3/31: How does your garden grow?

We started planting things in the new garden today. For the most part, we were able to use plants we had saved from the previous garden. The society garlic was easy to divide and we planted it all around the perimeter. The agapanthus was divided and planted in random fashion. We moved the rosemary (left) and the lavendar (right) from the side yard where we rarely saw it into the front so we can enjoy it. Both plants are special. The rosemary was planted in memory of Dad and the lavendar was planted in memory of Shantell, a good friend.

Tim purchased 3 plants called Sweet Broom at Home Depot the other day, and right now those are the only new things in the garden. They will grown to about 4 feet when fully grown. We aren't finished with the planting, but we will take out time. I want to plant lobelia along the area where the grass meets the garden. I want to find something special to honor pets who are no longer with us, too. Lots to do but we'll think about that tomorrow!

3/24: Instant Lawn!

At 7:45 this beautiful Saturday morning, the sod was delivered to our house. The guys who installed it were here at 8 (as promised) and started laying it in the areas it would go. As you can see, Tim and Maddie supervised the whole job. The guys got on their hands and knees and pounded the grass pieces into place.
It really was like watching pieces of carpet being installed. It only took them two hours to finish the job. We are so pleased with the results and can't wait to get going on the rest of the yard. There are more pictures on the left in the album named Instant Lawn!

3/20: Shoveling what?

The two guys who really worked yesterday showed up early this morning and started shoveling "you know what" out of the truck bed and on the dirt. Doors and windows were quickly closed! They shoveled, raked, shoveled some more and rolled it all down.

By the end of the day we could see where the garden would expand, where the walkway will be and where we will be planting our California native garden. Hint: Maddie is standing on grass. Click the link on the left for more pictures of the last two days.

3/19: We expected a rototiller!

Imagine our surprise when these guys showed up with mattocks instead of a rototiller! We had two guys going non-stop (and one guy doing as little as possible) digging, raking and shoveling for hours. Tim's shoulder got sore just watching them!
They hauled away a pickup bed full of weeds and rocks when they left in the late afternoon. It looks like we are growing sprinkler heads!

3/15: Sprinklers up!

Tim put in more pipe and added a few sprinkler heads today. Maddie continues to take her job as Inspector and Superintendent very seriously. Rob taught her well. Tim expects to have this part of the job finished on Saturday. Instant lawn will be installed on Monday.

3/13: In the trenches

As you can see, Tim has been very busy digging trenches for the sprinkler system this week. He rented a machine to help him do this huge job and managed to get it done in under four hours! He did have a problem at one point and had to use the truck to unstick the big ol' machine. Sadly, I wasn't here to document that part of the adventure.

3/1/07: The Landscaping Begins

With the danger of frost finally past, we are ready to begin the process of landscaping the front yard. Since Tim is currently "between jobs", he is taking on a large part of the job himself. The first picture shows Tim enjoying one of his final days of rest and relaxation!

Today Tim finished up breaking out all the bricks around the corner garden and the tree well. Next week he will put in the sprinklers and drip system in preparation for someone else to prepare the soil and lay the sod. We will then create a large native garden in the front part of the yard and add to our flower garden in front of the windows. Add a pathway or two, and a few things to dress up the front porch and voila! The landscape will be complete! Stay tuned....