April - phase one of the front garden

April saw the start of the new front garden.  While I was away at a spinning weekend with my Sis the landscaper came and removed the patch of weeds formerly known as ‘the lawn’.  Yay said Pop no more lawns to mow!!!

On my return we got stuck into forming our garden by carving paths, steps and walkways into our very steep front garden.  It is a large area.  The plan is to fill it with plants that:-

·              .                      don’t need a lots of fussing over

·                                     attract birds

·                                     have interesting foliage

·                                    some natives - must be happy thriving looking ones

·                                    decorative without the need for flowers

·                                    a colour theme of red, pink and white

Pop dug out fantastic steps and formed pathways so it is safe and actually possible to walk through the garden.  We worked on the beds removing  anything left by the landscaper and got the soil ready for planting.

We went to 3 different plant nurseries and made our selections.   Then came the daunting time of placing them.  I put it off with a few cups of coffee and some deep breathing and then got  started.  It was  amazing that once I placed one plant it just rolled on from there.  Once placement was decided Pop came along and dug the holes.  I then followed him with some cheap potting mix to add to the soil, and in some cases water crystals, and planted them in.  What a team!!!!

We are now waiting for the landscaper to return to build a retaining wall, and do some concreting before we can get phase two started.

the landscaper removed the grass and weeds

we prepared the soil for planting - I love my kiddies rake - light to handle and does a fantastic job and half the price of an adult one!!!!

Pop dug some steps - steep isn't it?

some of the plants that will make up our garden

Where will I put you???

a work in progress

the paths are formed and part of phase two will be finishing them off

since this photo I have added some ground covers and a few azaleas dotted through as well.  All we need now is for them to start growing and filling out