Thanks guys. You all inspired me to not only plant the astible I had, but go out and buy more plants. I just barely finished planting those oh... about 13 plants, and now I am on my way out to get more! I went driving around other neighborhoods and say some shade gardens that were lovely and got some ideas that way. I love the idea of planting a bunch of the same plant in a mass. I also liked the textures and different foilage color idea. I planted some regular and variegated Jacobs Ladder, coleus in lime green (gorgeous) and in a dark purple (Behind the Jacobs Ladder). I also got some different colors in annual salvia, some canterberry bells, a minitature Rhododendron (Ramapo), Hybrid Birch and some Hostas. I also found out that I have partial shade so I might plant some Stella de Oro daylilies. Who knows, at this rate I might be done with both beds today :)

Tony, can I ever relate. The only difference is that I had never made a thing grow in my life before. The plants I received during the many hospital stays, I managed to kill within the year. I had three failed back surgeries which left me with no use of my left leg and foot, a back that I can no longer bend, turn or twist and lately severe Arthritis has attacked my entire body (especially my hands) and horrific pain 24/7. I was in deep depression for a very long time and perhaps if my children would have helped and worried about me as you do about your Mom, I would have pulled myself out of my world of self-pity a long time ago. Alas, I was not that lucky, however, one can only live like that for so long, before thoughts of ending it all take over, and I thank G-d for giving me the strength to find the will to search every avenue to help myself. Also, I have a family physician who is modern and not adverse to giving me enough medication (even narcotics) to take the edge off of the pain. When my youngest moved across the ocean, I bought a samll computer to keep in touch with her. I taught myself how to send e-mails and then I started wandering around the Internet. It was then that I came across GardenWeb and after reading the different posts for days, I got the courage to post and ask questions. You would not believe the many replies I received with all kind of advice on how to start a garden (some giving me sites where to find more info) Last winter I kept myself very busy planning my little garden, searching through catalogues, gardening magazines and the Internet, looking for perennial plants that have "good garden manners", as my garden buddy Newt taught me.I have several container plants and start working on them when it is too cold to plant in the ground. My garden takes up most of my time (even the many long sleepless nights). I agree with the poster that said that outside help can be very frustrating, however, if you have the time to supervise then they will do as your Mom would like to have in done. Who knows, I just might find another hobby to add, that will ensure that I have no spare moments to dwell on all the things I can no longer do (I was not born disabled) Also, I am not adverse to getting a little psycological help now and them when I need it most. I have to digress here for a moment and tell you that the great friends I found here on GardenWeb gave me a new lease on life. I still write to some and they answer when they are able. We exchange jokes as well as gardening information,links where you can find more information for every subject and seeing that we are in the same boat, in one form or another, it gives me the strength to carry on. (We understnad each other) Perhaps that is why I am so grateful to GardenWeb,and to this new Forum. The advice you got in the previous posts are excellent, and if I may, I would like to suggest that if you do build a raised bed, sitting on the wall and twisting around to care for the plants does not always work for everyone. I know it doesn't for me. I don't know if my solution will work for your Mom, however, I had four large (tall) rock garden stones with relatively flat tops placed in strategic places so that I can move around on them (not have to twist my spine). That way I am closer to the ground and can get my hands in the dirt. I guess I will have to leave the composting to purchasing it in a bag (not quite the same as making your own, I understand, however,it's the best I can manage.) Just one last thing, I have purchased some excellent "Enabling tools" through a Catalogue,the name is called Gardenscape, they have a toll free number, which is: 1-888-472-3266, the are situated in Toronto 416-698-5339, they are very reliable, guarantee all purchases and ship promptly. The Catalogue is Free. (I believe they are a GardenWeb sponsor) Good Luck, and G-d Bless Punky.

I go like a squirrel in the fall and collect as many bags of leaves that I can (I have neighbours who drop off their bagged leaves in my driveway) and I lug them to the back where most are deposited right on the lasagna vegetable gardens and in the raspberry patches. I keep as many more bags as I can so that once the snow starts to accumulate, I can scatter more leaves onto of the snow on the lasagna gardens so that even if the entire yards are covered with snow, I can still see where my gardens are at all time - keeps me motivated not to forget about them. I've started to prep my WSing containers and have a barrel full of soil and amendments in the garage that soon will be brought inside so I can stuff the soil into the WSing containers. I really love the fall and I find myself planting bulbs right up to Christmas - last year I was still planting bulbs on the first/second week of January as the weather was still mild enough (and White Rose was basically giving them away - they were some of my nicest tulips - came up yellow, opened to orange and spread open to red - really cool). I'm hoping to be able to keep planting bulbs until January; keep topping up my lasagna gardens until March and then have only April to wait my little winter sowed perennials to poke their little heads up when the weather takes another turn towards warming up. (It also helps going into the fall knowing that for the month of February I'm in florida)...

Timely post as this is what I've been doing this afternoon. I do not "love" gardening although I mostly enjoy it. I do find it is a creative outlet. I love doing container gardens and that is one thing I did today - at least out front. Still have plenty more to do on the patio area out back. I absolutely love spending time outdoors and love flowers and plants. I cannot imagine NOT having flowers/landscaping, etc. and I must also have houseplants. Bought a new one today LOL. Also visited our most favorite local nursery over the weekend. My mom's dad raised iris for much of his adult life. People came every year to see his gardens and buy his iris. After his death, I found one of his little notebooks with notations about where iris were in the gardens, what new varieties he had "bred", etc. My mom inherited that love and had roses for years. I guess I come by it natural. Last year we broke down and had our front professionally landscaped. After much trial and error and $$$, we just couldn't get it right. We've done the rest ourselves and it's fairly low maintenance. We don't plant any annuals, have tons of periennels, and there are things blooming early spring through very late fall. I'm not one who wants to be in the gardens/flowers all day long. As for veggie gardens, with our lifestyle, we just don't have the time to devote to much of that. We always do cukes and tomatoes (got tomatoes this weekend too!) and a few peppers, etc. Our camping and traveling time makes veggie gardening hard too. tina