The spring and summer of 1999 were brutal for gardeners in the mid-atlantic region. A thirty year drought brought water rationing to people and plants alike. We concentrated on keeping the front yard alive and killing off all that English ivy in the backyard.

After we sprayed round-up on just about everything, we proceeded to cut down many dead or dying small trees. Here is Carey hauling tree limbs to the curb.

After all the ivy was dead and wilted, the removal "process" began. What a chore. First, we mowed over the English Ivy.

Then we chopped up the low-lying brush with our Ryobi brush cutter.

Here's the backyard while the "extraction" process is underway. Quite a difference from a year ago. Check out the backyard before shots: one looking near the house; and one at the far back property line.