New Territory

Himself and I despaired of our front entry as the giant Maple tree provided so much shade that grass wouldn't grow under it anymore.  Himself used to seed and fertilize and could manage to raise a crop of blue grass in the early years but lately, it just didn't do any good to seed it and baby it.  The grass just would not grow. 

The rebellion started up by the house and under the eave so Nana found brick and made a little fancy brickway to make it seem as tho we really didn't want grass there but that bare spot kept growing and getting bigger . . . and spread half way to the neighbor's!

The week before the 4th of July when the nursery's and garden shops start to cut plant prices and their losses, Himself and I threw our hands up, got the spades and went out and dug up that bit of lawn that wouldn't grow grass.  Himself cut out a bush that was full of dead wood and opened the side yard back up to the gate.  And Nana went shopping.  (Do you notice a theme in my two Blogs?  The tough gets going, Himself went to work -- and Nana went shopping. oh.  hmmm,  I may have to study on the significance of all that!) 

However, Nana struck gold at HyVee!  A lot of the perennial plants were marked down to a buck and others were $2.50 or $3.50.  I loaded up.  I even went back and got more because I couldn't believe they were giving me these plants for a dollar!  I had hit the jackpot!  I bought hostas and coral bells.  Astilbies and a half dozen other kinds, all plants that like partial or full shade. Then Himself and I went to work.  We planted.  And planted.  We watered and sweated and cursed . . .  then planted some more!

What do you think?  What? I should take down those Christmas lights?  No, quit.  Don't go there!  I meant, how do you like our newest garden?  I think I was trying to reproduce the old monied University neighborhoods in Urbana.  Give me about 5 years and I think it will be about that lush and green and shady!  And beautiful.  And I'm liking it.  Even if it isn't the "monied" neighborhood.

PS:  next spring I'll get some brick or stone to edge off the garden but that can wait while we hold our breath -- waiting for all those plants to come back next spring!