Thanks for breaking the ice, catkim. In general, this design is was my response to the challenge of creating an assymetrical design (which my house seems to need the way it sits on this lot) and using curves, (which I have discovered are more to my liking than sticking only to straight lines. They're hard to break away from on this lot, though, but perhaps I haven't done so enough? That's something I'd appreciate a comment on). The model was my attempt to try and visualise the plan and balance mass and void. The latter is really tough for me. So, firstly, I'd like to know, is it balanced? If not, why not. Would it be balanced if I used only dense material (like the rocks?) or is that throwing it out of whack? Again, I'm not entirely sure what questions I need answered--you guys are good at helping me figure that out. The fence: at first I thought I'd wanted one all the way around the front yard to enclose it. But 3.3 feet isn't much of an enclosure. Plus, I am on a corner lot with some foot traffic--and it would be nice to let folks see the "pretty plants." I know I really enjoy it. I was going to do away with it entirely until I read something on-line (can't remember the name of it now, but linked below) where it was mentioned that vertical height can balance a horizontal void. As there isn't much I can grow on the right side of the property because of the neighbour's birch, I thought perhaps the vertical on that side could give me partial enclosure and help balance the void there. I'm not attatched to the idea of a fence, though, for two reasons: 1) it would block my own view of the trunk of the birch which is interesting and 2) it might be considered "unneighbourly" of me. (Though that doesn't worry me too much.) The first could be addressed by making the fence nearly transparent. However, doing that may lose its purpose in the design as being a balance for the lawn--so, perhaps some of you could comment and help me out with that. About the path: I'd do away with the one on the right in a heartbeat, but I am obligated to provide something for the meter-reader to access that side of the house. It is too narrow an accessway to comfortably use the wheelbarrow. We do cut across the lawn on the left all the time, so I figured a path there would be a good idea. And then again, my tendency is to repeat what is on one side with something on the other! The path encloses and defines the limit of the bed on the right--what would enclose/define the bed on the left if there were no path? I'd truly be interested to know the answer to that--especially if the paths are too jarring and divisive. I do plan to make them gravel, if that helps--not BRIGHT WHITE concrete or anything like that! The paths, though, have been my major headache and hassle (well, that and the fact I feel restricted by being unable to do anything on the right.) And yes, we're still talking design principles and "the basics" but until the plan shows these things handled appropriately for the site, to my way of thinking, there isn't much point planning what bulbs to plant for spring. (Though I am only about 6-8 weeks away from that "window of opportunity" already.) Hope that helps. Thanks. Here is a link that might be useful: Assymetric Garden design

I haven't found a store like THAT! (Maybe that's a good thing). Where is it by the way? I'm bad too. I went into Home Depot for some Black Cow and Mushroom Compost. Should have cost all of about $20. Over $200 later I left. I decided to try the self winding hose storage things. If they work it'll be great. If not, they go back. They're supposed to pull the hose in and wind it up with by flipping a lever so the water pressure does the work. Then of coarse I needed new hose, and hose spray nozzles and....well, you know the rest. I'm surprised my husband didn't have a cow.

i sproutec pachys 2 years ago by accident, heres how and it could have been dumb luck but i put 5 seeds in a clear tray with lots of water and left it in a window sill facing the sun rise during the hottest part of summer in about 2 months of forgetting they were there i saw them sprouting. it may have been dumb luck, but it worked for me. mary

Don't know what happened to my post. Mom2sulu - I'd say the white subway was a tad whiter than cabinet. I'm currently looking at subway ceramics' Avalon tile. If I looked at heritage tile before, none of the samples worked. I've looked/bought samples for so many tiles, I no longer can remember. I think this Avalon one might be the one. I've been turned off by the yellow or pinkish undertones; this Avalon one is 'just there' w/ no noticeable undertones when under cabinet lighting. Hope the tile is fairly priced. The designer that was here the other day said it doesn't look inexpensive. Ugh. If it gets the backsplash off the checklist I may have to bite the bullet, but I'm beyond spending lots more $$ on kitchen. i don't know how herringbone subway behind stove and the rest of backsplash being the brick layout, would look. Another dilemma. p.s. The Avalon tile is smooth matte