Looking good Don I Agee with Ken , too much grass!

you might want to come out into that grass ... and plant a tree for the future... just in case those pines fail ...

there is no instant gratification with trees/shade ...... you have to plan ahead ... way ahead ...

if i really need to say it ...NOT A MAPLE ....lol

ken

ps: probably a pretty crumby bocci court anyway ... lol ...

Your back yard has the feeling of a mountain home. The pine trees and shade make it seem more like a forest than a yard. It's very nice back there. The hostas are inviting more friends to the forest.

I am trying to "plan ahead" with a tree myself. My peach tree, which provides the only shade in my backyard is failing. I love the shape of my peach tree, but I don't want another. This year I planted a multi-trunk redbud nearby. I'm not overly confident that it will succeed but I really like them so I gave it a shot. If it doesn't make it through the winter, I will replace with a different tree.

it looks very nice..you do have space for more hostas!..your lush grass amazes me..I have almost no grass so when I see nice grass I can't help but admire it..

Don, things are looking good there, but grass or no grass, looks like you have space in that backyard bed. As far as grass goes, I really don’t have any......it may look like I do, but really it’s clover (which the bees love, but watch out where you step), creeping Charlie, dandelions and miscellaneous other weeds. I refuse to put any effort into trying to keep a lawn. Won’t use chemicals, won’t waste water——that’s for the hostas. I know ken will say get rid of the grass, but at my house it’s just weeds.....lol

Looking good Don. Looks like you have some room in the back to hold you for a while.

- Jon

Looks like a pretty steep slope away from your house. Have you terraced any of the garden that’s near the fence? I love those pines! Also looks like you won the bush removal discussion with your wife! What’s that big one that’s in flower?

Thanks, all. Some room in the back of the bed, but between the bed and fence is a tall retaining wall. Every hosta I've planted very close to the back end of the bed just dries out and dies over the winter. Leaned that lesson several years ago. Kathy, that's Regal Splendor. Replaced that stupid bush 3 seasons ago. : )

I see the wall now...... so the only place to plant “new” is to expand that bed forward.......... that’s what I’m doing, just by 4 feet....... could get some nice new ones next spring that you have been dreaming about.....ok maybe not dreaming, but thinking of. Now we have all planted a seed for you in your back yard....... :-)