Shade Gardening: My shade garden progress, 1 by Noreaster

Noreaster wrote:
Thanks, tcs and peg...peg, I am fortunate that I am self employed, which means that I could take time off (slacking off, *cough, cough*) in the Spring to get garden work done . You are so right about needing large chunks of time to truly get anything done...especially if you're doing it on your own like I am.

doss, I think my husband would appreciate it if I spent a little more time taking care of the interior of the house! Oh well!

As for the fountain, I didn't really have a form I used...I just formed a rough disc shaped and then carved out the shape and pinwheel design. I wrote out some detailed instructions in the recent mini hosta thread in the hosta forum if you want them.

I made the statue by first making a clay model, which I then made a silicone mold for and then cast it in concrete, basically. I tried adding some finely crushed perlite to make it look more like stone and less like conrete, but I'm not really satisfied with the way it cured in the end...to light and cool toned when he's dry. I just ordered some concrete stain to try on him...I would like him to be darker and earthier...mossy would be nice too, eventually. He just looks too fresh right now. If it doesn't work I may just try making a new cast with some dye in with the water. Here is a better pic...