irisheyes66
05-22-2005, 10:54 PM
I have always lived in a large city....as such, the soil quality was never good enough to have a successful garden. My attempts at creating a backyard Eden were woefully inadequate :ha: I hated the blah concrete and empty dirt patches, but never gave up my dream of being surrounded by lush greenery!
One of the reasons I chose to buy this house was the previous owner's green thumb; she really had a talent for choosing plants and flowers that complemented each other, and her TLC in the gardens really made an impression on me.
Last summer, I had just made the cross-country move, and was totally unmotivated to do very much outdoors.
This year is a different story.
From years of rain and settling, the large stones which line the front beds gradually sank into the ground, and were covered with moss and grass. I counted over 200 stones (each weighing roughly 2-3 pounds), as I dug out each one and put it to the side. I re-cut the beds, and installed edging along the entire perimeter....then laid out the stones again. The plants in the beds were very healthy, but I though the area needed some fresh color....so, off to the greenhouse I went. Like a kid in a candy shop, I wanted everything I saw! It was all so beautiful and perfect. For the most part, I chose perennials and a lot of shrubbery (boxwood, evergreens, etc.). Some hibiscus plants, honeysuckle trees, japonica, columbine, lilies, a dozen rosebushes in blue, silver, yellow, white, pink, and my favorite....a flaming red Christian Dior variety!
A few hundred dollars later, I am still working on the whole project. The front beds are pretty much done; new mulch all around. Next, I will dig out some smaller beds along the walkway, and then install the solar lights. The side beds have been totally emptied, and I am replacing the old plants with varieties that do well in shade, such as pachysandra and other ground covers. The whiskey barrel planters out front are filled with dianthus, marigolds, peonies, pansies, and wildflowers.
Today was spent out back....I removed everything from two existing beds with a brick walkway between them. I planted the rosebushes I bought from a second trip to the greenhouse this week, three colors of spiraea, and several dwarf burning bushes.
Future projects include laying another brick path that will go around the house, planting some fruit trees at the back end of the property, and having new sod installed (that will be next year).
My arms, legs, and back are killing me--to say nothing of the dozens of bug bites (from being too stubborn to call it a day at dusk)--but I am so happy with how it is turning out! I've waited so long to have a yard like this, it's worth every minute of sweat. The hours I spend digging, planting, and watering give me an excellent opportunity to clear my head, and focus on my blessings in life....it is "quality" time like no other. I'm so proud to send pictures to Shawn, showing him all my efforts. In turn, he is tickled that I am intent on making our home the very best it can be ;)
The picture of the front beds from a side view (last photo) doesn't begin to do it justice--everything has bloomed since it was taken, including the fuschia rosebushes that came with the house. The morning glories are starting to climb, and within a few weeks my porch will be covered with them.
More pics to follow....it is a work in progress, but most definitely a labor of love!
One of the reasons I chose to buy this house was the previous owner's green thumb; she really had a talent for choosing plants and flowers that complemented each other, and her TLC in the gardens really made an impression on me.
Last summer, I had just made the cross-country move, and was totally unmotivated to do very much outdoors.
This year is a different story.
From years of rain and settling, the large stones which line the front beds gradually sank into the ground, and were covered with moss and grass. I counted over 200 stones (each weighing roughly 2-3 pounds), as I dug out each one and put it to the side. I re-cut the beds, and installed edging along the entire perimeter....then laid out the stones again. The plants in the beds were very healthy, but I though the area needed some fresh color....so, off to the greenhouse I went. Like a kid in a candy shop, I wanted everything I saw! It was all so beautiful and perfect. For the most part, I chose perennials and a lot of shrubbery (boxwood, evergreens, etc.). Some hibiscus plants, honeysuckle trees, japonica, columbine, lilies, a dozen rosebushes in blue, silver, yellow, white, pink, and my favorite....a flaming red Christian Dior variety!
A few hundred dollars later, I am still working on the whole project. The front beds are pretty much done; new mulch all around. Next, I will dig out some smaller beds along the walkway, and then install the solar lights. The side beds have been totally emptied, and I am replacing the old plants with varieties that do well in shade, such as pachysandra and other ground covers. The whiskey barrel planters out front are filled with dianthus, marigolds, peonies, pansies, and wildflowers.
Today was spent out back....I removed everything from two existing beds with a brick walkway between them. I planted the rosebushes I bought from a second trip to the greenhouse this week, three colors of spiraea, and several dwarf burning bushes.
Future projects include laying another brick path that will go around the house, planting some fruit trees at the back end of the property, and having new sod installed (that will be next year).
My arms, legs, and back are killing me--to say nothing of the dozens of bug bites (from being too stubborn to call it a day at dusk)--but I am so happy with how it is turning out! I've waited so long to have a yard like this, it's worth every minute of sweat. The hours I spend digging, planting, and watering give me an excellent opportunity to clear my head, and focus on my blessings in life....it is "quality" time like no other. I'm so proud to send pictures to Shawn, showing him all my efforts. In turn, he is tickled that I am intent on making our home the very best it can be ;)
The picture of the front beds from a side view (last photo) doesn't begin to do it justice--everything has bloomed since it was taken, including the fuschia rosebushes that came with the house. The morning glories are starting to climb, and within a few weeks my porch will be covered with them.
More pics to follow....it is a work in progress, but most definitely a labor of love!