So I went ahead and had the landscaping done yesterday. I headed to Southwood to pick out a few plants for the focal point of that area.
I’m going to show you the totality of the yard. This photo below is where my patio door is leading onto the patio.
You can see what I chose to be the focal point of the area they landscaped yesterday. A brown container with red pavers underneath to elevate it.
The pot was once a water feature. But it had the right shape and contours for the look I wanted, and I didn’t want to have to buy something else.
So I had them drill holes in the bottom and I planted a fern and purple lobelia in it.
Now we’re going down my pathway toward the sidewalk, with many containers of plants and flowers and herbs along the way.
Here is a photo showing the rest of my path. The monkey grass looks a bit untidy. But that’s for another day.
Obviously I like things to look tidy.
Here is where my pathway ends and the sidewalk begins. And then we’re going down the rustic path.
These flat pavers were on the side of my apartment. They were taken up when the landscapers were here last time.
I told them I wanted them to create a path for me to my container gardens at the corner because the gravel is hard to walk on.
Pretend now that you’ve stepped off the sidewalk onto the rustic path. And you’re heading down the length of my yard toward Steve’s yard.
I wanted every bit of this area edged with black plastic edging to define my yard. And also to hold the gravel and mulch in.
This way the lawn guys should not be confused.
And now you’ve passed the large cypress tree and you see where the edging ends from another angle.
I couldn’t really have them go any farther, even though technically it’s still my yard, because of the drain. You can see the drain in the above photo.
I didn’t want the drain to be inside the perimeters of the edging in case something happened and workmen had to deal with the drain.
I wanted a simple focal point, because the other side of the tree has elevated galvanized containers. This side needed a little something that was above ground.
In it is a fern and purple lobelia I purchased at Southwood yesterday.
The nurseries are looking pretty bare right now. But I found this fern and purple lobelia.
Morning Glories:
I’ve been planting morning glory seeds and will soon plant the moon vine seeds. The moon vine seeds just arrived yesterday afternoon in the mail.
I planted the morning glories one day and they emerged from the soil the next. Fastest growing seeds I’ve ever seen.
Do you see them below?
Maybe the morning glories will grow up that ugly light pole. I wish I had something to add to the pole because the surface is slick.
Slugs On My Carpet:
Now my problem is that I have slugs on my carpet!
I picked one up yesterday morning with a paper towel. And Maria cleaned yesterday and said she picked up another one.
I’ve alerted the office and they say pest control will be here tomorrow.
Don’t slugs go where there is moisture?
I’ve just got the refrigerator problem straightened out, and now I have to deal with slugs.
I read that the slugs themselves aren’t toxic to cats. But they carry lungworm parasites that can seriously harm or kill a cat.
Oh, I’m ready for things to calm down around here.
I just want to sit on my patio and look out at my yard and plants and flowers and enjoy the summer.
I use Sluggo in my vegetable garden for slugs. It works great. Sluggo contains naturally occurring iron and phosphate and is safe to use around pets and wildlife.
Brenda, your yard looks BEAUTIFUL! I knew it would!
Your garden area looks so pretty! Love it. What a pretty view you have.
Gross that slugs are getting into your house. I know they seek moisture, food, and sometimes shade. I wonder if there’s anything natural you can sprinkle as a deterrent around your doors, windows and vents that wouldn’t harm Ivy? I’m sure you could Google about it and try to find some help, or maybe someone on here will have some ideas.
Do the sprinklers come on where you covered them up?
There’s only one sprinkler in my yard. It stands 2-4 feet tall up out of the ground. Obviously it’s not covered at that height. It isn’t on yet.
Everything looks so pretty. You have designed a beautiful garden. I do believe slugs like humidity check the carpet Brenda.
I have looked everywhere. Pest control comes tomorrow and I’ll talk to them.
Wow, it looks so nice, Brenda! Love the fern and lobelia in the centerpiece pot! And it looks as if the liriope (lilyturf) is starting to grow nicely in the block openings. Will look amazing when it’s filled out and hopefully sends up flower shoots. They look so much like lavender and the bees love them. I had them at my old house.
So happy to see how the garden is taking shape under your loving care. Enjoy!
I’ve got it pretty much how I want it. Of course there will be additions here and there!
Your garden looks absolutely beautiful. The pavers will make it easier for you to walk around the garden. I’m sure you are relieved to have the garden come along as you envisioned it.
Already had the red pavers under the fern/lobelia pot, and I already had the stepping stones. Now they’re being used.
Your garden looks absolutely beautiful. Good idea putting the pavers down to help you walk around the garden. I’m sure you feel so relieved to have it looking the way you envisioned it.
Oh, I am very relieved. And those stepping stones do make it easier to walk on the gravel.
Your garden looks wonderful, Brenda,…so pretty, neat and interesting! Enjoy your hard work!
I’m going to enjoy it from my wicker chair on the porch.
The garden is beautiful. And the brown container looks perfect in that spot!
I just had a feeling it would look good there.
Brenda your garden turned out beautifully! I know you will feel satisfied since it is completed and you and your neighbors can continue to enjoy it for years to come.
This morning I was thinking: Well, it took me one year to get this yard where I’ve wanted it.
Such a pretty yard. You have a wonderful gardner. Slugs — yuck. Hope
that gets cleared up soon.
I know. I’ve never had slugs on my carpet before that I know of.
Chicken wire for the pole would be the least expensive or perhaps a metal trellis that isn’t too expensive…one of those tomato cages could also be used. Just some thoughts. Love your garden area.
I’ll keep looking for something I might put there.
Just beautiful! Now you can sit there and peacefully watch everything grow and fill in the empty spaces. I love your tasteful rooster yard ornaments! And the metal sun…that’s my fave!
I need to figure out how to clean the face of that sun. I’ve had it for a long time and never attempted to clean it before. But it’s looking kind of like it needs something.
You have a real talent for making ugly spaces beautiful! Your yard is now a lovely picturesque space to enjoy. What a change! I’m amazed. I hope you get to spend many hours delighting in what you have created.
Yes, I hope so too! Get this other problem out of the way and I can maybe relax.
OMG Brenda!
Slugs in your house? That’s a first…. My dog Lucy, occasionally has had a small one attach itself to her side/tummy after being in tall, wet grass. I always groom her after exercising and walks. I’m hoping your new fridge isn’t the culprit.
Your yard has turned out so pretty! I love your ideas, and you will be at peace outside. The apartment owners should thank you and the others tenants for the money and labor you have gifted them.
The slugs were showing tracks before the new/old refrigerator was brought in.
The garden is beautiful. I don’t know why I didn’t notice the plants you put inside the concrete blocks before – they are so cute and will be a great camouflage when they grow out. The Chinese maple is a true star. I like the addition of the edging. Slugs – oh boy! Haven’t heard of them getting into a house but they come in just like other pests can get in, through the tiniest openings – found this info online:
Slugs can get into your home through the following entry points:
Under your doors; Under your trim boards; Through vents; Through gaps around low windows; Through gaps in old doors or windows.
Not sure what Maintenance will do, but assuming they put down some kind of bug killer, you probably don’t want it inside the house, to keep Ivy safe. Perhaps you need new seals on your patio doors. Since you’ve been adding plants and flowers outdoors and are now watering more in addition to whatever watering the complex does for the grassy areas, there could be more moisture available that is attractive to slugs. Ground coffee is a natural repellent for slugs (regular ground coffee, not decaffinated). There might be other things (other than some kind of insect poison) that would repel slugs, too.
Thanks for looking up the info, Jan!
Everything looks wonderful! You have created a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy! I esp like the edging, the raised container that used to be a water feature and your new plants!
The management should give tenants like yourself a rent discount for making their property so much more attractive!! I hope it brings you much joy!!
No, maintenance is blaming me for watering my outdoor plants; thinking that is where the moisture comes inside.
Omg, you’ve got to be kidding! Doesn’t everybody water their outside plants? You’re not the only one with a beautiful outdoor space. Do all your neighbors have slugs too? Absurd! I agree, they should be thanking you. You made their property more beautiful. That could be what attracts other tenants. They’ll tour the property and think how beautifulit is and want to live there too. Yup, they should be thanking you, not blaming you.
That looks like an oasis of peace. I know you’ll enjoy sitting outside, enjoying the beautiful flowers and plants!
I’m so glad to have it done. I’ll have to tighten my money belt for awhile. But it was worth it.
Brenda, your yard is beautiful, can’t wait to see it as it all grows in.
There will always be little places where I can stick another plant!
Brenda, your garden is lovely and calming. Great job!
That’s what I was going for: a relaxing space.
Well isn’t that just beautiful….a job well done…enjoy…you deserve it💕
Thank you! Now I shouldn’t have to worry about the lawn guys.
You’ve really made your space so pretty! Love the idea of putting plants in the holes of the concrete blocks!
I’ve never heard of slugs getting in your house! Hope the pest control can eliminate this problem soon!
Oh heavens, me too.
Success!!! Everything looks wonderful and I want to pick a favorite but it’s impossible.
A full glass of sweet tea, your comfy chair and your camera – everything to enjoy your oasis.
I do spend a lot of time out there with my camera, trying to capture birds.
Your garden is lovely, Brenda! The landscapers’ edging is really a great touch. Takes it all up to another level!
Hopefully that will help with weeding.
It all looks very lovely!!
Thank you!