Mission Accomplished……?

In July,2009,I wrote about what I wanted to accomplish in the coming year.With this past winter’s horrible freezing weather,and the record setting heat of this past summer,I gave it my best shot.

First up,I got my garden shed! And I’m having a quite serious love affair going on with it.

Yessiree!

And I don’t think the flame is gonna die anytime soon.

All of the landscape timbers are gone.But have yet to be replaced with another retaining wall.Miss Emma kinda interfered with that plan,but that’s ok.I think we can manage without the timber.As long as we have her…….She’s worth the wait,dontcha think?She’s one month old!Lookin’ pretty cool with her “going-to-the- night-club” clothes on!Dontcha think?

With the return of slightly cooler and lower humidity weather it was time to get to work…..

 Our compost pile was just that.A pile.It has since been replaced with a proper compost bin.With a  stone path……

In the process of relocating the compost pile,we re-pavered the area around the well.Over the years,this area had caved in and was covered with leaves,weeds,and vines.To say the least,it was a muddy,mosquitoey,mess!It is much neater,cleaner,and easier to maneuver around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the background you can notice the new compost bin,and the well.The wood structure holds our firewood.

We replaced the area where the compost pile was,with a new shade garden. The pathway is yet to be finished.

This area also had a flooding problem.Most likely caused by the compost pile.While regrading the area(the regrade works perfectly,by the way),we caused another problem.Erosion down by the waterline.Notice the dip?

We ,hopefully,corrected it by placing two large rocks in that area(which cannot be seen in this photo),to slow the water flow.We’ll need to find plantings for there.Something that can take only late day sun,and alot of water.We want to filter any water that flows from our yard before it enters the lake.Ideas are most welcome…..Feel free to offer up your thoughts.

Most of the plantings in the new garden are divisions of other plants we already had.Giant Liriope,Holly Fern,and Variegated Flax Lily.All of which needed dividing.No cost to us.The centerpiece is a new Australian Tree Fern.

I like a green back drop with splashes of color.I prefer to do that with containers.They can be changed as the seasons change.Much,much easier than replanting an entire garden.Kind of like using artwork to bring color into a neutral room.  I wanted to tie this garden in with the other shade garden,

so I moved a copper bird bath to this garden from another area.Much as I like randomness in the garden,I also like symmetry.Hopefully,the copper bird bath,the repetition of the plants and the Australian Tree Fern accomplish this.

To finish this,we still need to make a gravel pathway,get those rocks we set out to get back in August,flagstone pavers,and lots of gravel.

But….

It’s all gonna have to wait.We have scored playoff tickets for the Tampa Bay Rays,so we’re gonna be busy this week….

yessiree!

Go Rays!!!!!