Sunday, October 23, 2011

Retaining Wall Love: An Afternoon of Landscaping

So after we finished the new retaining wall, I couldn't help myself. I felt the uncontrollable need to landscape.

At least one side...(especially since we need some serious fill dirt for the other side.)

What I thought would be a super quick project turned into a little bit of a more intense project removing a hidden layer of grass. In the end it was well worth it to start with a clean base.

This particular bed gets full sun (6 - 8 hours per day) so I knew this was my chance to put bright, showy, blossoming plants in the front yard.

I went to Home Depot with modest budget of $100 and came out with the following:

  • (2) 3-gallon Double Knock Out Roses
  • (1) 4-gallon Ornamental Grass (can't remember the name)
  • (3) Montauk Daisies (fall bloomers)
  • (2) Mondo Grass
  • (4) Dwarf mondo grass
  • (4) Bags of top soil
  • (2) Bags of shredded pine mulch

All of these plants are perennials and will come back year after year. Plus there's a good mix of green, blooms and a general color pallet of hot pink and white, which works lovely next to the slate grey of the stone. They also have varying sizes and will stagger elevations as they mature--at least that's the plan.

If you have a Starbucks near you, be sure to check with them before you plant as they often times give out old coffee grounds for free which can help add nutrients back into your soil--especially soil where perennials will be planted. (And it smells good too)

Tools I used include gardening basics:
  • Pointed Shovel
  • Pick Axe
  • Metal Rake
  • Garden Gloves
Voila! The retaining wall is naked no more...


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