Ok. This is IT. Time to make the Fall “TO DO” list for the garden. Lots of things to do — and this year I am going to try to move more plants to better spots. I know some of you do this all the time (Pam!) with success, so I’ve been inspired by your work and am going to try it. I have some holes to make and some holes to fill and a new bed to carve out.
(And then there is the WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDing…the ENDLESS weeeeeeding!)
So I’ve taken some long shots of the garden areas so you get some perspective, and I’m gonna make my list right here before God and my fellow garden bloggers!
Here goes:
This is the bed by the front mailbox. I planned it and my son planted it for me sumemr before last . However, it’s gotten very overgrown because I was overzealous in my planning (I didn’t really make an official scaled landscape plan…that would have made too much sense!). So, some of the center plants – namely the Gold Lantana, are going to come out when they go dormant so there is more space in there. A few more plants – a salvia or a guara – may need to go as well.
This is the bed I dug up and planted last Fall. The right side is just peachy. The left side, $%*#^*s!
These little plants never took off and the deer munch on them and I think they are just too small in scale anyway. They were variegated expensive little specialty mega-nursery specimens from the BOX and I’ve learned my lesson! Maybe I will move them to the back when I pull out the giant viburnum. So, now I am thinking about some small evergreen shrubs here in the back for foundation plantings and some perennials in the front. Mexican oregano is topping my list right now for the front area. I did put the Cuphea there yesterday and somebody nibbled on one.
(Put chicken wire on shopping list!)
This end of the driveway bed struggles. It gets sun, but not enough to make the Lantana planted there happy. So, I need a sun-part-shade solution here. And deer proof. I’m thinking…I’m thinking…
I need a new crop of shade plants for the left side here and a few fillers on the right. Dappled light here and this is the deer path, so no hostas or toad lilies or such. The ferns are happy there, though, so I might just go looking for some other varieties to make it a fully ferned bed.
Now to the back yard. Here’s Dakota, helping us with our tour! This is the back left corner, where I let a landscaper talk me into some viburnum because I’d run out of ideas after planning most of the back yard. (Serves me right!) I HATE them. They are like big meatballs and they are boring. BUT, the dogs run a path into that corner to check out the deer beyond the fence, so I have to incorporate that into my planning. Smaller shrubs – maybe loropetalum for some nice color, and a river rock path into the corner so that it looks planned instead of just dog-bare! And some more perennials in a row on the front for summer color. I should look for thing the deer DO eat, since this bed is safe and there are so many things I can’t plant out front!
Here’s the close-up view — see the dog path? That isn’t going away!
And this is my new bed. I had guys dig it out early in the Spring and with the early heat I never got to it. So it need some cleaning up and some edging and I have Agaves and Sagos and things to go in it. And some Aloe pups from Pam at Digging, too. Don’t you love that big pot? It’s from Miguel’s imports on Burnet Rd.
And the rock path needs more plants as well. But it is filling in very nicely and I am tickled.
Did I mention that I am not tickled about the grass that’s coming up in the path? THAT is on the top of my list. (oh – and that’s my foot in the picture!)
And, then a greenhouse is going in that bare corner across from the veggie garden. We had one at the last house and when we moved and our daughter was 8 months old, a greenhouse was something I so didn’t have time for. But now she’s started Kindergarten and I am pining for one, so I’ve put it on my list.
So, who’s already taking bets I can’t get even 1/2 of this done? Anyone want the viburnum? They’re perfectly fine, and healthy, just not what I want there. Oh – and I have to divide GIANT Bi-color iris and would be oh-so-happy to share.
Whew. I’m tired already!
Diana, I am worn out just reading your list. I do hope you have some help with all this. At least you have a good overseer, Dakota. If I lived closer I would take your viburnam. I just love them. I let my grow wild I guess, at least I don’t prune them.
I read a book last year, I can’t remember the name of it, but it said that animals always choose the best pathways through a space so your dog path will work out just great no doubt.
I do like that big jar. I would like to have one similar to it. I have one but I would like another one. They make such good statements in the garden.
When you get your greenhouse I will be GREEN with envy. Lucky lady.
Lisa — I do have help for the big stuff. I’ve got a guy that does landscape installs for me and he will come do the big things. But no one helps me weed! Even the dogs (and the new one is DIGGING!) who go rooting around for bugs, don’t put out the weeds in the process. I’d like the viburnum a whole lot better if they had a wilder look. The garden with the jar is just beyond our fence and looks out over a wild sort of area that’s sort of unkempt, so I like the idea of this little area with some order and color to it.
That’s a mighty big list, but I’m a list maker too and know that it motivates me. Hey, even if you complete just one thing, it’ll still be an accomplishment. At least, that’s how I look at it.
Regarding that left-hand bed that you made last fall—is it as wide as it looks in that photo? I can visualize a curvy paver path winding through there to a bench or sundial or some other focal point.
Pam – that bed is wide, it’s just not very deep at all at that corner — but certainly some other “thing” would help take up space and you’re the queen of shiny things adding interest to the garden — I’ll have to look for something. Thanks for the good idea!
Isn’t it wonderful to have so many plans? I would get that greenhouse as number one. All my life I dreamed about having a greenhouse so that I didn’t have to start seeds indoors on doors! Now I have my greenhouse. I have to admit it is dormant for most of the year but come January seed starting begins and it is my favorite place to spend the day. Good luck.
That is quite a list! It’s so funny because it seems like all of us Austin gardeners are coming out of hibernation. I guess gardeners in other areas feel this way in January.
Will your bicolor iris handle shade? If so, I would be interested.
Lancashire Rose – it is a great place to spend a sunny but cold winter day – with lunch and a lawn chair and a radio and a book!
Vertie – you’re right, it does feel like coming out of hibernation! That’s a good way to put it. I think the bi-color will handle a fair amount of shade – the ones I need to divide the most are early morning sun and shade the rest of the day.
Diana, you’ve got a great yard to work with! I can’t wait to see it after you get your chores marked off your list!
Robin – thanks — it’s big. Which makes it hard to make little “rooms” and vignettes and to add charm to such open space. At this rate, my list may take me years to finish!!!
Diana,
If you don’t have other takers, I’ll take your Viburnum. I have one growing now as a background plant, but it’s so small it will take years for it to become a real background. Is it a Spring Bouquet? Does it bloom in the spring?
Your gardens look lovely – so many different things to look at! I’m jealous of the space you have, especially for a Garden Greenhouse. I bought that recent book “Garden Sheds and Houses” and there are so many beautiful, creative buildings in it to ooh and aah over.
Have fun with your projects! I’ve been planting a lot myself; I’ve learned to dig bigger holes than I ever thought would be possible for me.
Robin – you’re welcome to the viburnum. They do bloom in the Spring and they are nice shrubs. I’m meeting on Monday with the guy who will dig them up and will let you know when they come out. They’re pretty big and will need to come out with big root balls to be transplanted successfully. I’d love to see the Garden Sheds and Houses book – that sounds like eye candy!
Oh, I need to write down a list myself, but every time I contemplate the many holes I’m going to need to dig and the cost of materials, my knees start creaking pre-emptively! It’s going to be a busy, busy cool season, here at my house. But motivation-wise, I love looking at before-and-after posts on other people’s blogs, and I can’t wait to post some of my own. 🙂
Lori–I just wish it would cool back down 5 degrees – that’s so helpful with motivation! It’s still so doggone hot! But, I’m a list person at heart. Nevermind that two days of weed pulling had me on a heating pad night before last!