The portal at the 'Dalesmouth viaduct end of the tunnel got a coat of paint first. I've painted everything, including the track, which will need cleaning when it's dry.

The portal at the 'Overdale Quarry' end of tunnel with its coat of paint. I have also started adding some more contours to the hill in the back corner.

In this view you can see both ends of the tunnel and more construction work at the back corner. These contours begin to define the notch through the hillside made by the stream, which ends with the waterfall in the foreground.

I have used some of the irregular offcuts of cardboard at the top leading edge of the hill to define the shape. It will also give a starting point for pasting the landscape covering to.

Most of our work in the last couple months has actually been on the landscaping. As well as pulling up the grass, I used the existing sprinkler valves, and added filters and pressure regulators, to turn two zones into the source for a drip system.

Here you see two of the mainlines where I'm burying them as they cross a path. One is going to our future vegetable garden near the alley to the left, and the other (which branches in this picture) waters most of the landscaping beds in the back yard.

Also, my cactus that was blooming and I missed it bloom now as two more blooms starting to form. I am going to watch these like a hawk and try to get pictures of these blooms. The two old blooms have already fell off and I can't find them on the ground so, I am assuming that some animals have taken off with them.

We got some storms last night but nothing to exciting. I picked up some Miloganite yesterday and will be putting that down tonight. Hopefully stuff will begin to really grow and look great. I have also included a picture of my Stargazer Lily just because it is a really beautiful flower.

Have a great day,

Jake

Moon gardens are designed to give pleasure for those who come home at night and want to relax in their gardens. Special landscape designs are considered to be able to view and enjoy the beauty of night gardens.

Here are the essential elements that should blend well to create a magical and enchanted night garden.

Fragrant Evening Flowers

Scented flowers are must-haves in a moon garden. The intoxicating scent of flowers soothes you as you prepare for a long and good night sleep. Roses are almost permanent fixtures in night gardens because of their fragrance especially when they bloom. If you want to get an aromatic scent for your night garden, try to grow rosemary and thyme.

Besides decorating your night garden with evening-scented flowers, pick also those flowers that open up at night. Moon flower and Angel's Trumpet are some examples of night-blooming flowers. Watching flowers bloom at night is surely a visual attraction that you and your partner will enjoy together.

Landscape Lighting for Moon Gardens

You can't enjoy the full moon every night. You have to plan a perfect landscape lighting that will make your moon garden interesting and attractive to look at even at night.

Illuminate pathways and steps. It's best to use small low-wattage lights for this part of your garden. Subtle lighting will give your night garden a soft glow and a more relaxing mood.

You can use spotlights to showcase the attractive features of your night garden. Accent lights can also be used to draw attention to a small tree at the center of your garden or to night blooming flowers scattered at the sides.

Sound, Water and Relaxing Benches

Remember that you can almost hear any sound at night. It's better to hear a soothing sound in your night garden to give you that relaxing place you deserve.
Fountains with circulating water, whether big or small, can create that background sound perfect for a romantic evening. They also add glow to your night garden as twinkle lights are reflected on the water's surface.

Do not forget to place benches where you can sit down and enjoy the enchanted night garden you created. Evening conversations in a beautiful moon garden is surely the best way to end your day.

To find more information on landscaping designs visit http://www.landscapingdesigns.org

Check this keyhole garden video out that was posted earlier on the Panama Yahoo Gardening Group.

Looks excellent for areas which are extremely difficult to work like Taboga Island which can be very rocky and with poor soil.

Cynthia

www.cerritotropicalpanama.com

A garden portal, or in simple layman's terms your garden gate, can set the artistic tone to your property.  Garden gates should be one of the first things you consider when putting together a landscape design. 

Your garden gate is really an outdoor doorway adding a statement to your fence.  You have to consider the style, size, shape and material that the garden gate is made out of.  If you are installing a simple fence then consider getting a great garden gate.  If your gate is visible from the front of your house then you must take into consideration the architecture of the home, a garden gate that compliments your home rather than clashing with the style and color.

Mention this blog and receive a free drawing with signed contract.

However, many gardeners feel that tomato cages are flimsy and too expensive for what they do. So here are some suggestions:

Wire Mesh: Using a 6x6-inch wire mesh is great for cages to support tomatoes because it is cheap and easy to install. You can also use plastic sheeting to make make small greenhouses for the fall when it begins to get frosty. Just cut the mesh into 3.5' lengths as you can always short the cage by rolling one end inside the other. The weight of the tomatoes will hold it in place.

Wood Ladders: This is an ingenious way to support big plants. Build two 4' ladders out of scrap strapping and use an old door hinge at the top. They fold out like a step ladder and two ropes or chains on each side prevent them from folding out to far and as extra supports for the plant. The tomato plant will get support in the rungs and the side supports, which can also be strapping.

Upside Down Tomato Planters: For those who do not have the available space you can plant the tomato in a plastic bucket. First cut a hole in the bottom and put in a coffee filter. Fill 3/4 of the way with soil and plant the tomato. Now cut a hole in the lid so that the plant sticks through. The bucket is then flip over and hung from the eave of a balcony and is watered from the bottom. The inverted plant will support the fruit.

Or you can plant them the old fashioned way using sticks and tie-downs.

Last time I outlined the shape of the hill, but this is quite flimsy as it is. Now I am reinforcing this with what I call the 'eggbox' technique. Besides adding strength and rigidity this further defines the shape.

In this closer view you can see how the landscape is reinforced roughly into square sections. You can also see how the lateral contours reveal themselves too.

At the end today's 2-hour session this is where I had got to. Although it's quite a long winded technique, I find it quite therapeutic. CLICK FOR A LARGE IMAGE

An overview from slightly further back. CLICK FOR A LARGE IMAGE

You know how they say that a man's home is like his "castle".

Well, here in Kuching, increasingly we are seeing more folks landscaping not only their gardens but also the surrounding exterior of their homes.

In fact, in certain Green Heights area, you will be greeted by well designed and maintained theme gardens – all courtesy of the respective home owners.

Personally, I think, everyone should spend some efforts, not necessary big time money, to spruce up their surroundings.

At the very least, make sure the front of your home is not a “weeds jungle”……trim the grass periodically... you know....

Starting at the 'Overdale Quarry' end of the tunnel and working out from the tunnel portal, which I did last time, two basic cross-section pieces are glued in place first.

The shape is then developed as contoured ribs are added to the central spine. I try not to waste any useful piece of cardboard, which is why the rib to the rear is not a full rib. When braced it makes little difference.

After more construction the various structures are slowly merging into one.

And, from the 'Dalesmouth' viaduct end of the tunnel, as further contoured pieces are blended in, the rolling profile of the hill takes shape.