Playing in the Dirt
As I hoped, I got to spend some much-needed time playing in the dirt this weekend. When I think of the landscaping on our property, I think of it in zones: front garden, front side garden, back garden and back side gardens. If I thought of it any other way, I would be totally overwhelmed because….well, we have a lot of gardens and to tend to them all in one day is impossible! On Sunday, Mother Nature granted me a gorgeous day, so I got down to work on the front gardens (solo, I might add, as Ted was in Montreal for the Grand Prix — lucky guy!)
I was so gung ho to get started that I forgot to get before photos of the front garden. Really, it wasn’t in bad shape — it just needed a heavy de-weeding, some plantings and a serious mulch session.
But, since everyone loves a before and after, here is the before picture — like “circa-2008-what-the-heck-have-we-gotten-ourselves-into” before picture.
Yep. It needed some work…..as in new interlocking, roof, upper windows, garden beds, plants, trees and overall curb appeal. Granted, when we moved into the house in 2007, there were gardens in the front with shrubs, perennials and other plants. However, being the over-zealous, eager, first-time homeowner that I was five years ago, my Dad and I ripped out the front garden (I see a trend — Ted was also away that weekend at the Grand Prix in Montreal) and then it sat empty for over a year. Dreadful. The neighbours hated us young kids.
As you can see, over the past four years, we have done a lot of work to the front. The interlocking, new roof, upper windows and landscaping have all been completed. We’re at that nice spot in our home ownership experience where we are in maintenance mode, not major project mode.
But, back to Sunday. After I gave the garden a good weeding and tilling, I made up a shopping list before heading to the garden centre. I always find that this helps me focus my plant search, rather than wandering around aimlessly and choosing plants that may not be the best fit for our garden. I knew that I needed ground cover and two more hydrangea to add to my lonely, single hydrangea.
I ended up purchasing two Endless Summer Blushing Bride Hydrangea (which will bloom lovely light pink flowers just like my existing hydrangea) and eight White Nancy Lamium plants for ground cover around our boulders and ‘Pendula’ Weeping Pea Shrub.
I looked at a few ground cover options, but I ultimately chose the White Nancy Lamium in honour of Ted’s sister Nancy who is moving across country in a matter of days. It seemed fitting — like a part of her will remain in Ontario, even though she’s in British Columbia. *tear*
The hydrangea seem happy in their new home and I look forward to enjoying their blooms all summer long.
With the hydrangea in the ground, I got to work on the Lamium around the boulders…
…and under the Pea Shrub.
After that was all done, I lugged bags and bags of mulch (solo!) and put down a nice generous layer to keep the weeds at a minimum and the moisture in.
It was a successful day!
Next weekend: tackling the front side garden.
But, first, I need a massage! Sore. Muscles. Whoa.
Linking up with…
{aka} design
House of Hepworths
Liz Mare Blog
Looks awesome!!! I just realized you might live near my hubby’s aunt’s house – her house is exactly like yours!
Ahhh, yes…..the ever popular “PacMan House”, or at least that’s what we like to call it.
There are pockets throughout Burlington with the same house plan. I have even found it in Mississauga too. Ted’s grandmother lived in the same type of house in Burlington, except her house was a mirror image. It must have been a very popular style of home in the 70s because we have seen it very often. I have to say, while the outside of the house is rather odd/unique, it lends itself to a great floor plan inside!
Yes her floor plan is great! She’s even turned the garage into a sitting room for more space. I love what you’ve done to the outside – such an amazing improvement from when you bought the house!
Smart! That would lend so much extra living space! Does she have a one- or two-car garage? I would love to turn the garage into a little workshop for us one day.
It was a one car garage I think – she knocked down the wall between the garage & the entrance and then added a walk out to the back yard and they put a regular window where the garage door would have been – it works so well!
What an improvement….you guys have done a great job. I’m envious of your birch tree….i just love them
Thanks Janet! It has been a labour of love!
I love our birch tree too. When we moved in, we were worried that it was dying. We had a “tree doctor” come and look at it and he gave the tree a treatment or two and it’s been better ever since!
Aw, I’m touched!!! Thanks, Michelle
(sob, sob) Everything looks fabulous, as usual!
Your garden is amazing. What a great transformation!
Thank you Nicole! It took many years of work but we are pleased with the progress.
Shelly,it looks fabulous. You have inherited your dad’s green thumb.
Thank you Auntie Day! xoxo
You house is so neat! There’s one in nearby Anten Mills and I always ogle it.
Thanks Ashley! The roofline took me some time to get used to the house, but now I love it! I like how it’s different from other bungalows.
Looks fantastic! Those rocks are fantastic…jealous of your tree too!
Thank you Sundeep!
Ahhh….the rocks. The rocks that we installed ourselves! Looking back, I would have paid someone to put those in for us! SO. HEAVY.
Just hopped over from Liz Marie Blog– I love this! I recently put a few flowerbeds in my front lawn and now the waiting came begins! Can’t they just grow overnight?
Wow that looks great. I especially like how the rocks by the tree anchor it and add some interest. I did a flower bed makeover for all my flowerbeds, one at a time and it took about a month. I blogged about it here: http://controllingcraziness.blogspot.com/2012/05/flower-bed-finale.html
Thanks for sharing.