Front Yard Project

~ By Betty G. ~

The owners of the building I happen to manage decided to give the complex a fresher look and to get rid of the ivy and spider plants as well as some old non-flowering bushes that dominated our landscape.

So, for my assignment this month, I thought I'd give you all a rundown of what the owner's son and I accomplished in one week's time.

Day One - had us pulling up all the old plants and applying a root killer to help keep the ivy from returning. We also did some minor tree trimming.

Day Two - We dug trenches around the block wall and planters to ready them for a new paint job. We also applied a primer coat in preparation for the new color we chose. That color ended up being sage green.

Day Three - The wall and planters were all painted.

Day Four - New Miracle Grow soil and planter mix were spread and worked into the ground in preparation for the new plants.

Day Five - The owner's son, Shaun and I spent the day planting two 5 gallon hydrangeas in the back planters that are pretty well shaded by trees.

In the 2nd tier of planters, went 8 bouganvillas and 8 new guinea impatients.

To set this all off, we placed 11 potato vine plants in front of lower wall.

I then fed and watered in the new arrivals.

Day Six - Here we had a rough day as 60 bags of redwood mulch were delivered and both of us spent the day filling all the planter boxes and areas around the front block wall using every bag had. We also spread river pebbles and river rock out around our 25 foot pine tree and surrounded that with mulch as well.

Day Seven - The owner's son brought 20 more bags of mulch to add to our planters and around the back wall of the building. Then we did a touch up job on the painting we did on day three.

Now, I may be prejudiced, but I love the new look and feel a sense of real accomplishment and the tenants all seem to like the new front as well. To top it all off, the river rocks add drainage and the mulch will act to save water and keep the weeds away.

As you can see by the pictures, the theme is shades of purple and hot pinks.

I must add that we did leave some flowering bushes which included a couple of oleanders and some daphnes.

         

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