Instead of digging up all the grass=especially since u said u had to add more topsoil-have u considered doing a lasagna garden(laying down newspaper or cardboard on top of grass & weeds & adding compost, etc) Look up lasagna gardening-it sounds like that would be a lot easier.

Wow, Bright, lot of work. Its going to be wonderful when you are done tho. That huge St Francis is really neat.
I like the plans you have for this area.

hugs, Karen

Oh,cute! It won't take any time at all for it to fill in. I have a St. Francis,too, I hounded my husband til I got one:) Glad to see your flowers are blooming,too:)

My dad lives at a Senior apt called St Francis Manor so your post interested me. They have a small pond with St F and critter statues that I offered to naturalize a bit. I think with all the critters it needs to be more natural(woodsy) and less circular.I think some soft foliage,ferns small tropical plants(we ARE in Florida) will look nicer and definititely more rocks( NOT THE White ones though)! You are off to a great start keep going and google St Francis gardens maybe you will get some more ideas.
{{gwi:139806}}

Ohhh Gardenpond I love that... The color of the statue is beautiful. Thanks everyone for you encouragement. I am excited now that I decided that's what I want to do. I still have some daylillies to plant and gobs of seeds I can put in. I will keep the pictures comming.