A Gardeners Forum Forums Members History Forum Life 2005 stumped

Well, it's finally here-60 degrees!!!! YEAAAA!! I actually got to go outside today and dig, almost all day. Only problem is that I wasn't quite digging what i had planned to dig. See, dh just sprung it upon me that he plans to paint the house. I have 2 beds along the house, one in the back, one on the side, that I planned to plant perennials-they're fairly empty right now. But that means that they need to remain empty, at least until he's done, which he's working alone, so it's probably going to take a while. I can still plant along the fence in the back, and I still have my vegie garden to look forward to, but we were going to borrow the neighbor's tiller for that one, and I think it's one of the wheels-in-front types (don't they pull you?), so I most likely won't be able to use it, and I'm sure dh will be too busy to do it for me. So that means LOTS of digging (it's a new bed). On a good note, we took out the bushes in front of the house on one side. It looks so much better already, even though it's just dirt and weeds. Here's a pic of what it used to look like- before
I have to get a new pic tomorrow-the little azaleas are staying, although they might have to be moved-I'd hate to do that-they're pretty old (most of everything around this house is), and they do really well, in the partial shade of a huge pine tree. but now they're going to look kind of out of place maybe. I don't really know what to do with the area now. I was thinking of doing some more grass than we currently have, and just a staggered row of perennials/shrubs, 18-48" tall. What do you think? It's the north side of the house, so I've got to take that into consideration. Anyway, sorry for such a long rant-I was just thrown with this whole paint-the-house thing today. I'll make the best of it though-at least I'll end up with a couple more beds to play with, right?

Yep yep yep

I'm the painter at my place so no plants next to the house. How dad managed it all those years I don't know. Anyway I can see the pretty flowers better if the beds are father from the house. And then there is the problem of repairs that require getting to the foundation for one reason or another. I've watch some plant beds get badly damaged because the landlord had to get under the apartments to do pest control, plumbing, and stuff. Maybe as long as you left 18" between the plant and the wall?

Day 2: more good progress: we got almost everything out. here is "after" on the right of the porch: after here is "before" on the left: before1 before2 I've got a lot of planning to do-probably more planning than planting this year. I'm starting to see more and more possibilities as more stuff comes down. Tomorrow, dh has one more bush to remove & I've got to go get shear curtains-you can now see clear through my house! I love it though-it feels so much more open. Anyway, that's my update for day 2.

That's amazing rozy,

It looks totally different, can't wait to see future changes.

Your dh has been doing some work!

If you get to missing those big, old bushes ask your houseplants if they miss them. I am sure they are happy with the extra light streaming in from the windows.

Dianna

Oh ya!!! Everything's out, and boy am I loving it! Inside, it's SO much brighter, and the change in curtains was long-overdue. I have a flat radiator in front of the window that's just screaming for plants now. I realize I messed up my pics, and I'm so excited, here's more:


Plus, we've opened up a small waterview across the street not much, but nice to walk out your door & look at. Soooo....here's what i'm thinking-weeping japanese maples (do these do ok in part-shade?), one on each side of the porch, kind of centered with the first sets of windows. Then, to match the right side, small azaleas to the left, and then maybe a morning glory on the outside, both sides-how wide do those get, anyway? Also, I was so excited-went to lowe's to get the curtain rod I needed and I just couldn't resist the pansies any longer, so I started my front circles didn't get to finish cuz i ended up with 1 6-pack of orange instead of white-good thing I noticed-AFTER I planted them, of course! My neighbor also gave me this perennial-not sure what it's called, but I've seen it before & I love it. So all's good & green over here. Oh ya, and my vegies have started sprouting too!!! (Indoors) Now, if I can just get some sleep........

That looks great -- really opened it up.
Good job! <img border="0" alt="[clappy]" title="" src="graemlins/clappy.gif" />

Gisela