The black plastic did its job preparing my garden bed.

Finally pulled off the black plastic that's been covering the grass all summer. I had been worried it might not kill the grass as planned since I had a container garden on top of it and that got watered almost every day. But, that didn't seem to hamper the killing. Hopefully, it got hot enough to kill all the weed seeds, too. I guess I'll find out next year.

The plastic was thick (3 ml.), so it still looks in pretty good shape. I'm going to re-use it to cover the bad for the winter after the plot is tilled and the topsoil and compost are spread. Not only was this a cheap and relatively easy way to get rid of the grass, I didn't have to use any toxic chemicals!

The garden is looking ugly (at least it was cheap).

So...when I had to come up with a new plan to replace the raised bed that I heard neighbor hated...I didn't really have a lot of time or options. I couldn't find any big pots at thrift stores and didn't have time to get enough through yard sales, so I got the biggest "pots" I could find at the Dollar store. Doesn't make for much of a view. Next year the soil will be ready and everything will go in the ground. Perhaps this interim eyesore is a good thing...the neighbors will think next year is such an improvement no one will think to grouse about me putting veggies in the front yard, no?

No more raised veggie garden bed in the front yard.

I heard a neighbor was very upset with the raised bed I was putting in my front yard, so I nixed it. Far be it from me to ruin someone's life with my garden. I did not discard the idea of a veggie garden altogether, though. I am putting in a regular bed instead. I don't think anyone will be able to tell the difference between my flower garden and my veggie garden once it's done (thought the raised bed woulda looked okay, too, had it been given the chance). Probably won't get a huge yield this year as I don't have enough planning/time to till the soil. I'm hoping a week or so of the black plastic will kill some of the grass, then I will just plunk the veggies down with lots of compost. Next year should be much better.