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| Side Yard: Before |
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| "The Meadow" |
On Friday, when M was here, he cleaned it up for me:
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| Side Yard: After |
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| New Growth on Pineapple Guava Tree |
I was very excited to see that the pineapple guava tree, that had died and we cut down, seems to be re-growing! I need to remember to water it, so it will continue to grow!
Well, the side yard is now an almost blank slate for me to try to landscape! The square cinder block near the side of the house marks the spot where one of the openings to the sewer pipe (for easier access as needed) is located. I had oleander trees growing along the wall, at one time, but, they had to be removed when the sewer line had to be replaced. Then, I grew sugarcane bushes, but, they died during the drought. I have since planted the green pencil-like euphorbia where the sugarcane use to be, in the hope that they will grow.
I have been looking at pictures of side yard landscapes, trying to think what I can do to improve this much neglected area of my yard. The high wall gets really heated in the summer (this is on the south side of my house) and the heat (plus insufficient watering) has been killing a lot of plants I've tried growing here, although the weeds seem to thrive!
I am envisioning this space with a "dry stream" of stones (or, maybe just paving stones), forming a sort of curving path and succulents growing on either side. But, first, I need to put down some sort of weed barrier, because poor M can't spend his time weeding and clearing this area, all the time!
What do you think? Any suggestions?
Your idea for a "dry stream" of stones with accents of succulents either side sounds lovely. Look for landscape cloth in a garden centre or hardware store. Are you familiar with it? It's tightly woven black synthetic material, which lets the water through but blots out the light, thus the weeds can't grow. Perhaps your gardener can find some for you.
ReplyDeletePeggy
Hi Peggy, thank you for your suggestion. Yes, I have heard of landscape cloth. I shall ask him if he can pick some up for me!
DeleteThe dry creek idea sounds lovely. So does a stone path!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can use a combination - paving stones will make it easier to walk on and maybe have small stones in between and around them. :)
DeleteOh, wow! that's such a difference and I do like your plans for it. X
ReplyDeleteIt is a big difference, isn't it? I miss the green-ness, but, it needed to be tidied. Thank you. I am looking forward to getting started!
DeleteI do like your idea of a dry river bed winding through the space. With succulents and drought happy plants dotted among the stones it's going to look amazing. Could you arrange some shallow pools in the plan to give the outdoor cats and other wildlife some easy access to water, or is that too difficult?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. Maintaining the pools might be a bit of a problem - I do have a large bowl of water for the cats, near the back steps. I used to have a bird bath, but, I don't have it now, since I don't want to encourage birds only to have the cats try to kill them. Although, the birds who do come to my garden tend to dismiss the cats and the cats seem to ignore them for the most part. However, I do, occasionally, find a pile of feathers...Even so, I will keep your suggestion in mind. :)
DeleteWow. What a difference, Bless! Good job to M. He really got the job done, didn't he?
ReplyDeleteI like your idea for stones or a paver path with some plants around the pavers. Like you've said, with your temperatures and the white wall reflection of heat, many things won't survive.
I'm sure you will come up with a good use for your new spot.
How fun.
A new project.
Take Care,
Debra
That he did, Debra! I just told him to weed whack the area, as I just wanted it to look a little bit less wild, but, he did a thorough job of weeding! Yes, planning a new project is just what I need to take my mind off things. It'll take me a little time to get things done, but, I can make plans and use what I have on hand to get started. :)
DeleteHow about California native plants, wild flowers and edible weeds? They are easy to grow. You can add a dry creek too. 😊
ReplyDeleteNil, those are excellent suggestions! Yes! I do have a packet of wildflower seeds (and some other flower seeds, too). I might plant succulents at the far end and flowers closer up where it will be easier to water them. :)
DeleteSince it is such a hostile growing area for many plants, unless there is a lot of maintenance, I wouldn't put many in there. I like your idea of stones and succulents. Have you thought about making part of it into a Japanese Zen garden?
ReplyDeleteThat is another excellent idea, Live and Learn! The area will definitely lend itself to a Zen garden, wouldn't it? I'll need to have some stones delivered for that, but, it can be done! Thank you!
DeleteSucculents could be a great idea! I as thinking about raspberrie bushes, but I guess it it way too hot and sunny for them. Have a lovely day, stay safe!
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be too hot for raspberry bushes, Natalia, plus, they will require a lot of watering. I need drought tolerant plants that can tolerate 100F (about 38C) and higher temperatures with minimal watering. Hope you are having a good day, yourself, and hope the week ahead will be a good one for you. :)
DeleteHow about raised beds with veggies?
ReplyDeleteWish I could, Ivy, but, it gets too hot there and vegetables will require a lot of watering. However, if my melon seedlings grow, I might transplant one or two, there, to see how they do!
DeleteOhhhh. Okay, that makes sense. Sorry it gets too hot there. Very nice space though.
DeleteI had once thought that I could have raised beds there, but, it didn't work out. But, yes, it is a very nice space that needs to be better utilized.
Delete❤️
DeleteI am wondering what kind of wonderful weeds were in your "meadow", being a weed lover, but then I do understand how impractical it is to have a messy side yard when you have to keep up standards. The dry stone river with succulents sounds like a great solution, but who knows, you may even come up with another idea as well! I look forward to future photos.
ReplyDeleteBushlady, I would have allowed the weeds to grow (at least they were something green and I love how they manage to survive even in the most inhospitable places!), but, I don't want to let things get too out of hand.
DeleteThere were a lot of edible wild plants growing there, including cat's ears (Hypochaeris radicata), sow thistle (genus Sonchus), and filaree or storksbill (Erodium cicutarium). I could have had a salad or at least cooked greens with what was growing there! However, I am not all that fond of eating the weeds (I am not that fond of cultivated leafy greens, either! LOL!) Anyway, I have other edible weeds growing elsewhere in the garden, including lambs quarters, mallow, and of course, dandelion! :)