Garden Project (updated July 15th)
This last Spring Vicki and I planned an ambitious garden project for the back yard. It started out as some simple rectangular raise beds but took some inspiration from more formal gardens. Eventually I drew up these plans.
A central diamond raised bed with four triangle-shaped beds separated by paths. I ordered the pressure treated 2x8's and cut them and assembled them in the garden. They were placed directly on top of the turf and once assembled and placed they formed the pattern for the project.
Vicki wanted to add a rock feature to the garden and we visited the local stone supplier. Suddenly she wanted a water feature as well. After some consideration we came back again and purchased a upright stone with hole bored down its length and a sump and a pump and some stones to cover the sump. (this is typical of this project as our imaginations got engaged we would extend the project into more complications).
We opted to haul the stone ourselves in the back of our SUV and after the store forklifted it into the back we drove it home and cruelly loaded it onto a wheel barrow and placed it perfectly on top of the sump without injuring ourselves. (These photos are from the 9th of April)
Next we bought lots of compost to fill the beds. Here are the beds with the stone in place in the middle diamond section. Some of our plants are in place as well (magnolia tree in foreground).
Another view with a rhododendron in the foreground and the paths clear of turf. These needed to be excavated deeper and then filled with sharp sand before paving.
The view from our balcony from the 5th of May.
A little later and more plants in place and the sand in the paths now. The boards are painted as well. (The following are from 7th June.)
Here much later and the project takes form. The paths are paved in brick with the corners made of cobbles embedded in cement in unique patterns that Vicki and I created. Note many more plants most of which are thriving.
Here you can see the blue pipe in the middle of the yard indicting progress on the trench to bring electricity and water from the house.
Now the water and electricity are in an the fountain works (July 15th).
A central diamond raised bed with four triangle-shaped beds separated by paths. I ordered the pressure treated 2x8's and cut them and assembled them in the garden. They were placed directly on top of the turf and once assembled and placed they formed the pattern for the project.
Vicki wanted to add a rock feature to the garden and we visited the local stone supplier. Suddenly she wanted a water feature as well. After some consideration we came back again and purchased a upright stone with hole bored down its length and a sump and a pump and some stones to cover the sump. (this is typical of this project as our imaginations got engaged we would extend the project into more complications).
We opted to haul the stone ourselves in the back of our SUV and after the store forklifted it into the back we drove it home and cruelly loaded it onto a wheel barrow and placed it perfectly on top of the sump without injuring ourselves. (These photos are from the 9th of April)
Next we bought lots of compost to fill the beds. Here are the beds with the stone in place in the middle diamond section. Some of our plants are in place as well (magnolia tree in foreground).
Another view with a rhododendron in the foreground and the paths clear of turf. These needed to be excavated deeper and then filled with sharp sand before paving.
The view from our balcony from the 5th of May.
A little later and more plants in place and the sand in the paths now. The boards are painted as well. (The following are from 7th June.)
Here much later and the project takes form. The paths are paved in brick with the corners made of cobbles embedded in cement in unique patterns that Vicki and I created. Note many more plants most of which are thriving.
Here you can see the blue pipe in the middle of the yard indicting progress on the trench to bring electricity and water from the house.
Now the water and electricity are in an the fountain works (July 15th).
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