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| The load of annuals some friends and I picked up |
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| Visit several garden centers to get the best deals and healthiest specimens |
Helpful Hints
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Water deeply, for long periods, early in the morning
(when needed) 1-2 times per week instead of for short periods daily. It will encourage your plants to build stronger
root systems. Watering in the evening encourages pests and disease, like powdery mildew. Established perennials
won't need watered as frequently as tender bedding plants and annuals do.
Anatomy of a landscaping project...
For several years I wanted to do something with the
flower bed at the back of our house, but our dogs always seemed to get into it and mess up what I'd start.
We decided to put up a wall to protect the roses and
other plants in the bed, and I have to say I'm thrilled with the end result...and it's truly dog-proof....ask Boogerman, the
Newfie.
Here is a picture of the bed 'before'...
| As you can see, it really needed SOMETHING |
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Step 1: Push back the existing decorator rock
and remove the landscape timbers.
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| We had to be careful not to cover or damage existing plants |
Step 2: Dig out a trench wide enough for
the bottom layer of block. Use sand to ensure a level area for blocks to settle in. Start laying out the block
for the wall.
| Don't forget the sand! |
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| It's important to stabilize the block and keep them from shifting. |
Last step: Lay the first layer of block and
make sure they're straight. Apply a layer of block adhesive and lay the second row. (The adhesive will help keep
them from falling over if a 120# dog decides to lean on them...) Stop periodically and check that you're keeping them
straight and they're overlapping / locking in. Back fill the trench, really packing / pushing the dirt up against
the block to help keep them in place.
Finished project! The wall was intended to be
3 layers high, but my husband bought 12 extra block so I decided to make a 'tower' on one end to use them up.
Below you will see pictures of some of our flower beds...Planning
what to put where is part of the fun of gardening, but if you find the idea overwhelming, I would be happy to help you plan
a new bed or garden area. I can also create "starter garden" packages, where you can get up to 50 plant starts for only
$35.00. Limited availability. Email for info.
| Hostas, ferns, and Jacob's Ladder |
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| They thrive in this corner bed in the shade |
| The same bed in early spring |
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| It's amazing to watch them go from bare to overflowing in a few months time! |
| In early May this bed is just starting to show |
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| By July it's nearly overflowing with blooms |
| Hardy geranium, sedum, coneflowers, maidengrass |
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| I have to move the stepping stone out by June |
| Another shot of the 'fence bed' in the 1st picture |
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| Changing the colors and types of annuals used yearly keeps it 'fresh' |
| Hostas, ferns, and sedum border the front porch |
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| It's amazing how well they do in the worst soil on the place |
| Zinnias are an annual I start with seed every year |
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| You can't beat Zinnias and marigolds for adding color |
| This is what I call "The Jungle", our 1st bed |
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| Obedient Plant, Tall Phlox, Coneflowers, and more |
| A closer view of the 'jungle' blooms |
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| Tomatoes, peppers, and other veggies |
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| Planted at the end of the 'fence' bed, close to the water hydrant. |
| Corn, pumpkins, sunflowers, and more |
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| Planted over a former chicken pen....free fertilizer! |
| Another shot of the fence bed with plants labeled |
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| Taken from the other side of the fence |
Roll Farms
Marion, IN
kritter11@yahoo.com
(765) 618-0837
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![cannas.jpg](/imagelib/sitebuilder/misc/show_image.html?linkedwidth=560&linkpath=http://www.rollfarms.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/cannas.jpg&target=tlx_new&title=Cannas are my favorite "tropical" flower)
