Gardening in the backyard.

For a couple of months now we have been working on Ms.Tam backyard, for 2 reasons. 1) is that Ms.Tam first child is due in August and the she will not have much time to redo her backyard after the baby is born. 2) her baby shower is this coming Sunday and it will be a big family BBQ in the backyard, so the back needs to be presentable and be able to fit over 30 guess.  It has been a lot of work but the end result is so worth it.
We started by ripping out everything in a 2 to 5 foot strip along the back fence.  Big job! we laid down black plastic for a month and longer in parts to kill everything in the sections.  Mostly due to the really invasive weed commonly called "Snow on the Mountain".

Snow on the Mountain

This plant had taken over the corners of her yard.  When I tell you that Ms. Tam hates this plant, she really despises it.  So started the project.  We knew that it takes a good year for a garden to establish it self which was too long to wait to have color in the back yard.  We decided to invest money in some really pretty pots and putt together some planters with annuals and perennials.  They turn out pretty and colorful.

 

 In the left corner we raised the old garden bed and planted some Hosta, Dianthus, a Cotoneaster Standard.   We lined the edge of the garden in medium river rocks.  

Then we placed black mulch on the rest of the plastic covered area and lined with river rock, then placed all the planters on stepping stones.  Added some final touches with solar lights and some garden decor.

We still have some setting up of tents, lights, decorations and tables for the BBQ.

Then we have fun and eat!

A day in the garden isn't complete without Luna.  She did spend more of the time sunning herself on the lounger.

We will post some pictures of the cake that Ms.Cass is making and the decoration we made to decorate the tents