The Fall Project Is Complete, And It's Not Even Spring Yet!

The "before" shot:
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 I hereby declare the Fall Project completed!
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The last few bits took forever.  The whole project took far too long.  Now finally the blueberries are out of pots and into the ground:
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The veggie beds are filled with soil and amendment.  The soil and amendment will have a couple or three months to mellow before I put in this summer's tomatoes and peppers.  One more raised bed, intended for succulents and succulent propagation, is in place next to the new 'Cara Cara' orange tree:
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Finally the long-desired focal point tuteur is in place, now staked with metal rods so it won't fall over during one of our wind events.  I planted two Clematis for the tuteur to support.  May they grow swiftly and thrive and pull my eyes away from the neighbor's roof.  Darn, this photo reminds me I have to get rid of that poor, sad lawn, too...
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It all took a ridiculously long time.  I was watching how fast the fake-lawn guys worked the other day.  They had three root systems from old shrubs, six Nandinas, three boxwood, and 100 square feet of muddy lawn out of the ground in the time it would take me to remove one small Nandina.  Yes, I'm a slow worker, but considerable thought and indecision ate up the time as well.  Also some plumbing repair, flooring installation, the holidays, and two puppies.  So, it wasn't all laziness--there was procrastination mixed in there, too.  Now, its complete for this year, and before winter is officially over.  

What winter looks like here when it is almost over:


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Feeling rather euphoric about how the Fall Project turned out, I decided I have time for a Winter project that might even be completed before winter is over.  This winter.  I had to start this new project in order to finish the Fall Project, so I've already made some progress.  
The Winter Project is to clean up and rehab this space:
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Oh dear, a big pile of rocks to get rid of somehow!
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It includes cleaning up and replanting this slope:
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I had a huge pile of soil in that area from the 2010 koi pond redig,  all of it shaded by a big Brugmansia.  I used most of the soil in the Fall Project's raised beds, and cut down the Brugmansia.  I've still got to do something with all the rocks I screened out of the soil.  (I'll be like Katie Scarlett O'Hara and Think About That Tomorrow.)  The variegated Dianella will toast in full sun (the way I water it, which is not much), so they are coming out.  I'm so over Dianella.  Hey, it happens.

The Hymnocallis between them will go into a spot by the lime tree.  The tall Boxwoods were in the area that became plastic grass for the puppies.  I do not expect the Boxwoods to survive.  They do not transplant easily.  Still, it cost nothing to try, so we will try.  This area was my compost area for several years, until I needed a spot to cache a big pile of spare dirt, and the plan is for it to be the compost area again.  So, can I get it all done before Spring? 
Oh, probably not.  Spring is at hand.
Rosa 'Prospero':  
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The puppies are fine, bigger and cuter than ever.  Cuddles is enjoying them, though not quite as much as we are.  They ambush her when she's trying to pee.  At least we humans can shut the bathroom door.  
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Comments

  1. Looks like you need to invest in a wheelbarrow.

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  2. I do have a garden cart that I use for various things, but this area is down a flight of stairs, so the cart is not of much use. :( Good thing I need the exercise!

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  3. You've really got some slopes to deal with! The new area looks fantastic!

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  4. Your winter project looks a bit daunting, planting a slope is always difficult. Good luck with it. Maybe the puppies could help with the digging, but then again, maybe not.

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  5. @Alan, thanks! I used to hate slopes, now I love them. You can see everything on a slope in one glance, and the drainage is always perfect...

    @Crystal, the puppies won't help with digging, if I can help it! :)

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