than two hours later, grass seed was planted and a straw/mesh kind of mat was laid on top to protect the grass as it begins to grow.

We are very pleased with the finished results. I messaged Dave and said, “Job finished! Your guys are the best.”