2025 To-Do Mid-Summer Check-In - August 2025

Mid-August is the mid-way point in Summer (even if it feels like way past that for this gardener), so it is a good time to do a check-in on my 2025 to-do list.  Last season, I did one of these 'check-ins' in early September (right around Labor Day) and discovered that I was only able to mark six (6) of my 25 items 'complete' with nine (9) more 'in process'.   Where do we stand this year?  Let's find out:

My 2025 to-do list included 25 items (25 for '25):

1. Gravel Path Improvement. In Process.  I did the biggest part of this, but still have the 'gate back' portion left to do.  

2. Make the Pizza Oven operational. In Process.  The groundwork and retaining walls are done, but there's still a tarp on it.  

3. Expand and plant the Island bed in front. Done.  I've done A LOT up here, but haven't planted everything I was planning-to.  I'd like to get a mass planting of grasses to finish this up for the season.

4. Finish garden edits from 2024. Incomplete.  The 'nook' rallied on its own.  I added a few more All Golds from the Morton Sale and three upright blue conifers near the pizza oven.  But, have more to do:  move Alliums, add grasses.  

5. Get back in the Japanese Maple game. Done.  Planted an Arctic Jade Korean Maple in back.  

6. Use more coleus as bedding plants.  Done.  Versa Golds in front (stunners!), Inferno in back.  And, even that odd "Under the Sea" Coral coleus in back.  

7. Add more "Garden Personality". Incomplete.

8. Be a weeder. Done.  (and In Process - as it should be....)

9. Build something. Incomplete.  Does a retaining wall count?  Maybe??

10. Work on garden "Legibility". In process.  Repetition, edges and more.   

11. Keep going in the Front Yard. In process.  Dahlias everywhere, Replaced the parkway tree, staked the Saratoga Ginkgo.  Planted up Annual Vinca.  But, will want to expand that annual bed and try to plant something in the parkway this Fall.  

12. Create/expand the Patio bed. Incomplete.  But, something I will do in Fall.

13. Add some trees.  Done.  Added three Witchita Blue Junipers to the backyard.  And the Korean Maple.  And the Tupelo tree in the parkway.  Also, cleaned up the sideyard espaliers and the Lindens.  

14. Vegetables. Done.  Do we have tomatoes?  Yes.  Are they great?  No. 

15. Lean into what is working planting-wise. Done.  Added a couple of new (to me) Viburnum, bought *more" of things at Arboretum Sale.  

16. Keep going on Groundcover. In Process.  Ajuga everywhere.  

17. Upgrade the Lights and Water feature. Incomplete.

18. Make 2025 another year of Cut flowers. Done.  In a big way.  

19. Get back to basics with irrigation. Done.  Aside from vacation failure.

20. Stay focused by using the concept of Repetition vs. new. Done.  Added Autumn Ferns and All Golds and Sun Kings.  Didn't buy new things.

21. Keep going on compost.  In process.  Upgraded bins, filled them.  Still need to turn in September. 

22. Better annuals containers in back. Done.  Are they great?  No.  Are they better?  Yes.

23. Fall project: More Lazy bed extensions. Incomplete.  By design.  Fall project. 

24. Plot the garden path on the north side. In process.  Did I do anything for this?  No.  But, did I plant anything in the way?  Also no.

25. Plant fall bulbs. Incomplete.  

Here's the totals:
11 Done

7 In Process

7 Incomplete

Let's first start with the 'in process' items.  Of the seven, there are a few that I'm feeling good about getting done in the next eight weeks: gravel path, legibility, front yard, groundcover and compost.  The other two:  pizza oven and garden path are harder.

Of the seven 'Incompletes', I think I can knock out: Lazy beds, patio beds, and maybe the garden edits.

If I finish the pizza oven, that checks an 'incomplete' (build something) and an in process (finish the oven).  

That leaves these as stretches:  fall bulbs, water and lights and personality.