Walkway problems

(thanks to all for the plant suggestions - some plants are identified, some are still unknown - I need to do some more research on houseplant sites).

This winter will be the time to work on some garden projects.  Sean and I are planning on making a trip to Community Forklift to scope out supplies.  Here is the list of gardening projects to date to work on.

1.  Sean wants to lay in rocks in the slight slope in the front yard.  He has a vision, not sure what he wants to do.

2.  My door for the vegetable garden needs to be rebuilt/replaced

3.  I read a cool article in Mother Earth News about fitting your rain barrel to run two soaker hoses.

4.  The window to the cold frame broke so I need to find another window the same size or bigger to fit the frame

5.  The project that needs the most attention is addressing the issue of the path on the side of the house.  Here are some pictures

I have stones and dirt.  I need to put something between the stones - but what?

This book,  Revolutionary Yardscape, has some nice ideas that involved tumbled pottery - I don't have a tumber or enough pottery!

I need ideas for this walkway.  There are plants on either side of it but obviously not enough to prevent the dirt from running over the stones.  This is my number one priority for spring.

My rain barrels are here

As I write, there is a very cute dude (why are environmentalists rugged and cute) installing my rain barrels.  Subsidized by the DC government and RiverSmart Homes.  Installed by DC Greenworks.

The barrel

Preparing the site.

Rain Barrel Technician

Is it going to fit?

Cutting the gutter

Barrel installed and ready for use

New Rain Barrels

I've already failed in the NaBloPoMo challenge to post something to the blog everyday this month. I'm in Charleston, SC for a conference and while there is an "internet cafe" often there is a line of librarians frantically waiting to check their email.

My new 150 gallon rain barrels, curtesy of the DC government for the small fee of $30, are set to arrive in a couple of weeks. My neighbor has graciously agreed to try putting a rain barrel beneath his gutter, on the side of the house that shares my side. The other rain barrel will most likely replace the one that is in the backyard and the current barrel will be moved to the side of the garage. There is a small plot that is adjacent to the garage but that is only accessible by going out the back gate to the alley. It's a pain to get water there so having a rain barrel back in the alley should alleviate the problem. The only problem would be want mischief people who use the alley will do to the barrel. I'm optimistic that nothing will happen - on the other hand, maybe it will get stolen. We'll see.

In the meantime, it's beautiful weather in Charleston and my goal is to find those grits mommy porch recommended. Are they locally grown and milled? I can buy locally grown tea - I think there is one tea plantation left in SC.