By July I realized I needed more space. I had already filled the existing planters and the patio area. But the gardening bug had bit hard, clamping down with its bright green jaws. I had to expand. This was first foray into any kind of landscaping, but it was successful. I worked the soil for a week, in the cool nights, after a long commute home from work.
First, I picked a spot in front of the back office
Next, I used a hose to get the shape and started digging (and digging and digging and digging).
Then, when the native soil had been sufficiently churned I mixed it with amendments and added a log border to match the one in my other planter. Don’t mind the terrible state of the grass—that is a future project.
Finally, after a trip to Roger’s Gardens (a huge nursery in Corona Del Mar), I found some amazing shade-tolerant plants and put them in. I also picked up some solar landscape lights from Lowe’s for the final touch.
Here’s the two planters together:
And here are close-ups of the plants and how everything looks at night.
Jer's Garden Diary 
Everything looks so amazing, Jeremy! Your hard work has really paid off! My double delight roses are doing wonderfully, fully blooming. I have a pot of miniature yellow roses that is doing well too, today I was trimming it and actually took off a bud. I always can’t stand it when I accidentally take off a future flower!
Your garden look great! Keep up the great work!
This is so amazing! Hope I can see it someday soon. I was telling Graton about this and he said, “Your brother is amazing. Everything he comes in contact with, he beautifies.”
That’s super nice of Graton to say. I’m still learning a lot tho — notice how I don’t post photos of the plants that I haven’t managed to keep alive 😉 But, it’s been really rewarding all in all.