I've been a very busy little bee the past two weeks. Every single one of my days off from work was spent tilling, digging, planting, shearing, cutting, sweeping and cleaning up that little backyard of mine. I had our neighborhood "garden guy" come by to help me with the really hard spots (some tilling work was just too back breaking for me and I knew it would make much more sense to get help for those areas) but the rest was all me!
I had two AMAZING friends help me pick out my plants and give me incredible direction as to what, where, how, etc.... since I have a history of killing cactus and really shouldn't be trusted with any living things.... They both assured me that I would be hard pressed to kill any of these.... that remains to be seen....
My mom came by to visit this weekend and brought down that adorable outdoor tent which she set up for the kids with a cot inside and they have been LOVING IT! Even Kooper goes in there with them and the 3 of them play cards and read and hang out. It's been almost an extension of their room which really helps since the usable space in their room is about the same as the tent, so if one needs a break from the other one, they can go hang out in the tent. It's been a life saver!!!
One of the first things I noticed when I moved in where the hammock hooks along the outside shed.... so OBVIOUSLY I had to get a hammock up! That hammock is hands down my favorite place to be. I've only been able to enjoy 5 minutes in there since setting it up but I can tell it will be a great place for me when I have the time to enjoy it! :)
It's SO much nicer now sitting at the dinner table looking out onto this yard. It's colorful and inviting and warm and just delightful. It may be small but it is very cozy. We love it. The kids and I planted the last final touches today by planting Naked Lady bulbs that a client/friend gave me yesterday. We can't wait to watch those bloom! (Thanks Nancy!!!) Kooper was happy to just nap next to us as we were doing all the hard work. He is completely useless. And yet we love him. :)
For those interested in details: All along the fence I planted morning glory vines and passion flower vines. In front of the vines, I planted variegated elaeagnus and some butterfly attracting red flowering plants and some purple lavatera. Under the hammock area, in the back I planted Mexican feather grass, reed grass, new zealand flax grass, a bunch of Lavender de Province, some santonila, some yellow/orange and confetti lantana. I'm sure I'm forgetting some plants but that's the essence of it. Everything is either native and/or highly drought tolerant and needs very little water. I also planted a big bougainvillea in the front yard which I can't wait to watch grow. It's my favorite vine because it reminds me of my grandma. Her villa in Corsica was covered in Bougainvillea so I have a huge emotional attachment to that plant!
The area that is sectioned off with planter border is going to be a veggie garden, that's the next step! I have total southern exposure in the yard all day long so the veggie garden will be happy as long as I can learn how to have a green thumb quickly.
I'll start off with two BEFORE pictures and then the collage of AFTER pictures which I took today while we were planting the bulbs. I just took them with my P&S so forgive the quality!
A HUGE THANK YOU to Jennifer C. and Aerin M. for all their planting help and advice! I could NOT have done this without your help!!!!
AFTER:
