New bed in front--no maintenance gardening

There is a long flower bed that runs along the front walkway to our home.

It has full sun in the middle of the bed and shade on each end.  I decided to get the middle planted with sun loving perennials.  Here at Silverhill Ranch, we believe in no maintenance  garden beds.  I spend NO time pulling weeds and very little time watering.  Doing a little extra work when you are putting in your garden beds saves you lots of time and money in the long run.

Weed control fabric and pins, drip system

Drip system put on top of soil first

Buy a good, thick weed control fabric.  This came from Sam's Club and is very thick but water and fertilizer can still get through.  Thick layers of newspapers work well, too and also cardboard boxes cut to lie flat.  You can put it on top of the soil or if your bed is empty and you are going to have to add soil the fabric can go under the soil.  This bed already had soil so I put it on top.

Fabric and drip system held down with fabric pins from Lowe's

The irrigation system we use, we order on line from Berry Hill.  It is not expense and has never failed us.  We buy timers from Lowe's and have everything set to turn on automatically.  If we want to pick up and go out of town-no problem.

The plants I bought to go in were reduced at a local Houston garden center.  (yay)  Yellow,  Dallas red, silver and purple lantanas, Purple and white Mexican Heathers.  There are all sun lovers and will hopefully fill in this bed with time.

Elton helped me decide on placement of the plants

Just cut a hole big enough to dig a hole and pop the plant in-be sure to not cut the drip system.  It can be felt through the fabric.

After planting, I like to add a thick layer of Cypress mulch.  The ends of the drip system will be hooked into the rest of the system, probably after I get this whole bed planted.

I see someone got out of line.  Will have to fix her in the morning.
So there you have it.  No maintenance flower beds!  Makes gardening a pleasure!

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