Fabulous Backyard

The whole family is working on making a great backyard. For the last 2 weekends we have all spent an amazing amount of time picking up rocks, arranging them, digging up dirt and grass and we really have just begun because the ideas keep coming faster and faster.

As of today, we are all very sore and even more sunburnt! Swallowing motrin kind of sunburnt. But here is some of our 'product'.

These are the two garden beds with the rock work completely done.

They are very long-- about 19 feet apiece and about 6 feet wide (one the inside). So we knew with this much to fill in with dirt we had to go big. Therefore we killed the grass, covered it with a permeable tarp and hired a dumptruck to bring us out what is called Vegtable Garden dirt. I guess it is the kind that has the best compost and a mixture of sand and good, clean dirt. I think it was about 2 tons worth.

So we spent the day with a wheelbarrow filling the space up.

And here is what we got-- already have the tomatoes in and some cilantro. The rest is growing from seed so it will be about another 2 or so weeks before it goes into the ground. But I have all sorts of good stuff to plant.

Then we got started on 1 of the 2 flowerbeds that are going in the backyard also.

This one is off my kitchen/dining area. I made sure that I got plants that won't ever block my view. There will be another garden on the other side of the house that will be at least 20 feet long. Still trying to get the energy together it get it built.

Today Keith is mulching all the beds, and installing lights in the garden bed in front of our house. We replanted the small bed in front of our house too. And for the finishing touches we added some hanging flowers and a hummingbird feeder. Really and truely, going all out this summer.

Then another exciting landscape adventure is taking place, except we aren't doing it! That is exciting!! The back piece of our property is a mess and our land is eroding very quickly. Construction of homes behind us will begin soon so we have to get it under control before it becomes too difficult. Therefore we hired some fellas to extend the retaining walls on both side of our land. They worked all day yesterday and got the concreat poured. We have some exciting plans to get the back part done and get in some trees and hardscapes.
Here is a little reminder of what it looks like

There is still another 20-30 feet of land beyond our grass and there is a lot of leftover construction stuff---so this will serve as the before picture and hopefully in the next month or two I can post a great after picture.

This picture is of a frame I did for Brittlyn. I sent it to her last week so hopefully it will be in her hands by tomorrow--- It is a cute pink and black theme!
Love it!