view winning gardens this week-end

If you're looking for some inspiration or just enjoy walking through beautiful gardens, the winning gardens in the Calgary Horticultural Society's garden competition are on display this week-end.  Passports can be purchased here.

Considering this part of my front garden (closest to the sidewalk) was put in spring 2007, I think it's doing pretty well!  I am hoping to enter the competition myself in a few years. 

 The part closer to the house is older, gets more shade, and there are a few minor things I want to change.  However, I am not showing you the whole picture!! 

Aha.  The real truth.  It's only half done!  Here's the longterm plan:

fall 2008: start planting shrubs on the left-hand side of the front yard

spring 2008: finish planting shrubs and perennials close to sidewalk

2009 remove spruce to the immediate left of the front steps (too close to house)

2010: making seating area and plant shade garden where spruce used to be

2010 or 2011: enter garden competition

Yikes.  Things take a long time when you do it yourself, on a budget!  But that's part of the fun.  And why, you may ask, am I waiting so long before I take that *&^$^%& spruce tree down?  Because there are 2 more in the backyard I want to take down first!!  (And before anyone jumps on me for not being a tree lover, let me say that after these are removed, there will still be 4 large spruce trees in my front yard and 5 large ones in the back.  More spruce than anyone could ever want!!)