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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jul 15, 2015 4:54:35 GMT -5
I've been wanting to create a garden in the front of my house with the bushes behind as a backdrop. So I was at one of the local nurseries and found this garden paper thick enough to use as a base to keep weeds out as a fabric cloth would do. So I thought I would give it a try to see how it does. I also purchased a hollyhock and a mallow plant. Here are pictures of the process.
Then covered the paper with wood chips and cut grass for mulch. Will smooth out those edges today. Am thinking of some stone edging along the front edge but not sure what that will be as yet.
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Post by brownrexx on Jul 15, 2015 6:53:54 GMT -5
Very nice!
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Post by ecsoehng on Jul 15, 2015 8:31:49 GMT -5
Nice! I generally use cardboard boxes. Usually using the double thickness and not breaking them up. Works fine. I usually put compost on top and then some mulch.
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 15, 2015 9:02:55 GMT -5
Looking good!
what color is the hollyhock?
Stone edging will be a great addition. Around here, rounded rocks are very popular. I find them for free along roadsides where they have been graded, or in dry river beds.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jul 15, 2015 9:17:30 GMT -5
Both the mallow and hollyhock are a medium pink. I am not too experienced with flowers as far as what I like and don't like so I got both to see how they fare for me. I might like a flower but until I see it in the garden I fluctuate. Most my gardening has been vegetables. So nearly all perennials are an experiment.
I do like the look of the smooth rocks but I also want to be able to mow at the edge of the stone so I will likely get a flatter rock or decorative stone that I can ride the mower wheels over easily. But who knows...I have certainly changed my mind numerous time before putting this project together.
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 15, 2015 10:32:08 GMT -5
That's part of the creative process! I can't tell you how many times I have moved perennials or changed the shape of a bed after living with a placement for a while.
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Post by OregonRed on Jul 15, 2015 11:44:02 GMT -5
love the statue!
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Post by restless on Jul 15, 2015 12:42:39 GMT -5
Way to go! It's always great to expand a garden!
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jul 15, 2015 14:06:55 GMT -5
My neighbors tell me that they love it too and that it may disappear one of these days. I am taking that as a joke and trust they are not being serious!!
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 15, 2015 14:31:47 GMT -5
Well, at least you would know where to go looking.
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Post by Mumsey on Jul 15, 2015 15:59:29 GMT -5
Shaping up! It look great! Part of the fun is experimenting with ideas in your head. When I planted hostas 4 yrs ago I made a map of the area so I could be sure to space them all appropriately. However, this year it seems they need more space!
The flat stone sounds like a good idea, I use the black edging that is staked in to the ground. I can put 2 mower wheels inside the bed. It's sturdy stuff but a lot of work to install. It is commercial grade, not the cheapie Menards stuff.
Keep taking pics!
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jul 16, 2015 11:23:49 GMT -5
One of the leaves on the hollyhock was eaten. New growth is seen. Wire and a plastic net put around the rest of the plant. I am hoping once it gets big it will be not so tasty! Am I wishing too much? I have to put wire around the honeysuckle too....bottom looking scrawny lately.
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Post by gardendmpls on Jul 16, 2015 17:12:42 GMT -5
Hollyhocks are biennials, so you will eventually need to replace it.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Jul 16, 2015 17:26:50 GMT -5
I didn't know that but now I do....Thx garden.
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Post by desertwoman on Jul 16, 2015 18:04:46 GMT -5
Although they're biennial they will appear to be the same plant growing in the same spot. They reseed and the mass of leaves is indistinguishable from whether it is the old plant or the new plant leafing out. For all intents and purposes my hollyhocks act as if they are perennials!
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