posted
Hello all, thanks to those who helped me with the birds of paradise, they are doing much bette!
Ok, here's my situation-- I am a VERY inexperienced gardener. But since coming here and reading all the great info I've been bitten by the bug. I didn't even have to go outside to get bit.
Our house has a great back yard and we don't really need the front yard, so eventually I'd like it to be fully garden, with paths and lots of color and water features, etc. BUT being so new to gardening, I want to start small. My yard is about 30x25 or so. It faces due East and gets full sun until afternoon when the house shades it. There is one flower bed under the eave which houses some roses, birds of paradise and two plants I don't know. (they are in the mystery plant section already)
I would like to add more color in the existing bed, maybe fill in around the plants that are there already. I'd like it to look less planned. right now it's two of this, one of that, two of this, etc. in symetry from end to end of the bed. Oh, and I love fragrant flowers.
Also from reading Bill's articles about gardening with children and butterfly gardens, --
"What about if you work together, and build a teepee frame out of six foot bamboo poles or inexpensive 2x2's which have been joined at the top? A few bean seeds planted at the base of each stake, will quickly sprout, and begin climbing to the top of the pole. With a little training to keep the vines growing in the right direction, the entire frame will soon be covered with thick foliage, followed by dainty flowers, and then, (ick) the green beans. In the meantime, a cave of sorts has been created beneath this architectural wonder. "
I'd like to build a morning glory teepee in the yard for my daughters. here are several questions about that: 1.Will it work as well with morning glories as with beans? 2. can I just dig holes for the posts or bamboo and seed right around the posts so I can save the grass inside for my girls to play in? 3. how far apart should the posts be? I'd like the diameter to be about 3 to 4 feet so it could accomodate 3 or 4 preschool age children 4. can the morning glories tolerate sprinklers when I water the yard? 5. which direction should the "door" of the teepee face in order for the grass inside to keep growing? 6. do I need to prep the soil in anyway before planting? WHEW! I'm tired already!
ok, here's a link to pics of the yard and those two mystery plants. Couldn't help putting one of the pool I'm so prone to bragging about.
posted
while i probably have room for both, i'm not sure I want to attempt too much the first go-round. also i have a skeptic husband who would probably feak if i tore up the whole front yard at one time. My plan is to gradually take over one square foot at a time. but tell me more about the sunflower fort, the idea intrigues me!
bbbbbbbbb rellie
From: bellflower, ca | Registered: Jan 2004
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I will be trying a modified version in my yard this year, instead of a fort, I will be doing a sort of 'fence' with the sunfloers and morning glories to divide the driveway from my new garden...we will see how it works!
bbbbbbbbb
We do not see things as they are, we see things as we are.
From: S. Lane Co., Oregon | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Somebody I know did one of those Sunflower Forts, let me think, last year I was talking to them about it, I will have to go back in the archives and check it out..... Ok, diving in as Catlover would say!!
Be back!!
Weezie
bbbbbbbbb Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
Celebrating 10 years of helping your gardens grow!
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