I've terrible about posting crafts and baking projects on my blog lately. No, I haven't become a professional movie reviewer or Daniel Craig stalker, I've been gardening!
At left, is step 8 of our process to clean up our back garden. The first steps were to clear out the ground cover. That took a lot of effort. We had a bush and some stumps removed. Jeff dug up a ton of big rocks. I've planted 40+ perennials and we have to add topsoil (oops -should have done that first but the clock was ticking on those plants), mulch, a brick wall (oops - should have done that first but see above), and some type of fence to hide the atrocious, ant-loving railroad ties that separate us from our friendly neighbors. Please humor me and enlarge to enlarge the photo at right of the evil garden we have worked hard to rid.
This isn't any old garden. It is a butterfly garden! That's right, I don't want garden spider as my only friend in this garden. In fact, garden spider could keep quite hidden this summer, please. I happen to love all the plants I have put in but my main reason is Aidan used to sing this song he made up: butterfly, butterfly but-ter-fly. So sweet, so magical. So we have planted all kinds of goodies from plants that butterflies love to plants that their caterpillars will eat. So far, I've seen a robin, evidence of a bunny or two, a dragonfly, two wasps, and some mosquitoes. Um, butterflies, please come lay your eggs in my backyard!
To help reach my plants for dead heading and weeding, I picked up 3 lannon stones from a quarry just north of here. I also placed a concrete leaf bowl full of water for the butterflies to drink and rest upon. My dad made it - isn't it cool?! It might also be a mosquito breeding pool so I intend on washing it out daily.
The back garden isn't all - we have also removed the dreaded red rock from around the front and side of the house (and some ugly shrubs) and have planted an herb bed, tomatoes and peppers. Lots of gorgeous annuals are planted as well as some shade loving plants on the other side of our house. Did I mention the Columbine? I love, love, love it. Guess what else I love? Moss! Hooray for summer!
I promise to discuss more baking and sewing projects including a sunglasses case sewing tutorial. Here is a peak of what is to come:
I am so proud of the work you and Jeff and Aidan! have done with your yard and home.
Posted by: Mom | June 26, 2008 at 07:36 AM
What a beautiful yard you are creating! Your neighbors are lucky to see it grow! :-)
Posted by: Betsy | June 24, 2008 at 10:21 PM
We don't have a butterfly garden, but are growing butterflies (a 'kit' that we got for Taylor for her birthday)in our house!
Posted by: stacysews | June 23, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Looking beautiful! How well I remember the "before" photo!
Posted by: Melissa | June 23, 2008 at 11:35 AM