Thanks, dancinglemons. Any beds are better than no beds at all, I say. Bonus that you had hubby do it for you instead of having to do it all yourself, lol. The 8x4 bed, and 2 of the 4x4 beds are only going to be 9" tall. I figured that giving myself an extra 3" on top of the required 6" would be good enough, but maybe not? I did plan on one bed having one more set of timbers, which would make it around 12" high. I'm also thinking of not pounding the rebar into the ground, and instead slipping a short length (like 5 inches, maybe?) of pvc over the protruding parts on both sides, then inserting a 10' length of pvc into each piece to create hoops to then later add tulle or plastic as needed. I'm not sure it'll work, and I've never seen it done that way, but it should be a pretty cheap experiment to test out. I figure, with the weight of the lumber, it's not like the beds are going to go anywhere. What's the point of hammering the rebar into the solid ground and creating more work for myself? Along the lines of adding more work, I'm also thinking of pounding some rebar into the ground in the middle 4x4 bed, which will be the highest, slipping some copper pipe over the protrusions, and fashioning a trellis out of it. I know it'll be more expensive than pvc, but copper looks so great when shiny and new, and keeps its interest as it ages and develops a patina. Plus, it'll last forever, and it seems like it'll be a nice, semi-non-ugly solution for climbing plants. If it works out, I may build shorter ones for the other two 4x4 beds that flank it, or give them some other sorts of support structures on the sides closest to the fence. As for watering, I'm not really sure what I'm going to do just yet. When I say I'm learning as I go, it's really true... I have NO idea how to set up a soaker hose! There used to be an automatic sprinkler system on the lawn, and I suppose there still is, but the water isn't going to go where I need/want it, so that's kind of out. I would like to capitalize on the fact that this place has a fancy programmable watering timer installed in the garage to control everything, but I honestly don't know how any of it works. I don't know where the pipes are running, or how to hook anything up to them, or anything, and it seems like it might be a complicated process. Until or unless I get things figured out, I'll probably just be watering with the hose every day.

wow, what inpiration. We moved into our new house on 2 acres with little to no landscaping. Needless to say we have lots to do so I love this thread for ideas! I have been keeping a powerpoint show going on my computer of nice ideas and I got tons from here! Here are a couple of my favourite spots I managed to accomplish over the last two years: My bird sanctuary created this summer (only the hydrangea and blue spruce were there before): Some fall colour: In the blues: Much more to go! Sharon

Wow, what a difference Franeli! Isn't it amazing to think that big pile of snow will be a lovely garden in a few months. Claire, no snow persons here but plenty of snow! Come to think of it, we have had nearly continuous snow cover since December 2. Unusual winter that way. I haven't seen much of the garden beds for awhile. I will be really ready for Spring and bulbs and things when it comes. Last Sunday morning, I was able to snap a picture of the bird feeding area and the evergreens with snow on them before it all melted. You can see the a couple feeders, the corner of my house, and all the evergreens and shrubs the birds can hang out in.

Jackied, love the view you have! Do you have any summer pictures (we have a summer/winter theme that comes up in these threads)?? Must be beautiful with the leaves on the trees. Those yellow berries on the Holly are really pretty. Ellen I have crabapples like that in the back. Most of the fruits have been picked off the wild crabs but not those huge red ones. I wonder if the birds will eat them eventually? I'll have to take a walk this afternoon and try to get some wintry shots. Wasn't it weird to see the ground last week for all of 4 days (for those of us north of the Southern coastline, that is)? After 2 1/2 months of nearly continuous snow cover, and now it's back, seeing the earth come to life is gonna be like heaven...:)