Thanks for the suggestions. I did ok last weekend. I had layered some red twig last summer that were meant for another spot and rooted very well. I used some of those and did a few dozen cuttings...the stake and plop, walk away method. (i'm patient) Very busy with other things...garden beds, many projects, as ownership and limited time stirs up. I don't have a budget issue but like to use natives and a more natural setting is what we have always leaned towards. In the pic it is not the elder barn or baby barn...but just near the viburnum on the right is the new build. Seems hidden but to the naked eye, on location, it is like a peeping tom. (we like them fine as neighbors. Just had privacy for 20 yrs)-they are not outdoors types...i see a desk and binoculars, : ) Just kidding. I don't even mind if they run across this post somehow. We did have a devastating 2006 infesting year that did lots of damage to viburnums and a few others. I'll look into some hearty low evergreens. The red twigs will help...grow like weeds here. Just want a natural low screen. DH insisted on the two arborvitae and wants more... Not my choice but a mix seems the best overall outcome. This post was edited by sleevendog on Wed, Jun 4, 14 at 10:39

You have to keep reminding yourself that this won't be a quick project. Since you're starting from scratch on a difficult area, I'd guess this will take several years of trial and error to get a look you're happy with. The stepping areas and feeders/birdbath are great ideas. There isn't much point in adding a lot of mulch to an area that you're not ready to plant yet - certainly add an inch or two, if you think it'll stay there. It will break down and the soil will be better when you get to planting the area, but until you get some rooted plants into that area the new soil and the mulch will erode a bit. I wouldn't pull up the weeds - their roots will help stabilize the area until you're ready to tackle it. You can dump some mulch on them and it'll help kill off the bits growing above ground without removing the roots. If you spray with Round Up (might not be allowed anymore in Halifax area?) that will kill off the weeds without removing the roots, but... Round Up takes a few days to a few weeks to break down, and you've got a slope where the rain will run down and wash that stuff onto your lawn or other plants. Might not be a wise idea :-) I would just dump mulch onto them a couple of times a year and gently pull out what is really loose. It takes longer, but you are solving the poor soil problem that way too. In general I am not a fan of herbicides and pesticides since almost all problems they are used for can be sloved with better cultural practices or gardening techniques. I don't know if this would work for you, but if you want to add a lot of mulch right now, and have it stay put, you could place chicken wire or hardware cloth over the mulch (pin the chicken wire to the ground with stakes). A heavy rain might erode some of it, especially in the steeper parts, but it would help a bit at least. About your seeds you plan to use next spring - a word of caution. Seeds are a great way to fill up the slope quickly and without breaking the bank, but stay away from the generic 'wildflower' mixes you can get in Canadian Tire and places like that. They contain a lot of weedy seeds and very few seeds of plants you actually want to have growing there. Buy a good quality wildflower mix - it won't be that much more expensive and it'll be a major improvement over the cheaper stuff. Seeds can wash away fairly easily, so you might want to consider laying down some thin jute or burlap to sow them in or under (that protective burlap you get to wrap shrubs in the winter would work). Sow then as soon as the snow melts. Or you could wintersow them (or some of them) in containers and plant the resulting seedlings in your nooks and crannies. The Japanese Maple being shallow rooted might be a problem if you were planting it directly on the slope. Shallow rooted plants will have a harder time staying put on a slope, but if you build it a nice sized terrace, then it might be perfect. Select one that is hardier than would normally be necessary for your area because of the cold flowing downhill problem. You have a swampy lawn huh? That's a drainage problem. You have neighbours higher up the hill than you do? That's almost certainly where your water is coming from. Peat moss might mop up a bit of water, but I doubt it'd solve your problem. A permanent fix would be to regrade your lawn, but that's not cheap (or have your neighbour regrade his, but that's a lot to ask from a neighbour). You could also install a French drain type of thing to drain the water to a lower lying area or drain - that's cheaper, and a do-it-yourself project if you want, but still a lot of work. You could decide to grow a bog garden in that spot - irises, cannas, lots of neat grasses... I think your slope provides you with some really neat garden terrain - my 'fantasy garden' always has a nice terraced slope full of plants, but it is going to be more challenging than building 'ye olde generic bed'. BP

Thanks for all your wonderful comments. JB, I agree, I think their smiles keep me painting them. Syble, I have so many friends and family that I give to and I also donate some for benefits and auctions when asked. I can't believe you family doesn't want you to keep giving. My family is always telling me what they'd like. I noticed your beautiful roses on your chairs. Please share more of your projects you've painted with us. Sorry I didn't mention this on your post of your kitchen but was trying to get off here to go get dishes done so I can hit the hay early. As Luvs mentioned, we'd love to have you come over to the painting forum and join us too. Luvs, I'm happy that your figuring out what's important in life. Keep reminding me and maybe by the time I retire I'll have life figured out also. Lynn, Alot of my trays were DM's and most of the others are from DD and my Sis. This tray was purchased at Target and DD liked it painted so much she bought me 2 more to paint. Some of my DM that Ive painted wouldn't of happened if I'd known I might start trying tablescapes. Oh well, it's to late now. Thanks for asking. Luvs is the one who sent me into this new thing of painting on trays. Betty, It's not the easiest thing for me to do either but I'm happy you liked it. Punk

Thanks everyone, I'm glad to have that window ledge so I can put them all out together too. My santa collection is smaller, so they get the shelf above the television in the family room--but I didn't put them out this year. DH and I were laughing that they have a nice backdrop since we've recently had several days of rain (it stopped for Christmas eve and Christmas Day, wasn't that considerate?)the mountains north of us now have beautiful snow capped peaks now. Yes, it's nice to see it but not have to shovel it or drive in it! ;o) Luvs