Only a little behind

This weekend, I finally brought my borrowed rake outside and tackled the wall-to-wall carpet of leaves that made up our backyard. We just never got to it in the fall. Something about a baby?

We counted 12 bags at the curb this morning, plus one can full of stray branches. There are many more branches, and a few more stray leaves. I'm embarrassed to admit (and at the same time, pleased with the results) that in some places in the yard, the bottom layer of leaves composted into rich soil over the winter. It should provide some good nutrients for my plants!

I rewarded myself for the efforts with a trip to Lowe's. I've planted 3 hydrangeas, 3 small variegated shrubs, 2 rose bushes, a juniper bush, an arborvitae, a holly bush, and a rhododendron in the bed in front of our house. When we have a nice day, I'll take and post a picture. The hydrangeas can barely be seen from the street right now, but I hope that they grow quickly.

Next, I'd like to do some planting in the back yard. I'm planning to transplant some of hostas that the previous owner mistakenly put in our front yard to the shady back. A few "bleeding hearts" plants would be nice, too.

Our house

Some people have asked to see a picture of the front of our house. Here it is, courtesy of my Dad. No that's not our minivan, it's his. Our little Ford is hiding behind it.

Next spring, I hope to do a little landscaping. I'm thinking a few hydrangeas and other bushes under the front windows, and a weeping Japanese maple or crepe myrtle in the center of the front yard, with a raised mulch bed bordered by flagstone. Anything to cut down on the amount of grass to mow! I'd also like to put a small pond to the right of the path. It will have to be less than 24" deep as per community regulations. Any deeper requires a 6-foot fence. And fences aren't allowed in the front yard. So it will be shallow if it makes it into the plan at all.

Or if you have a better landscaping idea, please leave it in the comments.