Pictures, I Have Pictures!

 

After a dozen or so tries at downloading pictures, I gave up and went on with my day. Highly annoyed at the entire process. I did everything the same way I always do, but it just refused to work.

Then, decided to try again, not expecting better results ..... first attempt and it cooperated! Enjoy my peony!

When I planted it, right after we moved here, I put it next to the little porch that leads to the door going inside. This means it is almost hidden. I put it there until I could figure out the yard. You might recall that the yard was pretty non existant. Rocks led right up to the entry with a very small patch of grass that ended at the ravine. So, pretty much no yard at all.

Since then I have spent many hours raking all the gravel away and sowing grass seed every year. The winter's cold purges the rocks to the surface and I spend the first couple of times mowing, stopping to pick up rocks. The areas of the yard I have seeded finally look like a yard and after that peony goes dormant, I will be moving it to a more prominent location ..... yet to be decided.

There was one spot of the yard that I gave up on and planted a big rock and dianthus and other things in. The dianthus is the only thing that would grow there. I tried various other plants and even tree saplings. No matter how much top soil and care I gave to this little garden, it never thrived. I think perhaps this was where many a car was parked and the gravel is so packed down after years of having a heavy vehicle atop it. The man who sold the property to us lives not far away and used to live here. A nice enough man, but a bit strange (aren't we all?). He has many vehicles. Two vans and three or four trucks, all in varying shades of red. All parked in front of his house and along the side.

He owns a good many lots that he rents out to seasonal people, as well as those who live here full time. He maintains the well and sewer for a small annual fee. Worth every penny if we never have to worry about a clogged sewer that needs attention.

Anyway, I am determined to have a nice patch of lawn to greet me when I walk out the door. Since putting up the retaining wall, I have moved all the plants from that patch of my yard and relocated them.

This is the lower retaining wall. I will leave a gravel path to the side of the house that leads to the back yard. The dianthus looks none the worse for wear after being disturbed.

This is the area now. I put down several bags of top soil and sowed seed. I sprayed it with water every time I walked by. Now it has rained for the past three days. Keeping my fingers crossed that the seed will take hold. 

I haven't ventured out yet to see if any seeds have germinated. It is still overcast with more drizzling rain in the forecast. Today I will join HeWho on an adventure to the home improvement store in Franklin. I have yet to visit this one and who knows what delightful plants may be awaiting my rescue?