I got a yard of 3/4 inch or less gravel today, and shoveled it onto the gardens. Quite a bit went onto the new bed. It drizzled for hours today, and will probably change into snow tonight. I prefer just drizzle, but no one cares what I want.
In deference to Desert Dweller I moved the Yucca faxoniana, not as far as he suggested, but moved it nonetheless. Visitors will just have to beware of the thing. (The picture makes it look like it’s farther from the driveway than it really is.)
I also moved the three Agave parryi out of this garden; there was too much feng and not enough shui. The pots with cactus were moved from their place along the path because it’s a drag brushing against them. The little blue pot is empty, creating an air of mystery and suspense.
The new gravel, with pieces of different sizes, makes the bed look less depressing, at least to me.
I also moved the Grusonia clavata. Closer to the front walk, but it won’t reach out and grab anyone. This is the “giant form”, by the way; it’s almost twice the size of the typical species. 
Down in the laundry room, more seeds are germinating. I sowed several packets of Escobaria vivipara from Mesa Garden exactly one week ago. The seeds were surface sown (visible in the picture), misted with a sprayer, no pretreatment. They germinated last night.
Close up. I circled three germinated seeds, but forgot the one in between the two circles and the one in the corner. There’s also one to the right of the two circles. The little fuzz at the bottom is the root.
the miserable gardener 
Glad to influence! Looks better, though seeing plants moist is a part of that.
Plants drizzled on, even. I guess those week or ten day long periods of mist, drizzle and rain that we always had here, spring, summer, or autumn are a thing of the past. I was counting on the predicted rain to water in the plants, but I’ll settle for drizzling in.
Restrictions in place since Monday, watering allowed twice a week. I’m going to try to keep my watering down to a absolute minimum; newly planted plants, mostly. The dog, who likes playing in the sprinkler, will be disappointed.
Looks great, Bob–what a difference!
Thanks, I got this idea from the rock garden Kelly G. did when he was at Paulino’s. The one at Timberline, by the office, has the same effect.
I’m too old to be shoveling gravel, that’s for sure.
I am surprised to see what a difference the larger gravel bits add. Just by adding contrasting sized stones, this garden gains depth and it sets off the new little plants. The gravel looks good in the wet drizzle, of course, but the whole strip is taking shape now. I can see where you are going with it!
It is surprising what a difference non-uniformity makes. In life, too. There must be some visual-psychological thing here at work.
The next step would be a smattering of 1 1/2 inch or less river rock, leaving out any round that looks too round.
One of the reasons why the gravel looks better wet is that it comes coated with superfine grit, or sand, which gives it a whitish look. I used to wash it off with a hose, but that’s forbidden now, with watering restrictions.
Wow! The new gravel is wonderful and looks especially nice wet!
Thanks. The wet look doesn’t happen very often here.
Pushing a wheelbarrow full of gravel, with a flat tire, is kind of more work than I care for.
You were so so right about varying the size of gravel.
Yeah. Not my original idea, but it does definitely look better with various sizes.