Garden Projects # 9

You got a keeper, no matter how tardy he was, in that mason. Your plan turned out stunning. Patti

I am so pleased.I will have him back next spring to do 2 more.

very effective & the plants already look nice. Certainly the paths will add to it.

Thanks irisMA
I have planted some creepers and crawlers that will really make a difference in a year.

Victor, you're right about corn gluten meal not working on perennial weeds, but it also does not work on any annual weeds that have already sprouted. It only works as a pre-emergent weed suppressant, meaning it prevents new weeds seeds from sprouting. It will not kill weeds that are already growing.

Victor, you would ask about that plant. I looked it up in the DG Plantfiles. Really interesting. I would grow it. Not hardy. http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/61453/ Pam, I believe you're thinking of the common milkweed of this area. Not sure of the botabical name. The Hairy Balls kind is from South Africa, and the seed pod is in the shape of a ball, whereas our common variety is more in the shape of a yam, fat at the base and tapering to a point at the end.

Patti, nice pics of Kathy's gardens. I miss chatting with her. I don't have time to keep up with another gardening website. It's all I can do to keep up here. I need to contact Kathy and let her know that I would like her to email me whenever she is having another tour, as I would love to go back. Maybe I could go up there for a visit sometime soon. If you have her email address, Patti, could you please Dmail it to me? I would love to come to your tour, but can't afford the ferry. :-( BTW, I would prefer to do weeding over the beach on most days.

Jo, I love how you made those flowers from the granite countertop pieces and river stones. How creative! I would love the make something like that myself. Would look nice in a large cement base. I have just the spot for it, where there is a step down, and only a big piece of stone at the top. The middle step needs a large stone or poured cement step, and that would be perfect to set into the cement. I had thought about making a ceramic mosaic for that area in stoneware, but just don't have the time. It wouldn't take much time to pour a contrete slab and place stone flowers in it. I look forward to seeing how your new paths turn out.

Karen

It was hard to admit I couldnt do the work myself but thats just what I need to deal with.The scapper will get another job here.His prices are reasonable.
I had some granit chunks left and thought a mosaic on a planter but the cement thing makes me think.

That looks great Joann! What did he use between the stones? Is that stone dust or pea stone?

The path depth isnt standard.They dug 4 inches and laid a mix with course stone in it,then laid the stones and pounded w/ rubber mallet to level.He did this by eye.
Then they swept in a layer of "stonesand" and kept it moving until all cracks were filled.It was like laying on grout.They swept the excess off and washed with a light spray.
I imagine over time the stonesand will settle in.The under layer was to keep the stone from shifting.
On the fountain path there is a large piece of Lilac stone set to look like a diamond.Its really beautiful.

that is the way it is done - almost like laying brick - was hoping it was not concrete with stones laid in, that does not look good for a garden path

watch to make sure the stonesand does not settle too much into the course stone. with bricks and regular sand i usually do three or four sprays to make sure it settles in - i'm sure stonesand is different.

It sure does look beautiful - i do not spend much time on my rock paths here just lay them on the ground, some day i may spend the time to do it right.

We brought huge fieldstones with us to this house. They were left from a patio at DD's old house.
They were flopped along the deck from the driveway .They must have weighed 100 pounds each.
I agree about cement.It eventually cracks where it doesnt look good. Pieces fall out and in general make the path look awful.I had seen stuff like that.

Patti, a great gift for the couple.....I head for the Victory Garden whenever I have a surplus of veggies....usually squash & cukes....and always find a great recipe......Jo....love the walk....will show it to my DS, who has plans for some walkways, & has many stones on the property....no river stones, though, and they made such a nice pattern!

I gleaned the riverstones from the fountain.

Love it Jo!

I love it, Jo!.

he did a great job JoAnn!!!

very nice!

Looks great Jo

Thanks.to think I was so worried.I am having a group of former neighbors and artists friends over for a Garden Party.on Friday. Yes tomorrow. I just didnt want those mud pits to walk in.
Now to find the perfect plants for those bare edges,

Small huechera?

Thats a great idea plus a dwarf
yarrow Desert eve cream
and border lilies Crossover and
Tiny Belle

Yeah, like that combo a lot!

nice pics JoAnn!!!.

Randy leveled off the tree stump and we did this.. the mock orange was from Celeste.. going to be forever for those roots to break down.. so we are trying to make do

That worked, looks good

Wow! Jo, I don't know how I missed it before that you had posted a link to the pics of the finished pathways. The landscaper did a great job. Looks fantastic!

Bill, I did a concrete path with stones once, and I really liked how it turned out, but didn't have it level. Not a pro, for sure, but I did a decent job. That was when I lived in NV. Like you, I don't spend a lot of time on my rock pathways, just lay the rocks in. I do dig the soil first to make it softer, so they go in much easier. They may not be perfect, but I do like the way they turn out. As long as I'm happy, then it's all good, and I do get a lot of compliments on them.

Great use of the stump, Allison. I have done that here with many stumps. I actually love stumps for that purpose.

Karen

Allison the stump looks great.

Thanks .. We are getting mulch after this weekend .. Then I will be happy

Those look good Allison! The mock orange didn't mind the ride home in the back of the truck by the looks of it....it's still blooming! Any butterflies attracting to it yet. Mine is a magnet for bees and butterflies.

This is not a DWARF MOCK ORANGE, it's a standard one that we've had for over 25 years.

Stump and mockorange are nice! We do find if we are trying to get rid of a stump that the easiest thing to do is to take a drill and bore holes in it from the top. It collects rainwater and rots faster.

it did great in the back of the truck... I was shocked when we got home and it looked so good.. I had it down by the driveway so it would not dry out.. didn't notice if it was getting visitors yet.. soon see ...

thanks Rosemary... will tell Randy to do that

That does look good, Allison.

Re hiding stumps, moss helps a lot, too. If you press a thin layer of clayish soil into the top and then add a few different kinds of moss, press the edges in well, sprinkle often, it helps to get them going and before long it all looks very natural.

Agreed. I like putting a few hens and chicks into them too, if I can.

I have lots of moss I might be able to move as well .. thanks!!!.. keep the ideas coming!!!... think I might be able to squeeze a few hens & chicks in the base as well .. just awesome.. and you made me realize I have a bunch of flowering purslane plugs... I most likely can stick some of those around it

Thanks, folks....I need help with a stump as well...it's just sitting in my front yard, looking ugly! Pixie, love the shot of the hummingbird moth!

I like our stumps. When you need to have something at hand, the stump is a resting place. However decorating the base area is cool.

This is a nifty little device for anyone with a simple greenhouse/coldframe, etc. Connect a simple heater and set the temp. I have found the internal temp control (number dial) on my oil filled heater to be very unreliable. End up frying my plants on the porch in winter. With this the heater will be better controlled.

http://www.amazon.com/Lux-Heating-Cooling-Programmable-Thermostat/dp/B000E7NYY8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3PG2V9LPM202O&coliid=I1SVCUI7X66B37

If your going to have a Garden Party,serve the right cookies.
Butterflies,Bumblebees,Rainbows

Nifty stat

Those cookies look too pretty to eat


Just came in from more planting, had to move Agastache Apricot Sprite...wasn't sure which variety it was when I planted her so she was getting smothered....then I had to move a Stella De Oro dl cause the Rose Campion filled the space(and I like them better)
Trying to scout out area for new garden....it's harder to make a decision where to put it with so much space to fill

My heart bleeds... ^_^