Rock Moving on Vole Hill

"I have no more than twenty acres of ground," he replied, "the whole of which I cultivate myself with the help of my children; and our labor keeps off from us the three great evils - boredom, vice, and want." ~Voltaire

So... yesterday I tore Vole Hill apart and reconstructed it. It's bigger, faster and stronger than before.

Okay, not really... but it does look pretty good. I really should have taken "before" pictures, so you could see the utter destruction of the garden, but I didn't.

I moved rocks. Lots and lots and lots of rocks.

I dug up all the plants that were left because everything had to move. Why? Because my DH asked if I'd make the garden round instead of oval (it's easier to mow around that way).

I scrounged in my other gardens for more plants (thankfully, there is seldom a plant shortage here -- I jokingly call it "M's Nursery" because I give away TONS of plants every year. The ones I have propagate like crazy).

Then... I decided what needed to go where based on height and when it blooms. I have my huge chrysanthemum bush in the back now, because it blooms last and everything else will be cut down by then. I circled the tree with my miniature iris, because it only blooms for about five minutes, but stay green all year. Columbine is in the back because it blooms early and the flowers get quite tall, but the foliage isn't very pretty. The liatris is near the back on the edges. It has healthy, spiky green foliage and pretty spectacular tall purple spikes when it blooms. Near the front are my shorter plants: gallardia, russian sage and dianthus. In the very front is some low growing ground cover: dragons-blood sedum. I'll sprinkle annuals through the garden each year for continuous color.

AND... I moved my bird feeders out back, because that is what most likely attracted the voles to the area.

For now, this is the end result:



Everything is pretty immature, so it will fill in. And the big dirt patches will eventually be grass. And the small rocks in the front will go away after a bit -- I was using them as a guide to remind me how far up I could plant.

All in all, I'm satisfied. I'll probably plant some crocus bulbs right up front for some early spring blooms, but otherwise stick a fork in it -- it's done.

What was DH doing while I was hauling rocks? He finally built us some front steps!!

From this:


To this:


And he built it extra wide so I can put out flower arrangements in the spring.

YAY~

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I was going to do the Monday Morning Meme, but there was this question about blogs you read and which were your faves, and I just couldn't narrow it down, and didn't want to leave anyone out and then didn't want to build the links to everyone... it was too much to take this early. So I didn't do it... BUT... this was one question, and I admit to being a bit stymied.

3. What book have you started with low expectations, and finished with tears in your eyes it was so good? Now please share with us a book that you think people MUST read. Why this book?

I don't start books I have low expectations of. Ever. Not as an adult, in any case. I was (of course) force fed the classics as a child and disliked them all -- Steinbeck in particular. Blech. I haven't even read "Pride & Prejudice", though I've seen the movie (as I have all the Austen films, except "Emma").

Why would anyone start a book they think they'll hate on purpose? Just curious.

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I'll post a contest for Kitchen Matches upcoming release tonight or tomorrow. I was just too tired yesterday to think straight.

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