Moving Along (Part 2)

This all started when negotiating the rental of the loft apartment. "If you let me have a corner of the property to put my 'stuff', let me plant my plants, I will take care of the grounds."

"My flamingos stay," his first response.

"Of course, we love yard art." (Win!)

I think my new landlord (Eddie) tuned me out when I said my last job involved roses. I told him I also did the company's internet marketing including a blog. "I could do a blog about the transformation around here." His ears perked up. "Fort Worth Dirt," he says. So, it began.


Took lots of "before" photos in January 2011 as we moved in. Developed a plan in my mind.

Nothing much happened until March 13th. A load of soil for the fire ring turned herb garden and the first load of cedar mulch was spread. Roses were transplanted (back of the bed) and herbs and onions planted. Even scored a plant hanger from the dumpster.

March 24th. A cedar pile waiting for the East side...

This pathway leads to the back door.
Stay on the pavers as this "soil" is nasty, sticky clay fill.

Poor drainage - someday a dry creek?

Then, a truck load of top soil.

A little order comes to the East side.

A berm to control the rainwater wash.

April 4th. Repair the break in my berm from a downpour.

April 6th. Two loads of crushed granite for mulch. Palm tree in place.

April 17th. Eddie has planted oregano and lavender around the edges,

and on April 17th - the roses were blooming!

June 20th. The berm is still holding. 100+ heat begins.

July 20th. Getting ready for vacation. Everybody in the shade.

July 30th. Staging area is getting bigger.

Much of the planting and placing fixtures has come to a dead stop due to the heat. The "berry boat" will definitely have to wait until a shade structure can be built. All the other plant purchases are sweating it out under the umbrellas.

Moving Along

Took this photo this morning while watering. This bit of the loft garden seems to have revived from the cooler (only 90+ degree) temps. A bit of a cool front came through last night so maybe only high 80's for awhile now but no rain in sight.

I got into a bit of trouble with my landlord this summer. I sent an email to my neighbors scolding them for not taking their dogs out a little further than the door to do their "chores" as my sweetie calls it. I told them the heat was making the areas by the doorways quite fragrant and I was trying to counteract the scent by drenching the area with watered down orange oil. In return I received a scathing email stating they were appalled to receive my email (this from the worst of the offenders) and they always took their dog away from the building, and on and on. So my landlord says no more emails from me - let him know, he will handle the battles. Sheesh.

Which brings my story now to Fall Arts Goggle to be held October 8th. Earlier this year I talked my landlord (Eddie) into making the loft garden one of the venues in this small festival in the Near Southside of Fort Worth. Back in the fall of 2009 the building was opened to the Fall Arts Goggle and artists displayed inside the available apartments. The landscape outside was still post-renovation debris-ish. Fast-forward to today and the Arts Goggle will give folks a chance to see how far our little building has come.

January 2010

Today - September 26, 2011

A stage for bands will be set up on the building's dock (which is one apartment's "front porch") and artists booth spaces all around the parking lot. Probably will be a couple thousand in and out... Only this (South) side of the building will be open for the public. The East and North will be fenced off and the street is on the West side.

We even have a mural (in progress) in our stairwell. (Do you suppose the blue hair is me? My hair is still 98% brown... hmmm). The artist will be finished and showing it off during the festival.

So my landlord sits me down and says, "You know we expect thousands of people here."

"Yes, I know."

"They will be walking all over the plants. There will be trash everywhere."

"Yes, I know. Oh, I better secure the palm tree so it does not tip over in case some one leans on it."

"I don't want to hear you complain that the beds are torn up."

"Yes, Eddie, I know. This was my idea." I go on to explain. "You know I used to work at a nursery with beautiful gardens. The public would come by the hundreds and unfortunately trash the place from time to time. You see, the trash picks up and the plants can be replaced. My disappointment is from my neighbors. I expect the random public to not take care of a place they visit. I did expect more from my neighbors."

I am getting ready for thousands and wishing I could be adding more to the gardens as the temperatures are falling. The next few days will be spent in sprucing and weeding. Securing the palm tree, hoping the flamingos make it through. Not to worry, Eddie is rounding up volunteers to help with the carnage cleanup. It will be great.

See my tour of Fall Arts Goggle 2010.