Hyperpoofer??
Garden Projects 4 - 2010
No lights yet. One of these years when all the big projects are done, I plan to do landscape lighting throughout the whole yard. But I really want to take the time to design it so it doesn't just look like a bunch of lights all over the place. I may even hire a landscape designer who specializes in lighting.
I would put lights 1st and then plant around them. Depending on what you want to do and do it properly. If its electric then you have to lay your wires in conduit pipes. Thats a lot of digging and disturbing things if stuff is planted.
I would go solar and move them when and where I wanted. Basically No Hassel. Thats me.
I have already done a lot of the wiring so I won't have to disturb too much when I get ready to do it. I buried a pipe beneath the stream as I was building it and ran low voltage wire through it. I also have buried wire going all the way down to the shed. Unfortunately, I don't get enough sun for solar lighting.
There is definitely an art to it. Most I have seen, I don't like. I keep saying one of these days too. I hate those standard black yucky fixtures - especially when they're left so obvious. I prefer the more expensive attractive fixtures for the ones that need to be seen. I like hiding them even more.
I couldn't agree more - it IS an art. You know you've done it well when you don't really even notice the lights - you only see what is being illuminated. Unfortunately, I also tend to have expensive taste! That's why it's on hold for now. I figure in 3-4 years I won't have any room left for plants so I can put all my gardening budget toward lighting.
Yes.
As for getting to the point of not fitting any more plants...
Hypertufa.....
http://www.timpyworks.com/pamphlets/hypertufa-101/101.html
Not gonna happen?
I've been saying, 'That's it. Can't fit anymore!', for a few years now. Still fitting somehow.
Love the waterfall, SOJ....I have a slope in back where it would look soooo nice....I also have a son who's a landscape architect.....not holding my breath over it....his specialty is playgrounds...yeah like I want one of those in my backyard!
btw soj the waterfall looks great - where is the spot for the lantern?
Victor can I borrow the shoe horn?
Bill, I think the lantern is going by the little patio pond where my best JM resides. Have you checked recently for sales?
Celeste, that's a great link on Hypertufa. I have so many other things I'd like to make but there is never enough time. One day, I'd really try to make some "faux bois" sculptural thing. Or maybe redesign my fountain. Right now I'm starting to work on a sculpture of my dog Seamus out of a cement mix.
Thanks, Ngam and Karen- I think the hypertufa blocks will work out if I can get them totally covered with moss. I saw a guy on tv recommend actually gluing on moss with a hot melt glue gun to get it started....might try that if the moss milkshakes I'm painting them with don't work.
Christina, I bet your landscaping will be even more amazing when you get your lighting! And I am totally out of room more plants....no more squeezing anything in.
soj no i haven't checked recently. I am thinking around holidays might be a good time to check.
How luvly that everyone is busy, busy, busy.
Cousin Nut no worries about the dahlias. They will just rest until the soil gets warm and then sprout. Dahlias are very forgiving.
Pixie LUV the pics of the finches. I have a male house finch that is brazen and competing with the big birds at the open feeder for the black sunflower seeds. A first as they usually stick to their niger feeder. I'm hoping he will find a hottie and nest in the garden ^_^
SongsofJoy HOLY MOLY!!!! I showed my true luv your pics saying "I NEED THAT!" Way worth the back ache IMPO. You should be poofing with pride.
Noreaster BRILLIANT idea about the cinder blocks/tufa. Now if I could only grow moss in my dry climate (sigh). I wonder if lichen would grow in that medium? More pics please of your project as it develops.
I am absorbed with my baby seedlings and sproutlings at the moment all who are refusing to remain babyish. Ya at least a month til I can plant out :O
I have been in potting up world myself D-nut.. my back is shot!!!
I think we NEED a thread for the baby seedlings, sproutlings and direct sowing onewish. (I think many are doin it cuz we send seeds back and forth so I know its true). I'm going to start a thread. I only hope I don't make a typo like wha. (tee hee)
Celeste, thanks for the link for the hypertufa. I'm going to have to try that sometime along with all my other umpteen million cajillion projects. He, hee! :0)
SofJ, I have way more than 3 or 4 years to go before I have no more room for plants. I would love to do solar lighting, but I have yet to see any that are bright enough. Always just little pinpoints of light, never really cast any real light on the scene. Not that it needs to be super bright, either. You know what I mean.
Cousin Nut, whew! Thanks! That's good to know my dahlias won't suffer. Very forgiving, like DL's, unless of course they're left in the ground over the winter. Then it's "bye, bye!"
I have been potting up tons and tons, though not seedlings, but divisions from my gardens for selling, trading and giving away. Look at all the stuff I've potted up. Looks like a regular nursery I've got going here.
Karen
I'm redoing this bed. DH pulled out the shrub that used to be here, it took over. Sat we bought plants for it. I've got 2 clems to climb the trellis.
love a new start!!!
Oh, and talk about my back aching. Oy! I'm in pain, and not just my back. And not just from potting up stuff and spreading mulch and weeding, either.
SofJ, you inspired me to tackle my pond today. I finally got it cleaned up and got the waterfall and fountain going. Nothing spectacular nor natural looking as yours, but I think I did a fair job on a $50 Walmart kit from about 5 years ago. Oh, and I decided I needed to make the rocks around the edge of the pond look much better to hide the liner more, and I made my waterfall bigger. I don't like the look of the waterfall. Not natural enough. I want to tackle that project this year, but not yet. I have too many other things going on now.
Here's my pond before cleaning it.
Karen
Oh, that's gonna look nice, Jumper!
Getting started on draining the pond.
Karen
don't downplay that pond.. it's beautiful!!!
and you could have moved the duck in the 2nd shot... LOL
Thanks, I'll post pics of the progress.
All drained and cleaned, now I've started refilling it. Was testing the fountain head, but that one shoots up way too high and wide for this little pond. It never was that spectacular before. I don't know what got into it.
Karen
Thanks, Allison. LOL! about the duck. It's a Canada goose decoy, plastic. My sister put it in there, but I've removed it. Too big for such a small pond.
Okay, now I've changed to the other fountain, the bell one, and made the waterfall higher.
Karen
A closer look at the waterfall.
Karen
Now the pond is full and the new rocks have gone around the edge. This all took me most of the day to finish. I just need to do some tweaking here and there to make it look even more finished. As I stated before, I don't like the unnatural look of the waterfall. That can be corrected, but I need more liner, some bigger flat stones and such. Oh, and more time. And maybe a new body. Anyhow, you all get the picture.
Karen
Randy has some crazy ideas about putting a pond in this year... I just kept telling him if he puts it in front there will be less decorating space for the holidays.. LOL (as I just ordered more lights this past week)
Here's a bigger picture. Ponds are not low maintenance, though you don't have to do a lot all the time with them. They take the biggest chunk of your time in the spring when they need cleaning. Good thing I enjoy my pond so much. I just wish I could have fish in it. I've tried several times with small goldfish, but I think I heron gets them every time. They fly over to visit the pond at the cranberry bogs across the street. Free lunch at my place. My waterlily isn't doing much yet. My corckscrew rush is looking ratty, as is the sweet flag. I can't wait till I can put in the seasonal floating plants and snails.
Karen
I like your pond.
You'll have fun with a pond, but when it needs cleaning now you'll be cursing it. Wherever you put it, make sure you site it where you will be able to enjoy it easily.
Karen
Thanks, Jumper!
Karen
Cousin Nut um er exactly what is amiss about that beautious pond? Obviously I would be the duh cousin cuz all I see is beautious. O wait I feel a humble Poo Hum coming on for Jumper2:
Jumper2
twould be you
to make anew
(I see, I do)
climbers two
and much ado
with plantings few
and more so true
a bed that grew
to be the one;
that you so knew
is BEAUTIOUS!
A humble poo-hum by Dahlianut April 2010
Karen, your pond is truly lovely. The surrounding garden is very pretty too. I think all watergardens are just gorgeous, no matter the shape or size. Just the sight and sound of water in a garden is relaxing and refreshing. Great job!
I would just argue that ponds don't have to be high maintenance. I really spend very little time on mine. :Maybe two hours in the spring to get it started and two hours in the fall to shut it down. I usually wash out the filter pads a couple times during the summer, but that's it. I think filtration is one major factor that determines the level of maintenance required. Of course, there is no magic formula, but I do know that my first attempt at my pond (with very little filtration) was a nightmare to maintain. The second year I tore it up and started over, adding plenty of filtration and it made all the difference in the world!
I don't clean mine out - never have. Same as Christina - wash out the filters a few times. Much easier without fish. No hassles. Of course a leak is a major pain and I still have not found mine.