This is what the front yard looked like when the 2009 gardening season ended. Still so much to do, then we had a very rainy and cold winter so nothing got done until Spring....after that late March snow that is. November 2009, not anything like I wanted it to look yet ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) When the warmer weather arrived I had my goal carved deeply in my mind. I wanted NO grass in that part of the yard. I wanted more plants (well that's a given), grass dug up and the ground covered with mulch before the heat of summer set in and stranded me indoors until September AND I had 2, maybe 2 1/2, months to get it done. I made it literally by the sweat on my brow, yesterday morning I put down the last of the mulch that covered the entire area. I have what I guess can be called the skeleton of the garden, there are lots of empty spaces that I can now fill in. For the rest of this summer those spaces will be filled with some veggie plants, beans on arbors, Okra plants that look like Hibiscus and a Gourd Vine on a trellis. I can see that I need a lot more color and some really tall plants too. Tall and colorful are on my list for fall plant orders now. ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) And always the EYES are watching me...can you find them? ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) The grass area behind this section of the yard will be worked on this fall when the weather cools down. There are some large tree limbs that are hanging over the house, they will have to be taken down and will open that area up to more sun. After pulling up all the grass I am going to put down mulch and probably won't plant anything until the limbs are down (for the plants safety) and a sun/shade pattern is established. Next falls project seen behind this section ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden ) So it hit me late yesterday afternoon....What do I do NOW? I guess other than some weeding every so often and watering every other day I will be able to spend my summer hibernation period inside without the guilt of 'I should be out in the yard doing something!' I have lots of garden junque things to paint or make so I will have plenty to help make the summer go away sooner.
Yeah, I have been on my knees a lot in the last year. A year ago May, the only thing in the front yard was the fence panels at the corner. The whole yard was grass and weeds pretending to be grass. Hubby is very happy to not have to mow now, he just swings the weedeater over the strip between the sidewalk and curb and along the portion under the trees. Now we have an old riding lawn mower to get rid of. The corner in June 2009 ( photo / image / picture from toni's Garden )
Gosh Toni your front garden has really come on nicely. You've done a wonderful job and it's something to be really proud of now.
Toni--you have made such enormous progress with that yard of yours. The fencing and mulch and all. It is taking good shape. It is looking so very nice. There is a nice variety of plants too. A BIG congratulations to you on all your hard work.
Toni ~ your garden looks wonderful! You've just got me thinking how I'd rather garden than cut grass...
Deanna, my fingers, arms and shoulders are about 3 inches larger from all the digging and pulling done over the last year or so out there. But I really like it too. Eileen, I have to make myself stop and see the garden thru a strangers eyes so I can see how pretty the blooms are, most of the time I just see the ugly parts. Glad you like it. Featherphobia, I have already had three women stop while I was out front and ask about the garden, one made her husband backup so she could get out and look closer. That's fun. Sjoerd, the creator of the most fantastic flower garden I have ever seen, I am really thrilled to know that you like it. I realized the other day that I finally have two plants I have longed for in my garden. ....tall Hollyhocks and Foxglove!! Thanks Netty, Randy is thrilled that he doesn't have any reason to use the lawnmower now....our son-in-law still can't understand why I would rather have flowers than grass. Thanks you all.
I keep looking at your pictures and each time I see something new. I realized then, how envious I am of the space you have and the way you've given the plants enough space so that they can spread out and you can see them each individually in all their beauty. Very nice. (and very different from my all smooshed in togeter beds.) Great looking. It will keep on etting better and better too, won't it?
Your garden looks a treat already, and I'm trying to visualize it when it's maturing. It might probably look lovelier, but I think it's lovely now. I'm sooo pleased for your summer plans. I know you don't like your very hot summers much. Please send me approximately 10°C. We've got a few degrees too little here for comfort.
Thanks so much, Toni. What a nice thing to say. Well I've got nothing on you. Just look at that garden! Those two tall plants really give a garden not only colour, but also "height"--which I find an important element.
I, too, look forward to your photos. I love seeing what junque you've added. I'd stop and check out all the lovely plants too! Great garden area. Can't wait to see what you do with the back yard!
