My Patch Of Dirt

We moved out of Arizona three years ago. We are in Texas now. We have a new house and another blank state waiting to be converted into a garden. Unlike Arizona, this house is in a big city suburb with a much smaller garden.

The fun starts in Spring. Until then I will record the current state and the plan for each area.

We have decorative rock around the pool area now. The pool itself is refinished. We chose a pebble touch finish. I created a new patio just enough for 2 chairs at the far end of the garden. Blossom likes it more than anyone else.

There is a pile of decorative rock in the front yard. I made another little brick 'patio' for the garbage can.



A lot of work left but the end is in sight.

In the backyard we have irrigation, and decorative rock. We have a few plants in the backyard along with a lime tree. We have some patio furniture to enjoy the backyard. The Atrium is ready with decorative rock. The pots in the atrium are filled with soil and waiting for plants.



In the circular driveway, we have two gravel pathways to break up the area.

The landscapers will be at the house Wednesday to remove a layer of sod and to level the backyard. I am so happy I can concentrate on all the fun stuff now.

Last year I got the exterior walls painted along with the interior of the house. I also got new rain gutters installed. I called in a tree remover and had a row of 12 oleanders removed from the back yard. We killed the grass because there is no room for grass in a desert back yard. As a result, other than a palm tree there are no plants in the back yard.

The front yard was landscaped well by a previous owner. It has several really big saguaros, mesquites and Palo Verdes among other trees and plants. It could use some TLC and some sprucing up.



Last month we bought some basic patio furniture. That is when the motivation to get the garden in shape finally kicked in. I have called a landscape company I have used before to clean out the old sod and level the yard. He will give me an estimate tomorrow. Once that is done I will be ready to put in the pathways.

Four years ago we moved into this beautiful old house. I fell in love with it as we turned in the driveway and walked up the steps. For the last four years I have spent all my energy updating the interior. It is now time to landscape the front and back yard. This blog will tell the story, from a blank canvas to what I hope will be a dream garden.