The weather has been nice the past few weekends, so we've ventured outside to tackle some yard projects. During the summer, Tim only has to work half the day on Friday, so I've been really putting him to work here at home--he's a good sport :) None of these projects would have happened without him.
We have a lot of grass and it takes a long time to mow and is expensive to water and keep up, so we've been trying to get rid of it wherever and whenever we can. We decided to bring the flower bed by the house out at least 7-8 feet from it's previous edge. I also planted three red twig dogwood shrubs that should grow up to the bottom of that window in a few years. I also planted a forsythia in the front in part of the new bed we created. We concluded the project with some fresh bark that we think really adds to the whole effect.
Tim shaped the edge of this existing island because the grass was starting to claim it. We also added some of that new bark here and gave the tree a good pruning. There are some trees in the background where we cut rings around the bottom and then filled those in with bark--makes for easier mowing, less grass to water and cut, and we think it looks more groomed.
This is just a side view of that flower bed extension project. You can get a sense of where the old bed ended by where the flowers end. I haven't yet decided what perennials to plant in the new bed. You can see the little forsythia hanging out there all by itself. It should get to be about 7 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide when fully grown.
In February, I gave our raspberry bushes a good pruning and by good I mean I really whacked them down. I was a little fearful that they might not recover, but they actually seem much happier for their haircut. I'm really looking forward to raspberry freezer jam and homemade bread.
And last but not least, we're doing a garden this year. We planted basil, oregano, cilantro, jalapeno, pumpkin, roma tomato, cherry tomato, regular tomato, and strawberries. Yummy!!
We have a lot of grass and it takes a long time to mow and is expensive to water and keep up, so we've been trying to get rid of it wherever and whenever we can. We decided to bring the flower bed by the house out at least 7-8 feet from it's previous edge. I also planted three red twig dogwood shrubs that should grow up to the bottom of that window in a few years. I also planted a forsythia in the front in part of the new bed we created. We concluded the project with some fresh bark that we think really adds to the whole effect.
Tim shaped the edge of this existing island because the grass was starting to claim it. We also added some of that new bark here and gave the tree a good pruning. There are some trees in the background where we cut rings around the bottom and then filled those in with bark--makes for easier mowing, less grass to water and cut, and we think it looks more groomed.
This is just a side view of that flower bed extension project. You can get a sense of where the old bed ended by where the flowers end. I haven't yet decided what perennials to plant in the new bed. You can see the little forsythia hanging out there all by itself. It should get to be about 7 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide when fully grown.
In February, I gave our raspberry bushes a good pruning and by good I mean I really whacked them down. I was a little fearful that they might not recover, but they actually seem much happier for their haircut. I'm really looking forward to raspberry freezer jam and homemade bread.
And last but not least, we're doing a garden this year. We planted basil, oregano, cilantro, jalapeno, pumpkin, roma tomato, cherry tomato, regular tomato, and strawberries. Yummy!!
11 comments:
Hurray for gardening/yard work! I'm jealous of your big yard. It looks good! I'm going to go google forsythia or whatever that bush is, because I have no idea what it is.
It looks so good. We have SO much lawn, it's impossible to take care of. I want to plant a bunch of perennials, but have no idea what I'm doing.
You are acting out all my good intentions. I just can't get my act together when it comes to my yard. I need you to come motivate me to make the changes that need to be made!!
That looks really good. I especially like the little island with all the flowers. One of these days will own our own yard, instead of renting a yard from someone else!
Your yard and garden look great!! Good job!! We're going to be doing a little garden this year, but it's been too rainy to put it in and now we're going to be gone for a week in Oregon. Hopefully we'll get it in soon!! You've inspired me!!
The yard is looking very good. My opinion is it looks better than ours, you have grass... :) Tim gave us your blog... check ours out.
Your yard is looking gorgeous! I am very proud of all your hard work--yours in the planning and Tim's muscle & sweat. But I am sure you were out there at times as well. Make sure you invite us over for homemade bread and jam!
I can't wait for the day I have a yard! All the hard work you guys put in looks really good. By the way - I'm driving up to Oregon this Sunday and was thinking of splitting up the drive into two chunks instead of one 13 hour long haul (blah!). Boise is the in-between point and I wondered if I might come stay with the Richey's for a night? No pressure though - I know its last minute!
Wow, the yard looks awesome! I really need to get out and weed my own flower beds. Thanks for the inspiration!
Your yard looks great! You guys did a great job. Hopefully when our grass comes in our yard will look great like yours! :)
The flowers and garden look great. Summer is so fun!
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