Thank god for the rain and motivated individuals

Well, here we (finally) go...a garden to be reckoned with. I'm more making this a posting site for the 4 females inhabiting a rockin little creative collective we're beginnin but if anyone else drops by, please share advice, stories and encouragement for our little garden, it will absorb all it can get (i will translate digital data into loving dirt attention)! To all, enjoy watchin the progress literally grow.

Hamilton Way Gardens:

It all started nearly a year ago when i first moved into this place and took immediate note of the extremely spacious, but sadly neglected backyard. Ok, actually it only "started".  The big, overgrown yard, supposedly my new found motivation for finally learning to garden, remained as such. A haunting idea and motivation of guilt every time I looked out and hoped someday I'd get around to it. Well, thanks to new housemates and a bubbling desire to make it flourish, gardening has finally progressed past one wilting basil plant and scattered succulents. So now that we've begun, let's track it and see what we've gotten up to so far:

8 months ago: I take a bushman hat, gloves, giant clippers and a determined eye to the overgrowth of the backyard; new trees emerge, vines are tamed and dusty dirt swirls...I'm actually going to try and plant in this desert?

6 months ago: Backyard repossessed by angry vines, weeds, and scattered dirt clods.

4 months ago: Hmm...I should really start planting

2 months ago: Hmmm...i should really start planting. Instead, pretend compost set up with a bucket and cement block. I feel mildly accomplished.

1 month ago: ...ohh dear.

1 week(ish) ago: Bit o' rain: drizzle, sprinkle, splash, downpour, deluge!  (House stays on hill...good sign)

Yesterday, Sunday January 24th: Gardening commences!

With the ground plentifully watered by the Earth, this proved prime time to move some dirt around. Dirt! Not just the dust of backyard's past. Like the true non-gardeners that we are, motivation to actually work on the garden struck around mid-afternoon. But after a trip to Home Depot, suggestions from any and all willing to share advice, and a swift swipe of thee credit card, things were bound to get digging.  And dig we did. Miki, Carrie, myself and surprise guest, Steve took to the grounds like, well, a group of people anxious to enjoy some outdoors space with flowery charm before the sun set in 1 hour.

What we bought:
     -2 potted Jasmine plants to hopefully stretch out, drape over and cover our chopped cement wall

     -1 Sheet of an iceplant with cute purple flowers

     -3 Lavender plants for more good smells

     -1 Rosemary plant to start our herb garden...so...for eating basically.

     -2 packets of California Poppy (Missions Bells and Orange variety) seeds to be spread around  where we feel needs some color

     -1 packet of  Nasturtiam seeds for more cement wall coverage, nice aromas, and apparently eating as well. (plants can do so much!)

We spent just over $60 and already the backyard looks more inviting. A few bits of color, wafting fragrances, some organization and the potential to grow! We all agreed that just having started the project feels like a great leap and accomplishment. Miki and I enjoyed our Yogi tea while brainstorming what will come next. For now, water and attention will feed the grounds and the beginning of our living, growing community space.

Stay tuned for next Sunday's update.

Go get green and dirty!