To Mound or Not to Mound
Our "builder" landscapes in and around Gladden Farms are pretty boring. Our yards are rock (ok...crushed stone) and a basic slope away from the house. Then the builders endeavored to put several small bushes in too confining of a space so that when they grew, the yard would be overcome. Top that with some kind of fast growing tree filled with thorns. Then, times that by 1000 or so and you have Gladden Farms, Marana, AZ.
Yes, that's "spec" desert landscaping.
We are luckier than many of our neighbors. We don't have the spreading, creeping, all-consuming ground cover that will even grow up walls and posts. And don't get me started on what that looks like when the irrigation system is faulty...
Anyway, for some time, I've been wanting to put my mark on our generic rock yard, in an inexpensive way of course. So, this week, I ordered more gravel to match the crushed stone we have. I asked them to bring some dirt along too, but I didn't ask for enough. It's cooled down to the high 80's and low 90's now so we are able to venture outside.
Well the dirt didn't beGIN to make a "mound" so I went off to Lowes Home Center with my daughter. We picked up 12 bags of the cheapest top soil and some crushed granite that looked like sand. After spreading that all out, I had a small rise going. So, later that evening I went BACK to Lowes Home Center with my husband and picked up another 12 mixed bags.
Well, my "statement" garden just didn't have the height nor the presence to make itself much seen, but I was done buying dirt by the bag. It bothers the farmer deep inside.
The next day I commenced to planting my cactus, arranging my stones, and covering it all with matching gravel. I think I can add another couple of inches of gravel, leaving a well around the cactus for catching rain water the 6 times of year we get rain.
I've learned a few things along the way.
1. It's more fun to plant flowers in dirt than cactus into rocks.
2. Raking rocks gives me blisters pretty fast.
3. TWO pairs of gloves are not enough to handle barrel cactus.
4. Neighbors are nosy - I've met several this week that I didn't know BEFORE (and I've lived here three years)
5. Even a small mound is better than no mound at all.
I do like gardening. It's just different in the SW. :)
Nice post...I can see that landscaping with interest might be a challenge in your terrain.
Cara, you poured a lot of love and sweat into the yard -- your photo looks quite attractive. You made me chuckle with your proclamation, "It's more fun to plant flowers in dirt than cactus into rocks."
Cara...your cactus look great. i am with you in the "fun" part, but I can guarantee that Sal would like the 'no lawn', 'no dirt' prospect. He is the official weed puller around here [MI].
We are hoping to have a move to FL when this Home sells, I wonder if he will want grass there?
Fun post.
Have a great rest of this week.
Barb & Sal
Cara - That is so different that what I am used to. It varys area to area and State to State.
Cara. I wish I could share some of our rain with you. We had 20 inches last week in 24 hours. We still have several streets closed due to flooding. Your terrain is like a different world to me but pretty in a different way. I enjoyed this blog even though it was almost like reading about life on another planet.
Nice to meet you Barb (& Sal) That's quite a move from Michigan to Florida! I was only to Disneyworld once, and it was during summer, so I'm a bit afraid of the humidity!
Ken - I used to laugh out loud when I first moved here - watching folks rake their rocks. I can't say I miss the sound of my neighbors mowing their lawns at 7 a.m. on weekends...
Marian - that sounds awful. Flooding is so devastating. First hurricanes, now flooding....life on the beach would be like life on another planet to me too!
Aren't you glad you didn't have to dig caliche? I'm thinking that only Arizona can we be proud of 20 tons of granite, LOL.
True, Juli - TRUE! I had to dig down in one spot, and I had to soak it over an hour to penetrate about 2 inches... No small wonder there are few basements in Tucson homes!
Cara
wow I can't imagine all I know is grass, mulch and flowers in the South lol. This is a great localism post and way to show buyers moving to your region a little of what to expect with landscape!
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