With Halloween behind us and before the big onslaught of the other holidays, I wanted to share a post with you that I have had ready for a while
This summer, as part of my quest to cut down on water usage, maintenance, and because I thought it would add charm, interest and appeal, I took out a rather large area of grass in my front garden and created this new sitting area.
I started out by laying down several layers of newspaper to kill the existing Saint Augustine grass; the newspaper was then covered with a weed barrier. I have had great luck with this technique in the past, with the caveat that any planting must wait until the grass is completely eliminated.
Two truckloads of gravel were hauled in and spread (thank you Juan) and I laid river rock around the edges as a border. I have additional plans to enhance it all but that will have to wait for another post and probably next spring (involving: fence posts, rabbit finials and a swing). But for now moving into the winter months I am enjoying the way that it looks...and my reduced water bill! And what is the view from this new spot? Well, for most of the year except during the high pruning season, why this...
and this..
and best of all...this!
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| "Mexicoli" avocado tree |
Now what do you think...like it?
This post was linked to: Make it 4 Monday http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/ http://www.mybackyardeden.com/, http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/11/time-travel-thursday.html and http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/
Love it! It looks like a beautiful place to sit and relax!
ReplyDeleteIt's simply divine. It's so peaceful. I imagine it would be a favorite place to relax.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful gardens!! I enlarged your photo so I could better study your mix of plants. I'm redoing a portion of my backyard and I'll be using your ideas.
ReplyDeleteThis is my favorite pastime - putting in grass and then spending the next 10 years taking it out and making "another place to be." I have so many places to be that I can't make up my mind where to go.
I love your rock borders. North Idaho is packed full of rocks so we do the rock border thingy, too.
I would use the newspaper method except with acres of grass to rid myself of I use the RoundUp method.
you did a good job! lovely garden.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Looks like a wonderful place to sit and read. I'm envious of your avocado tree.
ReplyDeleteCan I visit?? :) I LOVE your gardens -- how do you leave that spot -- I would have coffee there in the morning, lunch in the afternoon, and dinner too. I am just crazy for gardens and yours is so lovely. Thanks for sharing it, especially as the weather turns the outside gray!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place!
ReplyDeleteHow green it is!!! very beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLovely yard...we had snow flurries this morning! YUK! Thanks for stopping by Pandora's Box
ReplyDeletejust beautiful! so envious of you up here in SD!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE over the top gardens like that, unexpected little outdoor rooms, and natural borders. Just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow thats looks amazing...I love your new sitting area...you have some beautiful landscaping at your home. Being way out in the hills we have no grass and very little landscaping...Although I have been thinking of putting some roses around the house. Enjoy your lovely new spot to sit ~Heather
ReplyDeleteI love your sitting area, but most of all I love the view! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDonna
Your new sitting area came out wonderful! Love the red chairs. Your garden is beautiful...
ReplyDeleteMy goodness that is just gorgeous! I really love little cozy nooks in gardens to sit and ponder and read or enjoy the birds. You have such a beautiful garden!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty spot to kick back and relax! Great 'green' idea for saving water, too! :)
ReplyDeletexoxo laurie
Oh my heavens... I can't wait to look at the rest of your posts later on... I'm SOO envious that you live where you can garden year round! Your photographs and your yard are just beautiful. I've followed you and hope you'll take a look at my blog and decide to follow me back :) found you on Transformation Thursdays!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
www.jamiesoninteriors.com
aahhh!!! I have fell in love again!!!! My goodness, this spot you have created is completely beautiful, each and every detail!!! And what you see when seated in one of those lovely chairs is, my god, is a charming cottage like garden, or cottage itself!!!... my favorite with lots of flowers. I´m totally in love with your home and garden, my dear... so nice to have met you!!!!!
ReplyDeletemuchos cariños
I LOVE it Adrienne!! I could spend the whole day just sitting there reading!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely spot to sit and enjoy your garden. I've been toying with the idea of completely eliminating my backyard grass. What a great inspiration.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at My Backyard Eden!