My project over the weekend was to install a new landscape bed at the edge of our back woods that will provide some screening for an outdoor shower.  My daughter, who is a graduate student studying green roofs at the University of Maryland was home for the weekend to give me some “expert” help.  We left a hose out in the sun so it became pliable and then used it to delineate a new bed line.  Liz made the line, while I stood on the deck one story above to look at the overall effect.  Once we were satisfied we marked the line with flags.  Then I edged the bed with a spade.  Next, I got my handy sod lifter (a tool I received from my father that many friend have borrowed over the years).  The sod lifter has a flat blade and a crook in the shaft that allows you to lift sod while remaining relatively upright.  It works like a charm but still takes some elbow grease.  I put the lifted sod in a wheel barrow and dumped it in the compost pile.  Next, I laid out my plants–a sweet bay magnolia, 2 sweet shrubs (Calycanthus floridus), a deciduous holly and lots of ‘Blue Zinger’ Carex–all purchased from the University of Delaware Botanic Garden plant sale.  I was able to divide most of the carex in half or thirds so they covered much of the ground layer.  After planting, I took my lawn mower into the woods edge and mowed up some old leaves. I emptied the clippings bag onto the bed and viola–natural looking mulch (for free!).  The best news was it then proceeded to rain for 2 days–perfect for my new landscape bed.