making progress

I've started to spruce up the outside of the house.  As I've said before, I'm not a gardener, so I'm sticking with perennials (since they come back every year and are pretty easy to grow) and just a few annuals (cheap!).  And one tomato plant.  (I figure if I kill the tomato plant, I've only wasted a few dollars.)

I did a little weeding in the garden last night. It's a bit intimidating; there's a lot of plants in there and I have no idea which ones are weeds. I need a little help in identifying one of them (see below, last picture).  There's also lots of grass growing in.  I figure each time I go outside I'll pull a few weeds.  Eventually it will get done.  I planted some fast-growing ground cover in hopes that the grass will eventually be choked out.

Tomorrow it's on to mowing the lawn.  We have about an acre and a half and usually use the push mower. We have an old sit-down mower, but it needs two new tires.  I figure it takes about a full day to mow the whole lawn.  That assumes we take a few breaks to eat, drink and rest.   A couple weeks ago I mowed the lawn for the first time since I was kid and I enjoyed it. I get a lot of satisfaction out of it:  it appeals to the creativity and perfectionism in me, and I'm now physically able to do it without feeling like I'm going to drop dead.

Here's some pictures of my progress and a few plants I bought.

My lone tomato plant.  Wish me luck!

Just because I love this bush.  So pretty.  

It wasn't in bloom yet last weekend.  I love the wild look of it.

Columbine. Delicate, tissue paper-like flowers.  I love this.

This is going in the front of the house. 

Or maybe the rock wall. Not sure yet. It will grow into a four to five foot shrub.

English daisies and Tidal Pool Speedwell (?).  

These are going in the front of the house I think.

(Cat won't be planted.)

A few annuals.  Needs more weeding, but looking better than it was.

A few annuals next to the pond.

My new coffee table for the patio.  Tempered glass and metal; 

it was only $10.00 at a tag sale!

(Yes, I need to weed the patio.)

Anyone know what these are??  They're a little scary looking.