Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Front yard update

 So I finally got some plants in.  It took a while to get it together and I had made cuttings of gardenia and lavender to add to the yard.  Some of them were finally big enough to plant this weekend, but I'm waiting for several others to grow a little stronger.  Here's what it looks like today...

I left a spot to plant a hydrangea or some kind of larger bush.  And one of my daylilies seems to be taking a long to time adjust.  It looks like it's growing new leaves, but it's very slow. The pentas grow well, my variegated ti leaf plant looks as though it's doing okay (might need a little shade) and my fairy lily bulbs are thriving.   The calla is doing well, and I'm thinking of taking cuttings of the sage plant.  It grows in a nice mound and looks really nice.  Eventually (probably around halloween) I'll add a few solar lights.   I still have to work on the other side of the entry steps, just started adding a couple plants the other day.  But I did put in a hydrangea and it appears to be growing well.  I guess the water sprinkler works miracles for a dry front yard.  

My son had placed his science project from summer school in the yard... a small milk carton with a lettuce seed in it.  It grew beautifully and we ate for dinner last night.  So as per his request, we will plant more in small pots and grow some veggies there.  Our community association doesn't allow vegetable gardens in the front, but I'm going to try and work around it.  We'll place the pots in empty areas and they'll be more like "ground cover" plants.  It looks lots nicer than the weeds and dirt we just cleaned up...

Yesterday, I spent my morning working on cleaning up and placing some pavers along the edge of my backyard.  The wild area is full of weeds that keep growing into my yard and I'm hoping the edge of pavers will help prevent the weeds from invading our yard.  I'm planning on adding a light weight fence, or row of simple trellis' (removable, just in case the property owners in the back area don't approve) and growing pakalana vines for lei making.  I considered doing stephanotis (I love those), but the vine is very heavy.  I'd need a heavier fence for that...

Monday, May 21, 2012

Been too long....

It's been nearly one year since I've posted an update... and for a while, there was good reason.  There was nothing new to update.  But Spring Fever has hit and friend availability (and a good sale at Lowes) has inspired me to get out there and FINALLY get the front yard going.  YIPPEEE!

First off, remember this?  These were my front yard BEFORE pics....




Oh... and embarassingly, some After pics too...



Well, the yard never got any better, the stairs remained overgrown with awful looking grass and the plants never seemed to thrive.  I think my water sprinkler wasn't working for a few months and everything became a fire hazard....   I tried just digging out the grass, but it's tough and just doesn't want to give up trying to take over the world.

BUT recently, I did lots of sewing for a good friend who is also a handyman by trade.  And Lowe's had wall blocks and pavers on sale at a  price I couldn't resist...  Now, handyguy has all the tools we need and is perfectly willing to trade services for some hours of work. So DH and I picked up the materials, and handyguy and I got to work.

Less than a week later,  VOILA!  The foundation is set.  Oh, we also laid black plastic down after this picture was taken and added a few more sprinkler heads to keep the plants from drying out again.  I can't believe it's finally happening!   I know it's not very impressive yet, naked as it is... but just you wait, it'll be great!



Now I'm waiting for word on my load of compost.... (free from another friend), which is due to arrive sometime this week.    Then the planting can begin!  Boy... I'm so happy I might burst!  :)

So far, I've spent about $120.00 for materials.  And I don't expect to spend much more until planting time. Sand is free from the beach, gravel I got from my mom (she's been wanting someone to take it away), and sprinkler materials from a box of stuff I found in the garage.  Apparently, DH and his friends thought they didn't need to use them when they installed the sprinklers the first time.  I'm hoping I can find a few beautiful plants that will thrive in this hot spot.  But now that they'll get water regularly, I think everything will be OK.