Blank slate...

11 years ago

Oh man....it's been a long time since I was here...A long long time. It's been a tumultuous time; in the last 18 months I've lost no less than 5 critters, 6 people including my mother, sold the house in Los Angeles and moved to Oregon. ..mid Willamette valley to be precise...12.5 acres. I am in the process of renovating the barn so my horses can come home and my neighbor share farms 6 acres of my land for homegrown hay.

But. ..Best is the fact that thete is NO landscaping here whatsoever. Which means I have a glorious blank slate to play with. There are 4 separate areas in my yard (s)...front and back and side and way back. Lol. It is going to take some time to get it looking like I'm imagining...but it's luxurious to have all this open area to work with. Not even many trees to contend with. Meaning...sun all day long on 95% of the entire 12.5 acres.

First up...The 200 feet of fence lining my front yard. I am going to put New Dawn on the south corner where she will have a 45 ft tree to climb up in one direction and fencing to climb in the other. Then, climbing Eden all along to stretch (6 of them), with Goodwin Creek lavender, delphinium, larkspur, foxglove, and a ton of other perennials and annuals. I'm also putting in 6 Pope John Paul II by the walkway and directly behind the 5 distant drums. . .I have to create the walkway and patio, too...but this planning allows for the divine scent of POP and the very pretty visuals from both the house as well as the yard.

I am also planning to have a gateway under an arbor leading to the patio and front door...said arbor to hold climbing Blue Girl (if I can find her) and anchor plantings of Heart O ' Gold and Peace.

I am also going to put in on that long fence some DAs...either Golden Celebration or Graham Thomas or Crown Princess Margareta. I will also be planting a few fruit trees on the driveway. ..Two apples and two peach.

And there will be edibles interspersed through out...blueberries, sunflowers, and strawberries to start.

And that is just the front 230 X 75 front area...we're not even going to discuss building g the decks, catio, or gazebo. Lol.

I can't begin to say how much fun this will be...yes, a lot of work both IN and ON the soil, but the space and sun are both in great supply...and I'm only limited by imagination...I'm so excited.

And I live living here...it's my farmette, my paradise. I bought it for a song; it has been neglected but the bones are here...TLC and time...and it will be simply incredible.

Just thought I'd pop back in, renew acquaintances, get ideas and advice, and share my new journeys.

Best
Herding Cats

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Comments (5)

nanadollZ7 SWIdaho
11 years ago
Wow, Herding, it's great to have you back. You have come through a lot, and it sounds like you are happy in the place I would choose over all others, if I could have my "druthers", the Williamette Valley. You've got to be close to Heirloom Roses in Paul, Oregon--have you paid them a call yet? What happened to that darling sounding cottage in L.A. with all the roses you were acquiring?
If you have an arbor or small spot for another climber, consider the peachy pink climber, Colette. I really like this rose. And watch out for New Dawn, she might take down your fence.
I hope we hear from you again and of the progress you'll be making on your wonderful new garden in the midst of that beautiful valley. Diane
Michaela (Zone 5b - Iowa)
11 years ago
Wow, Herding! What a journey you have been through, both good and bad. Your new place sounds magical! I can't wait to see everything you do with it. So nice to have a blank canvas like that! Do you have photos of the layout and where you plan on putting all of your beautiful gardens?

And welcome back to GW! I am new so I don't believe I have had the pleasure of chatting with you before, I look forward to hearing more and following along on your new adventures!

Michaela
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toolbelt68
11 years ago
How about planting 3 Pink dogwood trees. one each at the 3 corners of a triangle, then install a swing at the center of the triangle. Dogwood trees only have leaves on the outer surface of their canopy. If you plan the size of the triangle such that the trees overlap you will end up with a hidden cozy areaÃ¢ÂÂ¦. Let the tree limbs grow all the way down to the ground. You could even encircle it with various roses of your choiceÃ¢ÂÂ¦ have fun
HerdingCats
Original Author
11 years ago
Toolbelt, what a neat idea. I may find a quiet corner somewhere and do just that. I do need to put in some trees for shade in the pastures...and this is not much more work at all to do. Hmmmm. Thanks!

Thegarden, thanks for the welcome back. It's been a while, and I'm glad to be here for sure. I just am so excited about what I can see for this place...indeed a bit of heaven. I absolutely have photos, and will be taking more as things progress.first priority is the shop conversion into a barn for my horses...indeed want them home ASAP. But that is about half done, and spring is looming...so I've been dreaming about getting the front yard done. And the veggie garden too.

Diane, it got pretty bad in Los Angeles for me. I acquired a dangerous stalker on top of everything else, and it was always the plan to come to Oregon eventually...and the housing market did very well by me...so here I am.

Btw...please forgive the occasional typo and strange wording...I'm on my phone and its both difficult to type on as well as autocorrect believes it knows the words I'm using. Sigh.

It's going to be my little bit of heaven...My nieces and nephew are nearby and its been just wonderful to be close to family and be part of their lives. Nephews basketball team just won their division championship and I was there. Oldest niece is taking riding lessons with my new trainer, and my littlest niece loves to come to the farm and go wandering...attended by the dogs. Brother, nephew and I are doing the renovations ourselves...and Sister in law loves the peace and quiet when I have her family here. Lol.

In re New Dawn, yes I'm aware she might take the fence down. She'll be in a place where that is acceptable if it happens...but I'm hoping I will be able to keep on top of it/her to prevent that. And that's the reason she's not at the corner of the house or garage or barn...lol.

Have a great day!

Best
Herding Cats
toolbelt68
11 years ago
Glad you liked the suggestion. One thing to keep in mind is; the dogwoods don't like things laying on top of their roots. Also very little can grow under them. So make sure you lay any patio stones/bricks, etc down around the swing before the trees get big.