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Thursday, October 7, 2010

My Experiment Paid Off



Well I have got to say that all the time and hard work finally paid off. The picture above is from my new front flower bed...aren't the impatiens simply gorgeous? They struggle through Baltimore's record 54+ days of over 90 degrees. Some days I didn't think they would make it but with enough water, they did. Speaking of water, my water bill arrived and it was 3 times the normal amount for June, July and August...YIKES! But look at the payoff!



How many of you remember reading my post back in August about covering all my grass with black plastic to kill it...well really I should have said weeds with a little grass. Anyway, here's a picture to help you remember what it looked like...



The black plastic along with the sunny, hot and dry August weather really cooked what was under the plastic. I started unveiling and working on reseeding in early September. Most of the grass...errr...weeds had died off with the drought and lack of rain already so killing the rest was pretty easy.



I started by dethatching each section I was working on, trying to work in strips. Then I added new top soil, raking it out as smooth as possible. Then came the organic fertilizer....boy did the flies like that when I wetted it down. And finally the grass seed.


I watered, and seeded and seeded and watered. The grass filled in little by little making a nice lush carpet on the ground. I had to convince a neighbor to take off her shoes and just stand and rub her feet through the new grass....oh, there's no other feeling like it.


I still have some more work to do on the front lawn. There are still some small bare spots that need to be reseeded. And I still have some weeds and I'm taking care of those by hand and pulling them as I see them and as time allows. I've had neighbors stop and look and comment positively about the front yard. I love my new flower bed and front lawn....my last part of this project is to remove the remaining bushes and put another raised bed in that area but alas that will have to wait til next spring, as my budget and back can't tackle another flower bed project right now.

16 comments:

  1. BEAUTIFUL, Dee! Nature has always been my favorite kind of art work!

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  2. gosh you talk about being busy..girlfriend that is a job in itself..your lawn looks devine.we need to do that to ours..there is so much growing in it..but not grass..alot of moss, ajuga, and other garbage that needs to be gone..might have to do this..also love your new flower bed..it looks beautiful..okay I need to take a nap .;)

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  3. Vicky,

    Mather Nature does have a wonderful artistic vision, now doesn't she?

    D

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  4. Gina,

    Hey there girlfriend, I did the lawn in sections...my back would have screamed loudly otherwise. It took me about a week to get it all de-thatched and reseeded. I love how the lawn turned out...before it was clover, violets and parslaine...just weeds. If you do what I did, cover your lawn at the latest in July and leave it covered for at least 6 weeks. Hope you had sweet dreams while napping.

    D

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  5. Hi Dee,
    The flowers are just gorgeous and your lawn turned out beautifully! My grandparents use to live on Grendan Ave off of Harford road in Baltimore and never had much luck with a beautiful yard. They just had some scraggley bushes out front. You can see you have put a lot of love and care in your lawn.

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  6. Dee, your yard looks fantastic! What a fabulous job, I can't believe your impatiens made it through your heat wave. Thanks for entering my giveaway and posting a link, I've got you down for 4 entries! Good luck and thanks for sharing the pictures of your beautiful yard. Deb

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  7. Jean,

    We had those same scraggly bushes too but I had my son Josh, take them out last June. I couldn't get the bushes I wanted to replace them with, then, so I waited til this year. The flower bed sort of took on a life of it's own...the hubby knew just what to say to get me to do the huge bed that we did.

    It took a lot of work to keep everything alive this summer..but gardening is such a passion for me. Anyway, thanks for the compliment on the yard.

    D

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  8. Deb,

    Thanks. Some days I didn't think that the impatiens would make it either...it was so darn hot out there and then to have no rain on top of it.

    Thank you for hosting an awesome giveaway and it is my pleasure to post on my sidebar. Wishing you much success with your new selling blog.

    D

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  9. Hi Dee,
    Your lawn and flowers look great. Congratulations on all your hard work.
    Dee, I just wanted to let you know that my old Burnt Woods Blog was hijacked and I had to rebuild. My new one is http://burntwoodsbears.blogspot.com
    It is a long nightmarish story so I won't go into it much other then to say if you get an email that say URGENT and that I am stranded in the UK, its not from me. ERrrr....
    I need for you to come to my new blog to resign up for my giveaway for MR. Thomas the bear and if you stop by my other new blog I have a give away there too.
    http://burntwoodsbears.blogspot.com
    http://myprimitivenest.blogspot.com
    I would appreciate it too if you would follow me as I am following you.
    If you want to hear about the nighmare you can email me.
    They hijacked my old email addy too.

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  10. Looks awesome Dee!! Fantastic work!

    Brenda
    (I'm being nice today..lol!)

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  11. Jan,

    I did see your last email to me. I've been swamped getting ready for my largest show of the year. I'll try to remember to email you on Monday to get everything sorted out. I have to get back to work tonight as we will be at the show for the next 2 days.

    D

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  12. B,

    Thanks! And yes, you are being nice today!LOL!

    D

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  13. Love your beautiful Impatients! They have always been a favorite flower of mine, and I love how full and colorful yours are. And that beautiful green grass... great!

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  14. What a lot of work that must have been!
    I agree though, it was well worth it. Everything is beautiful. I bet your neighbors are jealous.
    I could not find your email address, so I'm going to post here.
    We are swap partners in Ravenwood Whimzies Christmas ornie swap. I just wanted to let you know that I'm excited to make something for you. Now to decide on what to make. LOLIf you need a hint...I'm a snowman collector, But I love surprises too! This is going to be fun. Later!
    Judy

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  15. Trina,

    Impatiens are a favorite of mine too. They always put on a spectacular show.

    D

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  16. Judy,

    Thanks for the compliment. I enjoy working in the garden so much...it's so relaxing. I came home last night from a weekend show and walked by the roses...oh my, the air was so sweetly scented. Some of the echineceas that I do also have a smell...

    I need to get working on my ornie swap. I love handmade ornies. I have a bunch from doing swaps over the years. You've made it easy for me...snowmen.. love painting snowmen.

    I love anything handmade, but snowmen are a fav of mine too.

    D

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