A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Banter Hall Gardener's Chat I almost have a garden of my own

I'm working on buying a property with 1.4 acres of land. About half of it is forested the rest is plain old dirt. Very red dirt but dirt none the same. the property is on a very steep slope but I am not deterred.

So far working from the top of the lot on street side which faces south west I've pretty much settled on 2 golden chain trees one rhoddy and behind the rhoddy a line of boxwoods on one side of the driveway. The other side of the driveway is all wooded. On that side of the property I plan on clearing the parting paraphanalia out. Then making sure I have at least one hardwood tree every ten feet or so. And then planting a shade garden underneath the trees.

I don't really have any idea yet what I will plant underneath the trees other than my columbine, lillies of the valley if any survived, hosta and peacock orchids.

My bulbs are going to go right next to the front of the house. There are already 2 dark red azeala bushes in that bed so that addition of crosuses, daffodils, tulips and peonies will help bring spring color there to begin with. I'll add iris and miniture glads as I get time and money.

Well I'll tell you more of my plans later.

that's great. Hope it works out for you.

Yay, great news Tammy. Don't forget to take some pics for us.

Great news Tammy!

Wonderful TK! I hope you get this piece of property I just know you'll have it beautiful in no time at all!!

sounds like it might come together for you tammy i'm praying it does.

OH tammy---i am so very happy for you !!! it all sounds great
keep us posted.

Thankyou all. I have a signed contract. Now it all hinges on the county inspection and pest inspection. Once those are done and passed I'll me A-ok to go.

I've already decided to try for a series of retaining walls placed on alternating sides diagonal to the boarders of the property and the drive way to deal with the slope in front. About 24 to 30 inches high. Has anyone used those interlocking blocks to terrace their garden? I'm wondering how hard they are to put in place and how expensive.

my daughter & SIL just used them---I just watched--but I don't think it looked too hard---about the price---as with anything else, i would look around, as prices usually vary---in a few places, I saw them cheaper than what they paid for them, but the place they bought them from delivered them right to the work site--& that is always something to consider, esp with the price of gas.

I've used them at my old bosses place. They are easy to work with, we also used steel rods and a special holding cement to make it permanant so they wouldn't shift~we get heavy frost heaving here. I remember them being quite expensive...but that's Canada for ya.

Thanks for the information. Your right having them delivered is much much easier. I've been reading up on it and how to rent a tapper and use grid wire to help keep the slope from sliding. It looks like quite a job. I'm glad to hear it isn't as bad as I was thinking it might be.

I have a very long front yard so there is a bunch of terracing to do.