Learning the ropes.

Rope Trellis that is.

I had a small issue in my extremely small and basic garden.

How to I support my pea and clematis plants.

How can I make something fun and colorful.

So I started searching the internet saw so many fun ways to build a trellis.

Horizontal

Vertical

Circular

Conical

I figured I would try a fun design on the fence.

This way I could hopefully support the plants AND get some fence coverage.

So, to start I had to finished the second half of the 12 foot flower bed.

It had been raining the day before so the ground was damp.

It made digging up the remaining grass a snap.

Thanks to Jaime for the manpower.

Then we had to adding gardening soil and top off with mulch.

Michael doesn't use the wagon much anymore, so I snagged it for my project.

So much easier on the back.

All set for a trellis and plants.

Spring has Sprung

I start off every spring with the best intentions.

I drool over garden pictures in magazine and online.

You know the pictures,

lush green lawns and gorgeous flower beds.

Not a weed in site.

I know the sheer amount of time and energy

(both of which I have very little)

it takes to create those masterpieces.

Last year I grew pretty successful potted herb garden.

It was the first time ever and I was so proud!!

This year, with lots of helpful tips from a good friend, I am going full on garden beds!

I have a good sized backyard,

that needs mowing.

a sprinkler system and some small planted beds.

you can see the Yoshuna Weeping Cherry tree in the corner.

We planted it the year before Michael was born and I adore the pink blooms that change to white.

I blooms right before his birthday and gives me such good memories.

I also have a few transplanted azaleas bushes

and large bunch of Cannas near the house.

For the new beds I decided to plant near the fence.

This gave the herbs last year some shade and they didn't get over watered.

Here you can see my new plants just waiting for a new home.

You can also see my weedy pots from last year. :)

I plotted out 2 of the fence sections which are 6 feet each and

then came out about 18 inches.

I tried to use my EdgeHog to break up the grass, which helped.

But I did end up digging most of the grass up with a shovel.

Talk about hard work!

This method took longer than I expected, so I only got one full bed completed.

The other bed is about 50% so far.

I wanted to take the bed out to meet the cherry tree, 

but I think I need to borrow or rent a tiller.

Here are my plants all laid out and partially planted.

It just needs additional planting soil and mulch.

From right to left I've planted:

Blueberry

Red Hot Poker

Columbine

Iris

Salvia

Clematis

Columbine

Iris

Here they are all finished up.

Not too bad. :)

The second bed will hold my herbs and veggie.

More to come on that

AND

you'll get to see the update on cleanup and decor of the patio.

Yeahhhhhh...

Lots and lots of more work to come.