There is a thief in the neighborhood!

Finally, after three + months in our new home, I was able to get out and do some yard work. Landscaping in winter is difficult at best. In our yard, when it has rained, walking is hazardous...it makes you taller. What I mean to say is that the clay soil tends to collect on the bottom of your shoes, and after a time, you actually can accumulate enough that your shoes no longer touch the ground.

Today, the ground was comparatively dry. So, of course, the first thing I did was get out the hose and attach a sprayer. I sprayed the new shoots of poison oak that are coming up all over the back yard. I hope that, by starting now, I can pretty much eradicate this noxious weed before summer is over.

Next, I put on my burglar's mask and dark glasses and went across the street to steal some plants! Well, that is not 100% true...well, actually the only truth in that statement is that I went across the street. I didn't have to disguise myself, and I didn't have to steal plants. Our contractor has graciously told us that we may take any plant materials that are on any of the lots in the development on which no one has built a house.

I found the mother lode of ferns. So, I dug up five nice big ferns and planted them strategically under the oak trees in the back yard.

Jill got a picture of my good side, while
I was digging holes to plant the ferns.

Then I turned around, and she got my bad side.

Pogo came out to help, too.
She is the official family sniffer

I call this the "dance of the fern planter."
Just tamping down the soil.

In all, I made three trips to Duane's dig-'em-yourself nursery. In addition to the ferns, I found three lovely Oregon grape plants. Here's the final result:

The little plant on the left is one of the Oregon grapes.

Isn't this a lovely fern? There are dozens like this still available.

I added another fern behind the tree, so Jill took another photo.

This photo doesn't do justice to the bed I filled
within a semi-circle of trees. There are three
ferns and two Oregon grapes. I can't wait to get
some bark dust to scatter around them.

It will be a while yet before we can put in lawn, because I need to have someone come and dig trenches so I can put in the sprinkler system first. I also plan to make a waterfall and a dry creek bed in the back yard.

I have made some composite photos of the overall plan for the front yard, as well. My hope is that, when we finish, it will look something like this:

Front composite photo.

Side yard composite photo.