Update: I revamped my garden page to a blog format instead of a webpage format, so the blog date is newer than the original post.
A lot is happening here in our back yard! Can you see the little
scalloped bricks on the ground in the middle of this photo? They were taken from the back wall planting bed that was there from the previous owners. I don't really like the style, but we have'em, so I'm using them. Some of them are currently separating the walking lawn from the future orchard. Something more substantial will have to go there in the future. I'm just not sure exactly what will go there at this time. But I'm planning on something going there. Fortunately, gardens are a work in progress, and I'm flexible. I mean my plan is flexible, not literally me. Did I mention that some days I can't feel my arms, that is until they start to ache?
This view is looking north at the back of our home, with the back fence behind you.
The photo below is another view looking east at our garage, with our raised garden beds behind you. We have started some plantings and they are coming along - sloooowly. Real slooooowly. Part of gardening is learning the "p" word - patience. [SIGH] Hey, look at the grass! In only one months time, it is looking a lot better, and filling in nicely. Love that weed- uh I mean St. Augustine grass !
You can't see them in this photo, but my little tree has lots o' apricots on it! I can hardly wait until they are ripe for picking in June/July!
Water Feature
Robert got a steal of a deal on a little pitcher fountain, so we placed it near the entrance of our garage where the we are growing some succulents, geraniums, irises, and lilies. And that spot also happens to have an outlet. That is really why we put that fountain in that spot. But hey, it works. The plants we put there seem to really love their home. This spot doesn't see sunshine until just after noon, because the garage blocks the morning sun. But it gets a lot of heat in the afternoon though. So at least they get to hear the sound of water from the fountain as they bask in the hot, summer afternoon sun! (ha ha ha)
Here is my darling, doing one of the things he does best, and that is planting more flowers! Yay Honey! As you can see, my transplanted lawn is finally filling in! I also was able to use more of the salvaged brick that I'm not too fond of to edge this bed. I dunno.
It certainly goes with the 50's style of our home, I suppose. But as soon as we can afford it, I will might change it out for something else. Sorry for the crappy photo quality here. I bake better, much better, than I take pictures.
It certainly goes with the 50's style of our home, I suppose. But as soon as we can afford it, I will might change it out for something else. Sorry for the crappy photo quality here. I bake better, much better, than I take pictures.
Here's a little better photo of the corner fountain and one of our irises. I just love the way their frilly petals sparkle in the sun, and their fresh lemony floral scent is so dreamy! I have no idea what that shrimp colored succulent at the base of our fountain is. Robert picked it up at our local bargain store. You can just see a red kalanchoe in the corner, a coleus in the opposite corner, and some purple leafed plant I can't remember the name of.
The "Orchard"
I can't remember exactly when this picture was taken, but I'm putting it here. Do you see this dirt alley? It is going to be our future orchard! This is where I harvested all the sod I laid down in the cottage garden walking lawn. Right now my Robert has planted corn. I don't know if you can actually see it in this awesome photo. Anyway, can you see the sticks against the brick wall? Those are Dorset apple trees in espalier we planted this past February. They are doing great, because Robert planted them. I just stood there and supervised.
Here is a little better photo of the west wall that gets eastern, or morning sun. Did you get that? For those of us who are directionally challenged, I'm sorry to have confused you.
Anyway, you can see the Dorset apple trees are lined up very close to the wall. I didn't use any support trellis for them since they are free form espalier, and I'm kinda lazy. There's that darn green fig tree stump. Technically, we couldn't go with the dynamite, so my husband is slowly burning it. Soon, I'll be digging around the roots to help it along in its demise. That rose bush is also in the way of our future chicken coop, so it's gotta go bye bye too. By that I mean it has to be moved, not killed. Roses are one of the only plants I can't kill.
Anyway, you can see the Dorset apple trees are lined up very close to the wall. I didn't use any support trellis for them since they are free form espalier, and I'm kinda lazy. There's that darn green fig tree stump. Technically, we couldn't go with the dynamite, so my husband is slowly burning it. Soon, I'll be digging around the roots to help it along in its demise. That rose bush is also in the way of our future chicken coop, so it's gotta go bye bye too. By that I mean it has to be moved, not killed. Roses are one of the only plants I can't kill.
That's all for now folks! Stay tuned for more of our cottage garden adventures!