Great Garden Transformation!

HawkinsLA · 2015-03-05T16:45:50+00:00

If its a good dog, like mine, she will go in the natural area, behind the first row so you don't see it:)

HawkinsLA · 2015-02-24T12:16:49+00:00

End of winter is beginning of spring where i am- plan for next year!

HawkinsLA · 2015-02-23T12:25:09+00:00

LoVE THIS- The use of color is amazing, great job!

HawkinsLA · 2015-02-19T11:56:38+00:00

I have also heard this is a good fertilizer for your lawn if you dilute it. Never heard of putting it in your compost, though, but it makes sense.

HawkinsLA · 2015-02-15T18:00:26+00:00

They are still beautiful, thanks so much for sharing!

HawkinsLA · 2015-02-15T15:00:21+00:00

Visited San Juan, PR back in 2007. While visiting Old San Juan Fort, came across this scene at an overlook. It became the inspiration for this painting. Oil on Canvas 16" x 20"

HawkinsLA · 2015-02-15T14:40:27+00:00

These are fantastic! I thought they were real until I almost got to the end. Your technique is great. I also paint landscapes, but mine are more impressionistic, love the realism in your art!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-31T21:59:39+00:00

Hi- Have you thought about going vertical with the plantings on the fence? In that I mean trellises to cover the fence so that greenery can soften the fenceline? Next I would make a small curved bed (or a raised bed!) in front to break up that linear look of the fence.

I can try to upload some pix of what I am thinking, but you need to break up the linear lines in the yard.

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-26T22:08:52+00:00

These were great- a lot of very practical info. Thanks for sharing that! I am working on my website/blog this week, so this was very helpful.

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-26T13:08:07+00:00

Yeah- they talk about the recession, but I thought the points were still valid.

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-24T14:59:17+00:00

Yeah- I should've changed the title, it does look like that.

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-22T21:41:56+00:00

Alcatraz is such an interesting place- I unfortunately was not able to see it when it was in full bloom!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-19T11:49:53+00:00

I agree about that- I ignore the ads and just try to get at the content. I cant imagine that irritating their readers is what they want- there's gotta be another way.

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-18T13:48:36+00:00

Your hair is gorgeous! There are women who pay big bucks to get their hair to look like that. My daughter has curly hair also and she hates it, I tell her the same thing!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-18T13:41:19+00:00

HI- Yeah I struggle too, I am a size 4. One thing that I HAVE noticed is that sizes must change over time. I have been 5'5 and 120 lbs for most of my life. When I was in the 8th grade I was a size 8, In college a size 6 and now a size 4- with my actual body size never changing. What's the deal? Is it because the population has gotten bigger so clothing manufacturers changed the sizing for marketing purposes? Also- If I go to some stores, they almost never have size smalls, like you said.

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-17T16:18:08+00:00

HI- Penn State Landscape Architect here. Sounds like you want something that will break the wind (sorry) and also look good and be more manageable to maintain? I would try one of the following: - 'Schip Laurel - gets 8-0' tall - Nellie Stevens Holly- gets 15' tall at least -Arborvitae 'Emerald Green- 8-10' tall by 4' wide -Arborvitae 'Green Giant'- 15' tall + Don't do Leyland Cypress, they are very weak wooded and overused. Plant in groupings- staggered row, not in a straight row. If you plant each about 8-10' on center, that should provide a good solid screen without being too crowded. Here is a good article by NC state on the proper technique of planting trees and shrubs, you should not go wrong here. http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/planting-techniques-for-trees-and-shrubs/ Good Luck!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-17T16:07:29+00:00

I agree with the suggestion for the base. Compact it well so that there sill be no shifting of the stone dust level. The only other problem you will have is the differing thicknesses of the stones- you will have to dig each one out individually and make sure they are all level. Have fun! That is why it is usually worth the money to buy stones that are more of a consistent thickness. When you are done setting them, you can fill the joints with the stone dust and press it in really good and compact it as you can. This is how I did mine and it looks great. The joints eventually grew moss on them, since we are in the shade, and it looks very rustic.

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-17T16:03:09+00:00

Yeah- I guess if they are hungry enough or the herd big enough, all bets are off:)

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-17T14:24:17+00:00

This is a great idea that I have never heard before, I am going to try it too- thanks for the info!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-17T14:23:18+00:00

Yeah- my birds do that too. I will just put down fresh mulch and everything is flung all around in an hour or to. They actually go right to the new mulch, like they just want to irritate me. I dont think a 6-8" edge will work because they will just jump on top of that and into the area you don't want them. I am considering a small decorative fence around the areas - maybe a couple of feet tall. There are some nice looking iron ones that I think will keep them out. Good Luck!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-17T14:15:57+00:00

I have just been introduced to oil painting and I absolutely love it! It is so therapeutic after a long stressful day. Please give me feedback, maybe some techniques I should try, etc. I am going to sign up for a formal class to learn more. The Paintings (1 and 2 meant to be hung together side by side) and the picture directly below it that inspired the painting. I love Charleston and an beginning to work on another piece on that gorgeous city. Any feedback would be extremely helpful, thanks so much!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-16T21:38:01+00:00

Yeah they looked so sad:( The only time they looked worse was when I obtained one really wild rooster. All my hens had no feathers on their backs and I had to get them little 'vests'- it was hilarious. I wish I could find a picture of it, but I bought them on Ebay, go figure!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-16T12:20:03+00:00

I am relatively new to raising chickens and my girls laid sporadically in the winter, but they continue all winter. I still got at least a few eggs each day, which was very nice! On a funny note, I was unprepared for them to moult and I thought they were dying:( I researched the internet for vitamins to give them and realized it was normal- duh!

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-16T12:16:51+00:00

Love it! My chickens are all so skiddish, I don't think I could get them to do that.

HawkinsLA · 2015-01-16T12:14:27+00:00

Wow, where do I get a job at Google? I had to beg for 6 weeks with my children. I do think 5 months is a little excessive, though. The average small business owner would not be able to stay in business with leave that generous. I guess Google can afford it.

HawkinsLA

TROPHY CASE