I can’t say it’s been a very restful vacation. Right from the start it’s been pretty much go go go.

One of the first things I did was tackle the last corner of the yard. It was a low spot, and the plan was to take the soil we removed from behind the shed to fill it. But there was a bunch of junk, including a long run of chicken wire that was half buried in the dirt. That had to be removed before anything was filled. But then of course, life gets in the way, and the next thing you know… that corner was looking like this.

Happily, it didn’t take very long to get it looking like this.

Hopefully, this fall, that fence will be moved to the other side of the maple tree, bringing the side yard into the backyard, but for now, at least, the area is tidy. I put some grass seed down where I filled in the low spot. And then I put some of the new plants I had bought (in July) down the side.

I think it will look quite nice once the grass fills in. Here’s a closer look some of the flowers there.

Green Twister Coneflower, Mellow Yellow Coneflower, Globe Thistle, and Mexican Hat. The latter is a native plant too. I had it at the townhouse years ago, but I decided to move it and it didn’t like that. I’m happy to have it again, as it’s very unique.

With that done, it was time to tackle another part of the yard. It’s a part I’d already started on, but hadn’t been able to finish, and was looking a little shabby.

This is the area I’ve been referring to as Willow Grove. My idea is to build the yard into several garden “rooms” – each unique little garden spaces. Because this one has my three pussywillow bushes along the shed, I named it Willow Grove. It’s no where near “complete”, but after cleaning out the weeds and putting down some mulch, it’s looking a lot more like the idea I had in my mind.

There’s a lilac bush on either end of the bench and once they grow they will create a more enclosed feeling. But even now, it’s a nice little spot to stop and rest and watch the birds… or the squirrels.

Some more of the flowers I got from the nursery went in this corner as as well.

A “green-eyed” Susan, some yellow Yarrow, and some pinkish Chrysanthemum.

And last.. while this is a small thing, it’s one that will make my life a little easier

I tidied up my potting bench and moved it below the clothesline. Here it can do double duty and give me a spot to set my basket as I hang out laundry. It’s in need of a coat of paint, so when we get some cooler weather, I’ll paint it our signature dark green and it will fit right in with the rest of the yard.