Plants and mulch

So here's what we started with:

Then, we tore some rose bushes out and got to this: 

Most recently, we tilled up the dead and live grass and tore out some more random plants as well as the tree stump: 

This weekend it was supposed to rain like crazy, so didn't think any progress would be made. But after seeing that perhaps it wasn't going to rain, Rachel and I bundled up Adeline and made a trip to Home Depot and bought this: 

http://www.smgrowers.com/products/plants/plantdisplay.asp?plant_id=420 

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2506/golden-variegated-sweet-flag.php 

http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/new-zealand-flax-coastal-flax/index.html 

We wanted drought tolerant/low water plants. Unfortunately, somehow we missed that the Variegated Acorus "likes damp to wet soil". So I guess we'll see how long it lasts before dying and then being replaced with something less thirsty. 

We ended up with this: 

We still need to put some sort of rock/brick border between our lot and the neighbors as well as add a path that goes to the backyard. But it's getting there!

Total investment so far: $215

More sideyard progress...

Now that the weather is starting to get nicer, we decided to tackle the sideyard, especially after seeing the quote "the best gift you can give your neighbors is a well kept yard."

I posted back in September about where we left off, here.

This weekend, I tore out the stump, the other living plant on the side (other than the tree). Then, rented a tiller from Home Depot and spent 3+ hours tearing the dirt/grass apart. The tiller made quick work of the area, but it wasn't easy at all; going to feel it tomorrow.

Then we put down some landscape cloth which will help prevent random plants and weeds from popping up in the future. The next step will be buying some drought resistant plants, and some mulch or rock.

 

Thinking of using something like this for the walkway $2.48 per stone at Home Depot:

 

some progress...

Tore out the rose bushes on the side yard (don't worry donated them to my mom to replant) and though its not really noticeable in this picture (or the previous) the tree was growing/planted at a steep angle. I straightened it a lot by simply pulling on it and then packing the soil down so that it wouldnt fall over again. In a few weeks I'll pull it again and maybe reinforce it with a stake.


Were thinking of doing something simple such as a river rock path like this for now to roll out the garbage/recycling cans to the street that goes to the driveway. And a river rock divider to separate our area from the neighbors'.

the side yard

 

Unfortunately, the "after" photo is still to come...