Yard Improvements

For the past several years, I have been letting the ivy slowly make its way across the front yard.  My initial plan was to let it take over this entire section of the front yard from the privet hedge to the dwarf boxwoods and then all the way to the street sidewalk.  As often happens, I have changed my mind.  I wanted to give the yard a more finished, tailored look.  So I decided to divide the yard into two distinct sections; one with ivy and one with tall fescue.

I started by surveilling the yard and deciding how I wanted the line to run between the two sections.  Then it was just a matter of installing the plastic edging.

The area to the left is ivy; to the right will be tall fescue.

This edging is so easy to install.  It has tabs along the entire length.  You simply place it where you want and secure it in place with plastic spikes that are included in the box.  If you are unhappy with your first design and want to make changes, you simply pull up the plastic spikes, reposition the edging, and secure it in place with the spike in your desired new location.  So easy and so much better than the old edging that required you to dig a trench, then set the edging base in the trench and back-fill it with soil or rocks or a combination of both.  The tabs on this new edging are unsightly at first, but once the grass or ground cover grows in, you'll never see them.

Here you can see how I divided the space free-form with gentle curving.  I try never to garden in right angles.  Always free-form.  It gives it a more natural appearance.

And one final view of the large curved area that goes to the town maintained, public sidewalk.

Notice how I curved the edging all the way through the project.  I did not end it perpendicular to the sidewalk.  When this is all grown in it will be a wonderful look with much more character than if I had simply butted the edging right up against the sidewalk.. Also note that I cut the edging on an angle at the end.  Again, this is done primarily for aesthetics.  It looks much nicer - much cleaner - than if I had simply cut it straight across.

Once I got the edging into place, I decided that the Zebra Grass that I got from Valerie when she sold her home in Erie, was out of place.  I wanted it more centered in the new ivy bed.  So I started digging.

The digging was not easy.  We have not had rain for some time so this took awhile.  Plus, the Sweet Gum tree in the background has put out many, many roots over the years.  I would dig, take a break, dig, take a break.  But I finally dug a hole that was large enough to accomodate the root ball.

It was with great struggle that I finally got it moved to its new home, which was probably only about 3 feet from where it was originally.  But that will make all the difference in how this area balances now.  This ornamental grass is about 3 feet in diameter at the base.  In the summer when it is fully opened, it spreads out well over 4 feet; probably closer to 5 feet in diameter.

A word of advice - If you are planning on moving an ornamental grass in your yard of this size, be aware that once they reach this size they are extremely heavy.  I should have hired someone to help me move this or called a friend.

With the grass in place, it was time to finish off the project by adding some nutrients around and on top of the root ball.  This Earthgro Organic Humus and Manure is the best product on the market.  It is many, many times less expensive than some other garden soils.  I purchase this particular brand from the local Wal-Mart garden center.

Once the new grass was in place, there was the issue of filling in the space where it previously resided.  Luckily I had just used the Mantis Tiller to prepare a wildflower bed and I was able to use the earth removed during that process to fill in this hole.  In time the ivy will completely cover this area and you will never know there was anything planted there.

To finish off this project, I needed to seed that part of the yard where I want Tall Fescue.  This well-worn garden seed spreader came in quite handy in getting that down.



I overseeded the area but that certainly will not hurt anything.  The only problem with overseeding is that I'll just have that much more beautiful tall fescue to cut later in the season.

And finally, a picture of the front after all my hard work.  The area we are discussing in this post is just on the other side of the boxwood hedges you see here.  Our next project in the front yard is going to be trimming these hedges.  They are starting to get a little shaggy, so a little time spent on those will bring lots of great visual beauty to the entrance.

Yard Improvements

For the past several years, I have been letting the ivy slowly make its way across the front yard.  My initial plan was to let it take over this entire section of the front yard from the privet hedge to the dwarf boxwoods and then all the way to the street sidewalk.  As often happens, I have changed my mind.  I wanted to give the yard a more finished, tailored look.  So I decided to divide the yard into two distinct sections; one with ivy and one with tall fescue.

I started by surveilling the yard and deciding how I wanted the line to run between the two sections.  Then it was just a matter of installing the plastic edging.

The area to the left is ivy; to the right will be tall fescue.

This edging is so easy to install.  It has tabs along the entire length.  You simply place it where you want and secure it in place with plastic spikes that are included in the box.  If you are unhappy with your first design and want to make changes, you simply pull up the plastic spikes, reposition the edging, and secure it in place with the spike in your desired new location.  So easy and so much better than the old edging that required you to dig a trench, then set the edging base in the trench and back-fill it with soil or rocks or a combination of both.  The tabs on this new edging are unsightly at first, but once the grass or ground cover grows in, you'll never see them.

Here you can see how I divided the space free-form with gentle curving.  I try never to garden in right angles.  Always free-form.  It gives it a more natural appearance.

And one final view of the large curved area that goes to the town maintained, public sidewalk.

Notice how I curved the edging all the way through the project.  I did not end it perpendicular to the sidewalk.  When this is all grown in it will be a wonderful look with much more character than if I had simply butted the edging right up against the sidewalk.. Also note that I cut the edging on an angle at the end.  Again, this is done primarily for aesthetics.  It looks much nicer - much cleaner - than if I had simply cut it straight across.

Once I got the edging into place, I decided that the Zebra Grass that I got from Valerie when she sold her home in Erie, was out of place.  I wanted it more centered in the new ivy bed.  So I started digging.

The digging was not easy.  We have not had rain for some time so this took awhile.  Plus, the Sweet Gum tree in the background has put out many, many roots over the years.  I would dig, take a break, dig, take a break.  But I finally dug a hole that was large enough to accomodate the root ball.

It was with great struggle that I finally got it moved to its new home, which was probably only about 3 feet from where it was originally.  But that will make all the difference in how this area balances now.  This ornamental grass is about 3 feet in diameter at the base.  In the summer when it is fully opened, it spreads out well over 4 feet; probably closer to 5 feet in diameter.

A word of advice - If you are planning on moving an ornamental grass in your yard of this size, be aware that once they reach this size they are extremely heavy.  I should have hired someone to help me move this or called a friend.

With the grass in place, it was time to finish off the project by adding some nutrients around and on top of the root ball.  This Earthgro Organic Humus and Manure is the best product on the market.  It is many, many times less expensive than some other garden soils.  I purchase this particular brand from the local Wal-Mart garden center.

Once the new grass was in place, there was the issue of filling in the space where it previously resided.  Luckily I had just used the Mantis Tiller to prepare a wildflower bed and I was able to use the earth removed during that process to fill in this hole.  In time the ivy will completely cover this area and you will never know there was anything planted there.

To finish off this project, I needed to seed that part of the yard where I want Tall Fescue.  This well-worn garden seed spreader came in quite handy in getting that down.



I overseeded the area but that certainly will not hurt anything.  The only problem with overseeding is that I'll just have that much more beautiful tall fescue to cut later in the season.

And finally, a picture of the front after all my hard work.  The area we are discussing in this post is just on the other side of the boxwood hedges you see here.  Our next project in the front yard is going to be trimming these hedges.  They are starting to get a little shaggy, so a little time spent on those will bring lots of great visual beauty to the entrance.

The Final Voyage of Shuttle Discovery

What a magnificent sight this morning to be out on the roof of my office building and to be able to view this final flight of the the Space Shuttle Discovery.

It was then President Richard Nixon who, in 1972, signed the bill authorizing funding for the development of the space shuttle.  NASA launched Columbia, the first space shuttle, in 1981.

I was 13 years old when the space shuttle program began.  I will be 53 this year.  It is nearly impossible for me to believe how fast these 40 years have gone by.

So, the end of an era.  What was cutting edge technology is now outdated and retired.  What lies ahead for space exploration?  Time will tell.  There have been talks in Washington about contracting with the private sector to develop the next manned space vehicle.  But for the time being, the United States will rely on Russia to transport our astronauts to the International Space Station.

The Final Voyage of Shuttle Discovery

What a magnificent sight this morning to be out on the roof of my office building and to be able to view this final flight of the the Space Shuttle Discovery.

It was then President Richard Nixon who, in 1972, signed the bill authorizing funding for the development of the space shuttle.  NASA launched Columbia, the first space shuttle, in 1981.

I was 13 years old when the space shuttle program began.  I will be 53 this year.  It is nearly impossible for me to believe how fast these 40 years have gone by.

So, the end of an era.  What was cutting edge technology is now outdated and retired.  What lies ahead for space exploration?  Time will tell.  There have been talks in Washington about contracting with the private sector to develop the next manned space vehicle.  But for the time being, the United States will rely on Russia to transport our astronauts to the International Space Station.

Natural Mosquito Repellent

Spring at last!!  Warmer days that meander into the evening darkness bringing with them the fragrant air of spring.  Finally time to get together with friends and family we have not seen much of during the cold winter months.  And there's nothing like starting off the season with a gathering on the deck or patio for a libation and a burger along with such classics as potato salad, coleslaw, and macaroni salad.



Rosemary with pansies


Unfortunately, friends and family won't be the only ones showing up for a burger and some potato salad.  Any multitude of flying or crawling insects will also be showing up uninvited.  So, to keep these party crashers away from your outdoor dinner table, try setting out a pot of fresh rosemary as the centerpiece.  This natural repellent will keep your outdoor gathering "bug-free."  And who doesn't want a "bug-free" party?

Natural Mosquito Repellent

Spring at last!!  Warmer days that meander into the evening darkness bringing with them the fragrant air of spring.  Finally time to get together with friends and family we have not seen much of during the cold winter months.  And there's nothing like starting off the season with a gathering on the deck or patio for a libation and a burger along with such classics as potato salad, coleslaw, and macaroni salad.



Rosemary with pansies


Unfortunately, friends and family won't be the only ones showing up for a burger and some potato salad.  Any multitude of flying or crawling insects will also be showing up uninvited.  So, to keep these party crashers away from your outdoor dinner table, try setting out a pot of fresh rosemary as the centerpiece.  This natural repellent will keep your outdoor gathering "bug-free."  And who doesn't want a "bug-free" party?

Upgrading the Planters

You will recall last month I posted about replanting the planters at the front entrance.  I decided to do a little upgrading to those planters.  Earlier, I replaced the cyprus' that were in the planters with Upright Holly and added the black river stones on top of the soil.  That was a good look, but I thought we could do better.  So I removed the stones.

After those were removed I added this creeping ground cover.

Then I replaced the stones.  Of course we needed fewer stones this time around, so the extras are stored in a small clay pot in the shed for future plantings.

And voila!  A new look for the planters.  As this grows in and covers the soil and cascades down the side of the planter it will offer a much more dramatic look.  Just a simple and inexpensive way to give any planter a little extra dazzle.

Upgrading the Planters

You will recall last month I posted about replanting the planters at the front entrance.  I decided to do a little upgrading to those planters.  Earlier, I replaced the cyprus' that were in the planters with Upright Holly and added the black river stones on top of the soil.  That was a good look, but I thought we could do better.  So I removed the stones.

After those were removed I added this creeping ground cover.

Then I replaced the stones.  Of course we needed fewer stones this time around, so the extras are stored in a small clay pot in the shed for future plantings.

And voila!  A new look for the planters.  As this grows in and covers the soil and cascades down the side of the planter it will offer a much more dramatic look.  Just a simple and inexpensive way to give any planter a little extra dazzle.

Yummy Deviled Eggs

Off to brunch at noon.  I decided to take deviled eggs.  I boiled the eggs last night, let them cool in iced water for about 10-15 minutes and placed them in the refrigerator.  This morning I was up early and peeled the eggs and assembled them.

Boiling the eggs and leaving them in the refrigerator overnight makes for easy peeling the following day.  For many years I would boil the eggs, cool them under cold running water and peel them right away.  Disastrous!  The shell sticks to the egg white and it is a mess.  Not what you want to put on your buffet table or take to the party.

A friend gave me this handy egg carrier a few years ago.  Makes for easy transport.  And you can add the yolk mixture right in the carrier.  Snap on the top, place them back in the refrigerator, and when you are ready to leave, you can get on the road with the greatest ease.

The deviled egg recipe I use is an old and tested recipe that I have used for many years.  Always delicious.  Here it is:

DEVILED EGGS

6 hard-cooked eggs
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon half and half
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Cut peeled eggs lengthwise into halves.  Slip out yolks; mash with fork.  Mix in mayonnaise, half and half, mustard, salt and pepper, Fill whites with egg yolk mixture, heaping it lightly.  Arrange eggs on large serving plate.  Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.  6 servings; 140 calories per serving.

NOTES:

After I mash the yolks with a fork and add all the other ingredients, I use a hand mixer with the whisk attachment to further smooth the mixture.  Then I fill a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip with the yolk mixture and pipe it into the egg whites.

To make HARD-COOKED EGGS

Place eggs in saucepan; add enough cold water to come at least 1 inch above eggs.  Heat rapidly to boiling; remove from heat.  Cover and let stand 22 to 24 minutes.  Immediately cool eggs in cold, iced water to prevent further cooking.

Yummy Deviled Eggs

Off to brunch at noon.  I decided to take deviled eggs.  I boiled the eggs last night, let them cool in iced water for about 10-15 minutes and placed them in the refrigerator.  This morning I was up early and peeled the eggs and assembled them.

Boiling the eggs and leaving them in the refrigerator overnight makes for easy peeling the following day.  For many years I would boil the eggs, cool them under cold running water and peel them right away.  Disastrous!  The shell sticks to the egg white and it is a mess.  Not what you want to put on your buffet table or take to the party.

A friend gave me this handy egg carrier a few years ago.  Makes for easy transport.  And you can add the yolk mixture right in the carrier.  Snap on the top, place them back in the refrigerator, and when you are ready to leave, you can get on the road with the greatest ease.

The deviled egg recipe I use is an old and tested recipe that I have used for many years.  Always delicious.  Here it is:

DEVILED EGGS

6 hard-cooked eggs
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon half and half
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Cut peeled eggs lengthwise into halves.  Slip out yolks; mash with fork.  Mix in mayonnaise, half and half, mustard, salt and pepper, Fill whites with egg yolk mixture, heaping it lightly.  Arrange eggs on large serving plate.  Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.  6 servings; 140 calories per serving.

NOTES:

After I mash the yolks with a fork and add all the other ingredients, I use a hand mixer with the whisk attachment to further smooth the mixture.  Then I fill a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip with the yolk mixture and pipe it into the egg whites.

To make HARD-COOKED EGGS

Place eggs in saucepan; add enough cold water to come at least 1 inch above eggs.  Heat rapidly to boiling; remove from heat.  Cover and let stand 22 to 24 minutes.  Immediately cool eggs in cold, iced water to prevent further cooking.

The Perfect Host or Hostess Gift

Here is a quick and easy project to put together as a gift to your host or hostess if attending an Easter brunch.

We picked up this green gift bag, yellow tissue paper and peel & stick floral arrangement at CVS.  They are easily assembled.  We are giving this cute wicker basket with three glass jars filled with different flavors of Easter candy.  Each jar has a tiny terra cotta saucer as a lid.  These are the small saucers that you use with the tiny terra cotta pots.  We chose Jolly Rancher flavored Jelly Beans, Pastel M&M's, and Cadbury Chocolate Eggs with pastel candy coating.

All you need to do is place the tissue paper in the bag, remove the backing from the floral peel & stick and adhere that to the front of the bag, tie up the wicker basket and bottles with some plaid, wire reinforced ribbon and you are ready to go.  Place the wicker basket inside the gift bag, grab a bottle of chilled pink champagne and your are all set to make quite an impression when you join the party!

The Perfect Host or Hostess Gift

Here is a quick and easy project to put together as a gift to your host or hostess if attending an Easter brunch.

We picked up this green gift bag, yellow tissue paper and peel & stick floral arrangement at CVS.  They are easily assembled.  We are giving this cute wicker basket with three glass jars filled with different flavors of Easter candy.  Each jar has a tiny terra cotta saucer as a lid.  These are the small saucers that you use with the tiny terra cotta pots.  We chose Jolly Rancher flavored Jelly Beans, Pastel M&M's, and Cadbury Chocolate Eggs with pastel candy coating.

All you need to do is place the tissue paper in the bag, remove the backing from the floral peel & stick and adhere that to the front of the bag, tie up the wicker basket and bottles with some plaid, wire reinforced ribbon and you are ready to go.  Place the wicker basket inside the gift bag, grab a bottle of chilled pink champagne and your are all set to make quite an impression when you join the party!

A Brunch Plate

Here's a cute idea for a place setting if you are planning on having an Easter brunch.

The plate, napkin and flatware are from IKEA.  This tiny clay pot and saucer are from Lowe's.  I made the yellow pom-pom inserted in the pot using Martha Stewart's pom-pom maker.  The eggs are Cabury chocolate covered eggs.  I made the name card using clipart from MSN and by choosing a fancy font in Word.  The ribbon napkin ring is from Wal-Mart, secured underneath with a snap  You could easily replace the yellow pom-pom with sheet moss and you could use another type of candy on top of the moss.  What a fun table this will make.

A Brunch Plate

Here's a cute idea for a place setting if you are planning on having an Easter brunch.

The plate, napkin and flatware are from IKEA.  This tiny clay pot and saucer are from Lowe's.  I made the yellow pom-pom inserted in the pot using Martha Stewart's pom-pom maker.  The eggs are Cabury chocolate covered eggs.  I made the name card using clipart from MSN and by choosing a fancy font in Word.  The ribbon napkin ring is from Wal-Mart, secured underneath with a snap  You could easily replace the yellow pom-pom with sheet moss and you could use another type of candy on top of the moss.  What a fun table this will make.

Cute Clay Pots

During my trip to Orange this weekend, I found these cute little clay pots.

They were so cute I couldn't resist.  And a real find at only $4.99 each.  So I thought I'd give this project some thought and see what I could come up with.

Since there is no drainage hole in the bottom,

I decided to put a little rubber mulch in the bottom of each pot.

Normally we use pea gravel in the bottom of a planted pot, but you don't have to use pea gravel.  The purpose of the pea gravel or rubber mulch, in this case, is to allow the water to drain through the soil and add moisture to the soil but not keep it soaking wet which will cause root rot.  So I believe rubber mulch will work just as well as pea gravel.

Once this was done, it was time to give the boys their new haircuts and this is what we came up with.

The boys are ready for the party!!  On the left we've got Daryl Dracaena and on the right is Perry Palm.  I picked up the dracaena and palm at Wal-Mart.  They are from Exotic Angel Plants www.exoticangel.com.

This is a very easy project and a very affordable project.  These would look great sitting on the deck or anywhere outside for your next soiree!

Cute Clay Pots

During my trip to Orange this weekend, I found these cute little clay pots.

They were so cute I couldn't resist.  And a real find at only $4.99 each.  So I thought I'd give this project some thought and see what I could come up with.

Since there is no drainage hole in the bottom,

I decided to put a little rubber mulch in the bottom of each pot.

Normally we use pea gravel in the bottom of a planted pot, but you don't have to use pea gravel.  The purpose of the pea gravel or rubber mulch, in this case, is to allow the water to drain through the soil and add moisture to the soil but not keep it soaking wet which will cause root rot.  So I believe rubber mulch will work just as well as pea gravel.

Once this was done, it was time to give the boys their new haircuts and this is what we came up with.

The boys are ready for the party!!  On the left we've got Daryl Dracaena and on the right is Perry Palm.  I picked up the dracaena and palm at Wal-Mart.  They are from Exotic Angel Plants www.exoticangel.com.

This is a very easy project and a very affordable project.  These would look great sitting on the deck or anywhere outside for your next soiree!