Frozen

It's the second to last day of 2014 and the occasional bouts of wind and freezing temperatures have taken their toll (we're having our 3rd really cold spell since November). So far I think everything has survived - not too sure about the little cypress, but we'll see.

Here are some final pictures for 2014 of some of the more damaged areas. Looking forward to seeing exactly what recovers!

Oddly, this Lilac - the one I want to move in the spring - is trying to bloom.

Pea Gravel

I decided to put the IG to bed with a mulch of gravel, spread over the entire garden. I was out yesterday picking up leaves, and the gravel combined with sunshine gave it a nice California/Mediterranean feel. The lav, rosemary and santolina should like it better too. The sun reflects off the rocks and keeps them warmer.

I can't believe I didn't think of it last year!

The photo is a bit cloudied, but here it is:

FINALLY Done for 2014

Today at last I finally finished the front yard for 2014. As unprofessional as it is, it will stay protected through the winter. I amended much of the soil that we brought in (10 cubic yards - ugh!) with gypsum, vermiculite and most important, good quality compost. I'm seeing a lot of earthworms in the thinner areas so it gives me hope.

Also of note....we had our first frost last night but the garden didn't get any. In fact, it looks very healthy at mid-November.

Some photos from today....

Here's a look around the garden and some other spots where I want to record growth. Plants to be watching: The yucca, the cypresses, the Italian Stone pine, the Arbequina olive, the gardenia, the little Ollies.

The Big Slog

It's the first week of November and there's a big pile of topsoil in our driveway. It was an enormous pile of topsoil, so we're making some progress. We got all the Cypresses moved/planted - I amended the soil the best I could. Let's hope they make it through the winter.

Oh and by the way, I've named them for convenience's sake: Mario, Luigi and Baby Peach.

End of Summer in the Garden - August 2014

It's only been three years and I can't wait to see it at seven.

End of Summer 2014

Not technically the end of the summer season, but practically - it's August 31st. Looking forward to putting the garden to bed for the busy school year ahead. The bigger wrap-up project is the front yard. Some notes and photos to go with them:

1. I've decided to dig up most of the roses and plant disease-resistant hedge roses next year, but with more space and other plants between them. These roses are just a pain to keep clean and healthy and they don't seem the right "shape" for this garden. The little Ollie that's doing well will be inter-planted with them. I other words, I want fewer rose bushes, but the few there are must be low, bushy and easy to care for.
2. Cypress planting and a couple more Ottos is the fall planning project; I'm bringing the front bed further out so it doesn't have to have a retaining wall.