Ralph's Hardy Cacti - Construction

Construction of my cold-hardy cactus bed

	This was the garden before I started. (Mother-in-law preferred it like this!)
	First, the lawn had to go.
	Then I added a ton of 40ml stone chippings for drainage, placed a ton of topsoil on top, then 2 tons of sandstone rocks were arranged on top of that. This was done on the hottest day of the year. It was when the neighbours began to think there might just be something wrong with me!
	Then a ton of smaller stone chippings (5ml) on top
	Then another ton of topsoil
	Now we're ready for planting. Most plants I've grown from seed (Mesa Garden) over the last year or so. The larger ones in the first batch are seen here in 3L pots
	The first opuntia (cymochila) shows that it's keen to get flowering!
	The bed's filling up - I think that rose will have to go! (I'm leaving a path around the back of the bed for access, just where the rose is)
	With planting almost finished, a final layer of 5mm shingle is added, to a depth of about 4 inches (10cm)
	Just my "dry valley" or Arroyo to finish, to complete the desired effect. I dig over the soil, plant with Sempervivums, and top dress with large sandstone chippings.
	Construction finished! 12th August 2006. I'm hoping they'll have time to settle in before winter. (May would have been a better time to start)

Climate

Plant List