What's been happening over the last 5 growing seasons

So what have we accomplished in 5 growing seasons:

• Stone retaining wall constructed to support concrete retaining wall with waterfall cascading off stones into pond beneath adjacent to sand beach (constucted by Shade Today)

• Paver patio with fire pit constructed adjacent to pond and beach with paver path from it to patio under deck with slider entry to walk-out basement

• Garden vignette created in front of smaller concrete wall on opposite side of backyard 

•  Fairy garden in shady corner under deck planted with spring ephemerals

• Herb garden in a sheltered microclimate between the house and garage

•  Rhubarb, strawberries, blueberries, a cherry tree, herbs, and other edibles in nearby beds

• Constructed raised bed from Sam’s Club kit to raise heirloom tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, more tomatoes,...

• Created large bed of native plants near back of yard to serve function of a rain garden, preventing large amounts of water from racing down slope into a ditch that drains directly in to the lake

• Native plants, shrubs and trees considered for ability to support a vaiety of wildlife

• Pond supports a variety of wildlife bringing croaking toads to the yard

•  Making conscientious effort to avoid products containing phosphorous or chemicals detrimental to the health of the lake and local wildlife
• Birdfeeders, birdbaths & pond, and birdhouses chosen to attract a variety of birds to the yard
• Hummingbird feeders to fill with sugar water,  and tray feeders to till with oranges and grape jelly for the orioles as migration through the area begins hung close to house for convenient filling

• Golden rain crabapple, Hawthorn, Autmn Blaze Pear, sumac, and 3 slow-growing Fat Albert Spruce planted in bed above waterfall winding down around far side of it

• River birch clump planted to temper disappointment that may follow likely loss of ash trees  (Treat birch annually in fall with soil drench of Bayer Advanced Tred & shrub Insect control (imidaproclid) to protect again birch borer per Melinda Myers
• Shrubs and perennials planted in beds above and below waterfall for 4 season interest

• Knockout rose bushes provide nearly nonstop summer color

• Daffodils planted for early spring color (tulips have proven to be too attractive to roaming deer to consider)
• Pagoda dogwood planted near ash tree in front yard to fill in some of space that may be left by potential loss of nearby ash tree to advancing emerald ash borer(I have been treating trees annually early to mid-May with soil drench of Bayer Advanced Tree & shrub Insect Control (imidaproclid) - mulch should be pulled back prior to application - most effective for trees <15” DBH (diameter breast height) )
• Host and nectar plants added to 2 perennial beds to attract butterflies to front yard

• Perennials aded to bed with existing plantings of rede twigged dogwoods, spruce tree, and viburnum

• Daffodils planted to bloom amongst red dragon sedum to be followed by daylilies in bed surrounding mailbox at curb