Gardening on a Hill

There are so many things you can incorporate into your landscaping. It doesn't have to be expensive. Just stay true to your own likes and taste. So many people ask others for advice. If you ask 20 people, you are going to get 20 opinions. If it looks good to you, do it. Don't ever be afraid to push the envelope. Be yourself. Let your taste and creative side show. You will be the one looking at it day after day. If you put in a plant that doesn't look good in that location (I've done this lots of times), then move it. If you find you don't like it, share it with someone else. If you are on a budget and can't afford edging, use large rocks. There are people who would love to have someone pick rocks out of their fields. Driftwood from a local lake or river can also be interesting. Take a bag of Quick-Crete and make personalized stepping stones. I have stones that we let our grandkids make and personalize. My husband and I made one with our foot impressions. The possibilities are endless.

Whatever you create in your garden, don't forget to take the time to enjoy it. When I started landscaping this area, it contained weeds up to your chin. We dug up over 500 thistles, lots of briars, poison ivy, and too many weeds to mention. My husband and I didn't have the money to bring someone in with a backhoe to dig the koi pond at the bottom of hill, so in July 2009 we went out with shovels and picks. We had planned to dig a 200-300 gallon pond. When we completed it in August, got the liner put in, and filled it with water, it was 2,300 gallons. As you can see, I'm not good at planning. I figured I would stop digging when it was what I wanted, but I don't think I would have been happy with anything less. Everything is not done. It's a work in progress. For now I'll lie back in the hammock and enjoy it, until I see something else I want to add.