Today, we're talking about garden projects. Stop by the Lazy Organizer to see her yummy Sour Dough Pitas.I've been wanting to do this project ever since we married and moved into a home of our own. Every time we moved I drew up elaborate plans for our yard complete with labels for different plants, trees, and the perfect spot for a waterfall.
But most of all, I wanted a garden with paths, and I pictured myself tending that garden while wearing a broad-brimmed straw hat (perhaps with a wide gros-grain ribbon tied under my chin), flowery gloves and even a long flowing skirt. Okay so now I'd never be able to pull off the gardening attire, but the PATHS - those I could manage. It's taken over 18 years, but the paths are a done deal.
First, we (and by we I mean Mr. O) made the grow boxes narrower to make it easier to weed and harvest. Here's how they looked last year.
Then we covered the paths with weed barrier (which trust me, I know, is an exercise in futility - the weeds will still come, the little rascals). We also installed a garden edge, driving it down four inches, all the way around where the sod butts up to the paths. (Please do not notice those yellow spots in the grass. So NOT where the dog pees).
Then Mr. O wheel-barrowed in load after load of pea gravel (completely inspired by Alicia at Posie gets Cozy) while I raked it and leveled it out to a depth of two inches.
And then it rained. But we persevered (mostly because once I start a project I fear that I won't finish it if I take a break). We had flagstones left over from our deconstructed waterfall and we used those for stepping stones. Yes, we had a waterfall at one time, but it became a haven for wasps and algae, and then when Ellie came along we decided it would be safer to demo it.
I'd really like to try a waterfall again one day, but the next time (when we win the lottery) it will be done by someone who knows what they're doing and who can make the waterfall look like the one in my mind. The previous "landscaper,"and I use that term loosely, did not. But enough about the defunct waterfall.
Don't the paths look lovely? We just need to sink some of the stones into the gravel and we're done! I love it when a plan comes together! (Name that show) I just have some tomatoes, squash and potatoes left to plant and who knows? Maybe, just maybe, I'll break out the big straw hat and flowery gloves.
