Welcoming Yard

Well I finally wrapped up my “weekend project”. Funny how it took me more that a weekend?????? It seems most projects take me longer than I anticipate. That must be why I’m still painting the dinning room. Urg. That project was to be done by the beginning of May. Hmm, just a little off.

Anyway, I managed to get all my plants into the ground or their designated pots before I killed them.

We’ll start the tour on the back deck. It gets full sun all day so not too many meals are out here but we do watch the sunset as often as possible. I’m hopping that the colors of the flowers will entice some humming birds. We had two birds visit repeatedly a few summers ago but haven’t seen them in awhile.

Now down on the ground this is the back wall. It too gets full sun all day. I haven’t had anything planted here before but I got those trellis/arbor things on sale in the fall and wanted to try something here this year. Do think the trellis is big enough for those pepper plants??? Now if I can get hubby to “hide” his mower somewhere else.

I love the color combination I picked for the mailbox. I think the contrast is so eye catching. It makes me happy to pull in my driveway. I can’t wait until all the plants are full. Those colors are just going to pull people right in.

I put a planter around my light post too just like the one on the mailbox. These vinca vines are from last year. I can’t believe they came back so nice. I added the grapevine to the post just to give it a little interest. I used to plant a vine that grew up the post but couldn’t find them last year and since these guys came back on their own I figured I’d keep them even though they don’t grow as long or trail up the post as nicely.

I’ve wanted to put some sort of ground cover in this rock garden for years now but could never find the right plant to jump up and say, “buy me”. Last year I even gave up on pulling the weeds there and let them take over like a ground cover. (My father-in-law had a field day with that one). The weeds got pulled after that. This year I finally just grabbed something and I think it’s going to work well. We'll see how they fill in, I might go back and get another 6 pack. Now if I can just get around to that park bench. It needs a little love. A fresh coat of stain and maybe some paint and it’ll be good to go.

These are the steps that lead up to my front door. I think I have put a different flower in these pots ever year. These are Zinnia. So far I like them.

Here’s the front entrance. (I’m hiding this time). Ooops, my helper is driving into the shot.

This is the chair on the right of the door before I planted. (You can see how I made it here). We’ve been collecting pinecones at the bus stop over the winter. I like it much better with flowers planted.

This is the wash tin to the left of the door. I gave the ladder a fresh coat of whitewash. Basically just some watered down paint to brighten it up a bit. I also replaced the grapevine and the lights for new ones this year. I thought I would try my basil and parsley here this year. I usually put herbs on the back deck but it’s too sunny there and they don’t care for it much. Maybe I’ll have better luck here.

Pesto anyone???

Now at least the outside is ready to welcome guests. I just wish I could get the inside finished.
OK, I’m off to paint the dinning room…wish me luck.