What have I been up to?

[soldiergrrrl]

This is a recap post, and crossposted to gardening

We've been doing some work on the front yard lately, and I wanted to crow about it.  It's not as awesome as some of y'all's gardens but considering what we started with, I'm please as can be!
 
This is what we started with: BORING!!!!





We sheet mulched the bit of grass to the left of the sidewalk, next to the garage, and put in some Asiatic lilies, a couple of plants my roommate's kids picked out and basically left it alone for a year or so.  Recently, my roommate put in a TON of miniature roses, and my Peace rose.  Then we added a climbing rose and some rose I've had for years in a pot.  (Oh, and I ripped out the stupid ugly hedges this weekend too, which is why there's a big empty spot close to the house.  There will be more climbing roses here Real Soon Now.)



Then yesterday, we had the bushes pulled from the other side of the porch.



Some of the lantana got a bit mangled, but we've replaced the three that didn't make it, along with part of a sprinkler pipe those stupid shrubs grew around...

Finally...(I'm sure you're all ready to get this post over with already!), we've ended up with this:



And the bed by the garage, after re-laying the soaker hose, and mulching:



The Asiatic lilies are probably going to be yanked out and replaced with drift roses, or very low shrubby roses, as they're gorgeous for about three weeks and then they look...well...awful.

There are two climbing roses going in to grow up the columns in front of the house, and another two to go over the garage at some point, but those aren't in yet.

Anyway, I have to give mad thanks to the roommate, who has been a total trooper through this whole thing and enthusiastic about it all, even in 90 degree heat. Also, the husband has been totally awesome through all of this, even from a war zone and Army schools.

Comments

[dekarch.livejournal.com]

I make encouraging noises from other time zones. Don't know how that counts as totally awesome. . . :) It looks really, really good.

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And you are just totally awesome in every way.

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Cool. :)

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[dracphelan.livejournal.com]

That looks really good. It makes your house look so much better. Also, it is better from a home security perspective.

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

I was totally going for the looks, but I'll take the security too.

[fallconsmate.livejournal.com]

that looks wonderful! (and remind him that yes, making encouraging noises DOES count as totally awesome, since he cant be there. its much better than second-guessing your actions!)

and i love the pirate warning. *G*

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That's our no soliciting sign!

[boogieshoes.livejournal.com]

gardening! i wish i had the area to garden this year, as puttering around is a favorite activity of mine. alas, i don't. next year, maybe.

*hugs*

-bs

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Good luck on next year!

[mommeeof9.livejournal.com]

That looks wonderful! My poor yard is neglected. Maybe when the kids are old enough not to tromp on everything, I can plant something nice?

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Yes! And you can dream in the meantime, right?

[citymusings.livejournal.com]

That looks really, really nice! :)

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so happy with it!

[missbethiebee.livejournal.com]

Oh gosh that's so beautiful! I know how much work that must have taken to accomplish and kudos to you. I am sending you wishes of hot epsom salt baths and beautiful late spring flowers!

[soldiergrrrl.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :-D

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

I hadn't thought the original hedges were boring or ugly until I saw how nice it looked afterwards.