Aurora's Blog

I have completely changed my garden plans this fall. Instead of creating 2 large shade beds along the addition side of the house, I am going to extend the azalea bed and creat a smaller bed on the Rockwood Rd. side of the house. Three reasons for this: 1.  My weeping maple needs a home, 2.  Far more visible than the side of the addition, and 3.  Makes it even easier to mow :) Just a reminder- I live on a corner lot. This way I will border the walk from the driveway to the door, much the same way as on the Beechwood Rd. side. Unless you actually walk to the side of the addition you can't see anything from anywhere in the yard or roads, so that can wait another year or so.

Now to figure out what exactly to plant in these new areas :) Obviously the maple will be a focal point. I plan on putting that between the walk and driveway- right in front of the porch. I am thinking of columbine, bleeding heart, penstemon, and maybe a rose bush for in that small bed as well. The other side of the walk I have no idea- other than some more columbing and bleeding heart (I have loads of seeds for these) I am thinking of planting creeping thyme right along the pavers of the walk, and perhaps a brugmansia on that side too. Maybe that's where I can put "Snowbank" as it will be shaded in the afternoon.... Perhaps another rose.... The planned extension will be large. I figure since I will be going through the hassel of screening out all the gravel for the small bed, I may as well extend the other one too- otherwise I may not feel like screening gravel again LOL!

Yesterday's orientations went very well. Both kids are very excited to start school next Tuesday :) Their teachers seem wonderful too. Megan has a different Kindergarten teacher than Logan did, although 2 neighbor's are in Logan's old class. I'm very happy that Meg won't have Geisinger too- having 3 kids from the same block in the same class doesn't seem like a good idea- but I really liked Mrs. Geisinger.  So Meg doesn't know anybody in her class, but that won't be a problem for her- she'll be friends with everyone within the first week :)

Poor Logan- only one kid from his K-class has the same teacher he does. Everyone else is split between the 5 1st grade teachers, including the 3 neighbor's who are in 1st grade too. Again, probably a good thing because this way he can make all new friends, although it will take him longer than Meg :)

I managed to get all the weeds from the maple bed removed, and the soil loosened up between the 2 orientations. Now to get all the gravel screened out and add compost! If the rain they have forecast doesn't come today I can hopefully get started on that after Meg's Dr.'s appointment. Or maybe I'll get started on the azalea bed extension...

So much to do, so little time LOL!

Until later, Have fun Gardening :)