The Backwall Beds

This was my main project from last spring. It was the first bed(s) I ever built totally from scratch, and it spans about 70 feet.

Here are some “before” pics when I had started on the left rock bed, had begun moving rocks in, and was laying out a plan of attack.



Here are the beds beginning to take shape.



Here is what it looks like now.
The end rock beds and the cedar mulch beds have many things that have yet to sprout. The plastic circles in the middle rock bed are placeholders pots for my large agaves when I bring them back outside.
Overview (from left to right):



















Random pictures of assorted and individual plants:

Your Welcome J.C. Just didn't want us to lose this in a very long thread.

Wow, things are really filling in fast.

Thanks! And yeah it is filling in fast.
I spent most of today planting more semps.

JC, your beds are looking quite good...I love the part of the beds that jut out a little out of line from the rest of bed. Adds a lot of interest! What a lot of work that must have been. Thanks for showing them to us!

Thanks Bev!

When I was designing the beds I tried to figure out a cool way to divide the bed areas (different soils, watering etc) and those jutting rock areas are what I came up with. Yeah, it was tons of work, but I'm pleased with how it came out. I can't wait to see it in a few years; to see how it's changed and grown.

Make sure you don't move, JC !! I finished a small bed in the Fall of last year and then moved out the following Spring. Found out that new owners plan to rip the bed out...

Sept 2013 (after laying out pavers but before mixing in the cactus soil, sand and rocks for drainage)


Oct 2014 (semps in the foreground)

Yes, sad... Bev, did you and Jim end up downsizing (garden space) when you moved? I want to see you get good and spoiled with all our nurseries here!

Wow, that's a cool bed! Sorry to hear that; it's too bad the new owners don't have good taste...

Yeah, I have no plans on (ever) moving. I remodeled nearly the entire interior of this house to how I want.

What a smart move JC...I know that luck has nothing to do with it...Hard work and great satisfying results come from an idea and the inclination to do...And boy, did you do!

pardalinum said: Bev, did you and Jim end up downsizing (garden space) when you moved? I want to see you get good and spoiled with all our nurseries here!

Connie, the patio at the previous home:


The upstairs deck (display area) and downstairs deck (working/planting area) at new condo which has no land for me to plant into:


It will be container gardening all the way, I think! And the trips to the nurseries will still be a Must Do! I've already hit Young's which is still at their old location and I hit Guentner's nursery on Commercial Ave in Salem so far. I'm still unpacking...

Thanks Bev. I can't tell what your deck railings are made of or if your condo has regulations against it, but I could see trough beds built onto the side of your top railings on both floors, and also step plantings up the pillars. Would add a ton more planting space, and give room for even more purchases.

JC, you can be my landscape architect while I check on the gardening regulations for the HOA here...

And honestly, you could do double trough beds on the inside and outside of the railings so the railing would only have to support the weight. It would balance the pressure, so the railing wouldn't want to bow outward... And you would have even MORE space.

You mean like saddlebags for the railings?

Yep, and they wouldn't necessarily even have to mar or damage the railing. If built deep enough (enough overhang or top to bottom depth on either side), their own weight would hold them in place.

JC your semps and beds and plants alll look so great! I'm traveling so it's taken me a while to check things out on ATP also congrats on your win
Bev looking great!

Thanks on both Greg!
Where are you traveling?

Family in MI Detroit area... It's been good seeing my people but I miss my plants like crazy! this is how I know I'm a plant fanatic

We miss you Greg. When will you be back home?
When is our June Washington gathering suppose to take place? I can't find the thread we were in when we discussed getting together at Julia's place.

Ah, very cool Greg.
Have fun and safe travels!