This was a mid-pandemic project. I needed to DO something. I’d already painted the mailbox the same color as the front door (and found an awesome new copper vinyl label here). Digging in the dirt was a totally safe activity (as long as one doesn’t hit the brand-new invisible dog fence line .. close call, eek). This mailbox garden would have an undulating edge to mimic the beds in front of the house, and buried in it would be a secret I’d carry all winter … dozens of happy tulips and daffodils to greet my neighbors come spring. 🙂 Like the pandemic, it was an exercise in delayed gratification, but the smiles in 2021 (and the years since) made it well worth the wait.

*

That said, the key to keeping tulips alive in this deer-infested neck of the woods is a wonderfully nasty spray called Bobbex. I tell everyone who will listen about this vile concoction of garlic, mint, cat food, fish guts, etc. It keeps the deer at bay if you spray every couple days as they’re sprouting/blooming. Do not, I repeat, DO NOT get downwind of it!

Go to Yard, Stage 4: Driveway Flower Bed

Go to the whole house Before & After Picture Index

Never miss new content .. subscribe here or at the bottom of the page!