Help! Graduation party in just 3 weeks (pics)

Hi, My son's graduation party is scheduled to be on our patio in just 3 weeks. He and my father just laid in a 21' x 14' patio with red/black 16" sq. pavers.
I have an area approx. 8' by 14' adjacent to the patio that was dug (by my son) but I didn't think I could afford the cost. I would like to do some sort of planting, mulch, etc. We could mound it up a bit? It gets alot of sun but some shade from an adjacent tree.
The other problem that I have no idea what to do with is a very old, large tree that will likely need to come out in the next few years. There has been some sort of ground cover underneath. I tried cleaning it up and ended up removing over half of it.
If anyone has any ideas I would greatly appreciate. The patio is beautiful but what do I do around it?

Thanks in advance for your help!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/dala162/Patio?f

Very nice patio. You will have fun planning for the landscaping and installing it. Since you are up against a time limit -- don't rush it. It isn't likely anybody at the party will think anything about it other than the fact that you have just finished and it is a 'work in progress. Meanwhile -- why don't you just mulch it in (you can always use the mulch later in the design) and place a few large pots of bright summer flowers around on the brick and in the mulch -- you can purchase inexpensive large plastic pots or urns or even large trash cans and spray paint the pots black. The color would contrast nicely with the brick and with your house color. Fill and fill with styrofoam nuts to make the major fill and then put a barrier and top with dirt and plant with inexpensive bright annuals. If you have the resources now, invest in a patio set or chairs and a few outdoor lanterns, etc. It will be fine. You can float candles in a low pool (have the boys dig a hole and place it in the ground at ground level) (choose a black plastic so the water will be dark) If you do have the cash ..maybe you can lay some concrete pavers (the large squares) to form a path coming off the patio and end it with a small park bench with some pots of flowers there too. Again, it will be a purchase that can eventually go into the landscape plan. Congrats on the graduation - a great milestone to celebrate.

missingrosie's ideas are great. Just level the dirt and follow her ideas. Don't stress yourself out. You can work on a plan and do it as you have time. Enjoy this time and have a great party.

I agree with Rosie's suggestions, too. The pots would look great and could be moved around later after the area is planted or used to provide height on a pedestal. Do it the easy way!

For Larger plants I have used Plastic Laundry tubs I bought at Walmart. I drilled holes in the bottom for drainage, filled the bottom with gravel then dirt and grew all sorts of fun things. I have placed Geraniums, Dusty Millers and a yellow flower all in the same tub. It was fun deciding what to put into each bucket. The nice thing is you can move them about...not easy but do-able. I love the ideas that have been given. Why dont you post a picture and show us what you do! Good Luck and the patio is lovely!!!!!

I love Missingrosie'sidea, too. You could even pick flowers in the school colors.

Lynnie: Even better! See, Dala, what great minds can do?

What wonderful ideas/thoughts! I just have one thing to add (one of my favorite things): three or four shepherds crooks in between whatever pots you put out, with some type of 'hanging' flower (mayhap place them hanging over the pot...?). Petunia waves are always nice...there are so many choices! Best of FUN!

Agree with the ideas above. I'd just put shredded mulch over area and some plants around. I'd also place food and drink tables with coordinating school color coverings in location along with music set up for party. Try to get as much stuff away from the inside or porch as possible. Put food in one area and drinks in another. This will keep most of the people from congregating in one area and out of the house. To save money you can use sheets instead of table cloths for tables.

It seems that dala hasn't returned to read all our ideas. I'd hoped she would post photos.

Hi everyone,
I can't even begin to thank all of you for your wonderful ideas.
Believe it or not I was called out of town for a family emergency and lost a week, but all is well.
My son is still working on filling/prepping the dirt and then we will be ready for the edging and mulch I believe.
Another question, do we need to put down a layer of the black material to prevent weeds?
I will certainly post a pic or two upon completion.

Thanks again for all the input!!!!

I'd use a few layers of newspaper instead of the black landscape fabric, it's easier to plant through and better for your soil (not to mention cheaper!)

I agree with ecrane. Even though we've used the fabric in several beds, I hate the stuff. Go with the newspaper.

I'm in agreement on the newspaper instead of landscaping fabric. Removed all that from former owners last year and put down paper. Older shrubs and plants (10+ yrs) were root choked and did poorly. Now doing surprising well. To save money - Call local newspaper and see what they charge for end rolls from printing papers. There's no ink contamination problems because the paper is blank. Don't use colored paper . You get quiet a bit usually about 100+ yards and the cost is minimal. In my area one place is free the other charges 50 cents a roll. You will have to put it down 4-5 layers thick. Also found that I can use the paper from Lowes HDepot that contractors use on floors when working. It's about $7. roll and you have to put down less layers. Good luck

Yup, I agree, I have been tearing out that landscape fabric for YEARS over here....I use newspaper now.

Just a thought, you could go to a craft store and get plastic flowers (inexpensive) that are native. Kind of a this is what it will look like thing. The containers could be real plants and the fake just stuck in the ground. Using the fake plants will also allow for mutiple arrangements to find what suits you. Spray with a little perfume for smell if need be. Also when your done you can put the fakes in vases and give them as gifts. As for the old tree later on check out what I did in the beginner flowers forum. Not to toot my own horn but I think it turned out pretty good. The title of the thread is turnning a large log into a planter. I also agree with the gang NO LAND SCAPE FABRIC! If you ever need to remove it it is a nightmare. News paper will decompose and add to your soil.

Can you give me a little more info on the newspaper idea? I am also planting a new garden, starting with around the perimeter of the house. Do I finish with all the soil amendments and put down the paper just before the mulch? As you can tell I'm new at this.

gcorrier: using fake flowers! blasphemy! haha

Only a temp. thing. And give em away as gifts or to a church during decoration. I was only looking a the time issue and how graceful a bunch of new grads are gonna be. :-b so there. he he!

Do soil amendments then put paper down, dampen with water, then put mulch on top. Next to last thing.

Don't get in a rush trying to get plants in ground and prepare for party. If you know the plants your putting down, you can buy them and keep them in their pots, bunch them together at different heights and use spagnum moss or some other items to camoflage the containers. Then you can plant after the party. This also saves the plants since someone always accidently steps in the plant beds or other stuff at outdoor parties. You work and work to make landscape pretty and the day after the party it looks like a hurricane it.