Lost Valley Gardens

Easter Surprise

By Carol ⋅ April 13, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments

We didn’t have eggs or bunnies here for Easter, but this Indigo Bunting that we spotted in the back yard early Easter morning was a wonderful Easter surprise. We often see Painted Buntings here in the spring and summer, but I have never seen an Indigo Bunting. They are the most incredible shade of blue.

Native Texas Passiflora Tenuiloba

By Carol ⋅ April 10, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments

As I was pruning the native plants that surround our deck; agarita, evergreen sumac, Texas persimmon, grape vine, Mexican silk tassel, and escarpment cherry, I glimpsed a small flower out of the corner of my eye.

Early Blooms in the Courtyard

By Carol ⋅ March 30, 2009 ⋅ 4 comments

We planted the first plants in the courtyard raised beds late last winter, so this is the first real spring for them. I am watching with great interest to see when each plant begins to bloom as I have tried to group plants according to sun requirements, complimentary color and form characteristics, water needs, and I also want continuous blooming from early spring to late fall. So far I am happy with how the courtyard gardens are progressing. The most prolific bloomer in the courtyard at the moment is the pink Laura Bush petunia, which has been blooming since late February, and is starting to choke out the Texas Sotol cactus. I’m going to have to cut it back soon so as not to lose the cactus.

New Yellow Knock Out Rose – The Sunny

By Carol ⋅ March 29, 2009 ⋅ 6 comments

Ron went to Whole Foods early this morning to pick up fresh fruits and veggies for us, and he returned with two nice looking yellow Knock Out roses. This rose, The Sunny (Rosa Radsunny) has been on my wish list ever since I saw an advertisement for it in Fine Gardening magazine last winter. I […]

Trellis Bed Tree and Vine Planting Completed

By Carol ⋅ March 27, 2009 ⋅ 16 comments

We finished installing the trees and vines in the beds at the base of the new trellis yesterday, and now I am praying that we don’t have a hard freeze tonight or tomorrow night. That would be unfortunate. We don’t usually get hard freezes here after March 15, so it would be kind of unusual, but the weather has become reliably unpredictable the past few years. I’m thinking about wrapping the vines and small trees in row cover just in case.

First Trellis Plants Purchased

By Carol ⋅ March 23, 2009 ⋅ 4 comments

I sent Ron to the Natural Gardener and Barton Springs Nursery today to search for the trees and vines that I selected to plant in the upper trellis beds. Much to my delight, he was able to find everything I wanted. We didn’t have time to plant them this evening, but we placed them in […]

The Colors of Spring

By Carol ⋅ March 19, 2009 ⋅ 4 comments

Aside from having to deal with allergies, spring is a wonderful time of year. The garden is really coming to life now, and every day brings new blooms, birds, and insects. I find it is easy to get so busy with gardening ‘chores’ that I miss the changes taking place all around me. But today, the activity was so intense, and the colors so bright that I had to stop and take some pictures.

Trellis Project is Complete

By Carol ⋅ March 10, 2009 ⋅ 6 comments

Trellis construction is now complete and it looks really good. We found some copper covered post caps which tie in with the copper roofs of the bird houses that are mounted on the taller posts on either side of the stairs that lead to the lower garden. In keeping with the copper accents, I found some string lights with copper shades which I may purchase to string under the trellis, but I haven’t made up my mind on that purchase yet.

Trellis Header Up and Rafters In Progress

By Carol ⋅ March 2, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Trellis construction has been slow, but steady. With every additional element the structure looks better and better. The header boards are completed and the posts have been cut to length, and the structure balances well with the size and scale of the retaining wall below.

Construction of the Retaining Wall Trellis Begins

By Carol ⋅ February 23, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Ron has over half of the trellis posts constructed and the effect of the structure on the overall courtyard design is starting to emerge. The posts will ultimately be shortened by a couple of feet so they are a bit tall right now, but I like the thickness (5″ X 5″) we chose. I think the scale and balance of the structure to the courtyard area and the retaining wall are definitely going to work. Ron says he feels like he is building the Parthenon. Ha.

Greens in the Greenhouse

By Carol ⋅ February 21, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

The produce and herbs in the greenhouse are doing pretty well. It is such a pleasure to cut fresh lettuce, chard, spinach, and herbs in the middle of winter. The surprising thing is how little space it takes to grow enough to eat for several months.

Retaining Wall and Grotto Area

By Carol ⋅ February 9, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments

We spent all weekend working on the retaining wall and the grotto area in the southwest corner of the courtyard. Progress was good despite 20-30 mph winds both days (I hate wind). At this point you can really see how the newly created areas lay out and create the transition from the courtyard area to the raised be gardens below.

Retaining Wall Project Continues

By Carol ⋅ January 3, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments

I hope your holidays have been as restful and pleasant as ours have been. To be honest, I am not exactly looking forward to returning to work next week, but the weather is predicted to become cold and rainy on Monday and Tuesday so perhaps it won’t be as difficult a transition as it might be. Today it is lovely here. Not too windy, and quite warm.

Courtyard Project – Phase Two: Retaining Wall

By Carol ⋅ December 22, 2008 ⋅ Post a comment

We have been pondering and planning the materials and design for the south side of the courtyard for a year now. I can’t tell you how many different ideas we have tested out for the treatment of this space. It is the transition between the courtyard and the lower vegetable garden area. There is about a four foot drop in the elevation between the two areas, and it occurs at the south end of the courtyard area.

Greenhouse Produce Growing

By Carol ⋅ December 12, 2008 ⋅ 4 comments

We have a nice winter vegetable crop started in the greenhouse this year. We have half a dozen cucumbers, over twenty tomatoes, raspberries, lettuce, and some peppers. All of the plants are hooked up to a drip irrigation system. We are using liquid organic fertilizer applied in-line through the irrigation system which seems to be working really well. The plants are all very healthy and vigorous, with thick stalks and broad leaves. I will be planting spinach, chard, more lettuce, and some herbs over the holidays, which I can move out to the gardens later if we want to.

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Carol