A Big Mess in the Garden Landscape Project (many pictures)

16 years ago

If any of you are also part of the AHS e-mail robin, then you have probably read about my adventures putting in a terraced garden near my kitched door. There used to be a broken down concrete wall covered with ivey. I was going to redo it in the spring but decided to tackle it this fall instead. Since it turned into such a big do, much more than anything I had attempted so far, it was a wise decision to do it in October and get it over with. Especially as it did NOT go smoothly are there were numberous delays.

As of now, the concrete and rubble that were supposed to be hauled away last week, is still on my driveway and in back of the garage. The garden, which is the terrace work, is fortunately done. Of course it needs to be planted next spring but at least its there too put plants in.

So take a look at pictures of the mess, and I warn you it was a mess, and the result of the most ambitious idea to date.

After digging out the ivey and throwing the remains of the concrete wall on the diveway (and in back of the garage) terrace work was started. The big rock you see near the stoop on the left was in the garden were they were digging.

You can see were I had a garden up on top of the used to be wall, which garden collapsed when they started work and plants did slide down the hill. What was there originally was an ivey wall going straight accross from the steps to the wall of the garage with a perrenial garden at the foot of the wall.

Before work was even started, the first thing was to dig and transplant shrubs, roses and flowers at the base of the old ivey wall.

The landscape blocks you see were the first of four trips to get blocks to finish the project.

The new terraced gardens bring the first terrace out and enlarge the garden from what was there before so that the garden starts off as a raised garden instead of being grass level. This was terrace one and the straight wall you see the blocks starting in this picture is terrace three. There will be a terrace between these two.

Rubble in back of garage that is still there today waiting to be hauled away.

A better look at the plants falling down the hill!

Surprise. Looks better now done. You can see the stairs going up to the upstairs part of my property in this shot too and they were completely redone. Look so much better than before!

You can nicely see the bottom two rounded terraces, terrace one and two. Then you can see terrace three at the top of the straight wall were a butterfly bush and lavender clump were replanted. That section is a staight garden two feet wide and it goes about twenty feet long. The bottom terrace is about twenty three feet long as it takes in a section in front of the garage too so therefore the extra length.

At the very top the actual grade of the land on top makes the forth and final terrace.

Different angle.

Looking towards my kitchen patio.

I am standing on the stairs. The straw in the left of the shot is terrace number three and I am looking at the replanted daylilies on the top level.

I am at the very top looking down along the daylily garden which has been planted in a long row along the forth and last terrace. The messey dirt used to be lawn but soil had to be put on top of the lawn to level it to the last terrace as it used to be more slopped and is now more level. Will put lawn back next to the daylily garden.

Not done yet but need to take more pictures to show more progress. I have really had it with projects this year. Ugg!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (13)

phaltyme21
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
What a fantastic undertaking!!! How did you ever get up enough nerve to tackle this?

I can understand from your pictures how beautiful it is going to be. (Do your neighbors think you're nuts!) Unless they are too old (me) to try anything like this, I bet they will be trying to improve their yards. Do you have daylilies to share with them?

Very nice, Rita, keep us informed.

Kay
0
mizellie
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
You may not be through but you have vision. Even I can see how gorgeous it's going to be but looks like the grunt work is about to start. Not it all isn't grunt work but some is easier to take than others. Can't wait for the finish...Ellie
0
Related Discussions
big mess up on paths - question on bed now well below grade
Q
Comments (7)
Thanks for the feedback. Specifications were not in writing, sad to say. Together the architect and I went over them with the contractor. My husband intends to withhold payment of this portion of the project until we get this figured out. Pam29011 - you are so right. We have had heavy thunderstorms with torrential rains and lots of the path's rock sand whooshed away. the edging is 4" but they failed to restore the grade BEFORE they laid the path. it had gotten built up with the digging of the trench for the drainage pipes. Thankfully, I have the pics to show original, after pipes laid, after path laid. Apparently the contractor told DH that they cannot lay the path deeper without disturbing the drainage pipes. That means to me that they failed to place those pipes deep enough! Oh what a mess! Then, to top that off, the architect pointed out that they plopped the topsoil right over the compacted original clay soil and that this compacted layer needed to be tilled first. I never should have let the carpenters and their laborers to do the landscape work. They gave me a good story about how easy and quick this work would be and how we already had the bobcat rented and on site for the site work that needed to happen for the hvac location. Is this fatal? Will I not be able to grow anything due to compaction a few inches down? Now, instead of going to see our renovation with a happy spring in my step I get a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.
...See More
What would you do to landscape this mess: privacy vs pretty?
Q
Comments (7)
Hi Jen, I'm also in zone 3 in BC so I know some of the challenges. I don't think you need to choose between privacy and pretty as you can definitely have both. I wonder if you are new to zone 3 or if you understand this zone. You must have lots of deer, as we do, so you might research deer resistant plants. I'll post a link in case you haven't yet seen Freda's blog. She posts on the Cottage forum here at GW and is in a much warmer zone altho it will give you some ideas. Trying to fence out deer is costly and not always attractive so we live with them by using plants they seldom like. Deer usually don't like aromatic plants so if you use lots of that type you might be able to use some others without the deer noticing. Anyhow Freda has lots of good ideas for deer proofing on her site. When I first moved to this cold climate I joined the local gardening club and received a lot of good information about plants that grow well here. There are actually a lot of very hardy perennial plants that will do well for you and many can be grown from seed at low cost. You might use local stone as edging and for low walls and should be able to find this free in your area. This info is likely known at the garden club or just ask around, many people know where rocks are available. We're planning a day trip to find volcanic chunks to use in landscaping and already have some nice big flat stones we use in a path. For paths that need snow removal in winter you might think about using something other than grass as it won't survive long-term such treatment. We used concrete and a mold from Lee Valley and there has been almost no frost heaving over many years. For our long (500') driveway we use gravel (and refresh yearly) as it's in an area grazed by livestock so paving is not an option. Take into consideration where your water lines are as you don't want to drive over them excessively in the winter. I recommend you take a lot of pictures, measure your land and locations of natural features and buildings and make a sketch of your land, also just sit and look at various areas, look at lots of inspirational pictures so you begin to have a vision of how you want it to look and please don't cut down any trees immediately. Doesn't make any sense to cut down trees then have to plant more as they are really expensive. The trees you have are hardy and so are a very valuable part of your landscaping. Try to work with what you have and you will eventually have a very natural but enhanced landscape. Of course you will eventually remove trees but make sure you look carefully to remove the right ones. Some of the smaller trees you have would cost $100. each at the nursery so value them as such. Keep in mind that some of those large aspens (alder?) may need to be removed eventually as they tend to rot from within when they get as large as that. My DH removed one this year before it fell on our house. It probably would have lasted another couple of years but who wants to take that chance? When the woodpeckers take a great interest in that type of tree it's a sign there may be insect infestations in the rotting wood. Most of all I hope you will enjoy the process of designing your property. Take your time and it will be very worthwhile. Here is a link that might be useful: deer garden inspiration
...See More
What a mess. Project pictures.
Q
Comments (21)
Well,I dont think I have ever seen any SUGAR SNAPS AND SNOW PEAS. Guess that is northern eats. I ofund that folks in illinois didnt know what purple hull peas was, or cornbread that was not sweet, too.I was born and raised in Illinois but left there as a teenager, and only went back once since then, when my grandma passed away.But, foods we ate there when I was growing up, folks in the south had never heard of ..I just bet everything is beautiful now, like it always is after your projects are finished.I hope the daylilies keeps on blooming and dont stop after being moved.OH thats wonderful that you are getting a few nice ripe tomatoes, to eat, now.I know you will injoy them so much,mainly since you grew them yourself.Home grown tomatoes taste so much better then store bought one. I just dont like the store bought ones. I pulled 3 red ones off my patio tomatoe plants.Next year, I plan to go back to the larger tomatoes. These are ok, but, not all that big.Last year,I raised beefsteak tomatoes and a slice would cover a hamburger bun. then I planted one little tomatoe that is a little bigger then a marble, very small maters, and I got a few of them, before the deer found them and ate them all in one night.and that bush had beeen just loaded with little tomatoesAIn't gardening fun,even if it is lots ofwork. jean
...See More
Messed up my computer big-time
Q
Comments (57)
Thought I'd update. Got Windows installed without a hitch, Dell talked me through it. I debated whether to put Win 7 in since I was starting from scratch but worried some of my software might not work Everything went well except I couldn't find drivers for some things such as my wireless adapter so couldn't get on line. Called Linksys and they spent over an hour trying to get the driver in and finally did. That was the best part, finally getting on line and getting hit with a zillion MS updates. I have misplaced or lost some software. We moved here in March and I could not locate my Office disk, wireless mouse/keyboard software and a few other things, might have gotten lost in the move. I'm most concerned about Office 07. I paid for it. Dell says they can't help and I could try contacting MS and see if they would do anything. I haven't moved any of my files back yet. Otherwise, I feel like the computer runs better than when it was new. Things seem different, have to fool with fonts and views, but I'm amazed how effortlessly the machine runs. This computer always seemed to have a few 'glitches' but I was used to it. Now it seems so fast and smooth (of course there isn't much running on it yet.) I don't know how to thank everyone for all the support and help I received. You are the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks! Thanks from the bottom of my heart... Jane
...See More
okbt
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Looks fabulous!You put in some real hard work there.Great vision. Can't wait to see it all in bloom.

Betsy
0
highjack
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Made me tired just thinking of dealing with contractors. Good luck getting them to come back and pick up/dispose of the rubble. If you have paid them, you may never see them again.

Look forward to pics next year during bloom.

Brooke
0
loveofmylife680
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
It wore me out just looking at the work you have done. Great job.
Jill
0
newyorkrita
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Things look even better now but I haven't gotten to take new pictures. All the rubble in back of the garage and on my driveway was finially cleaned up and hauled away. Then I could get the leftover blocks sitting in the garden out of the way by putting them in back of the garage. I also dumped some bags of leaves in the garage alley way for mulch and its ready for winter.

If I had had more time, I would have scooped some of the dirt out of the bottom two rounded tiers and put compost in but its so late in the year that I just can't deal with it. I dumped two nice really large bags of wet leaves that I found out by the curb in the neighborhood on the second of the bottom round tiers, that should help and at least the earthworms should move in.
0
mikeandbarb
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Rita,

I tried my best to get DH to pick up some bags of leaves last weekend while we were out running around to garage sales. Guess if I want some I'll just have to go it alone LOL.

I hope to see pictures come next spring.
0
mizellie
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Rita, we have been mulching thousands of leaves a couple of times a week. Since we are surrounded by woods, we have an over abundance. Unfortunately, the moles and voles seem to like the leaves so we can't win for losing. I know your beds are going to be fantastic once the dls are in bloom..I can't wait for pics.

mikeandbarb, to bad you don't live near me..I could really fix you up with the leaf thingy...Ellie
0
newyorkrita
Original Author
16 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I am bumping up this thread as it shows the terraces being done last fall. I just posted pictures of this same garden area all planted this spring. Boy, what a big difference some green growing things, some warmer weather, and lots and lots of very hard work have made.

I notice in the picture above that shows the birdbath that I didn't even have the quarterpie garden which is around that birdbath in yet. I know that I put it in late last fall and since this was posted mid November, it had to be after that.

I did a brick edging to define the garden area and then I put some layers of newspaper on top of which I dumped bagged compost and bagged composted manure. On top of that went some of my bagged fall leaves (a nice thick pile). On the very top some matted straw just so the leaves would not blow away.

By spring it was nice and ready to plant.
0
newyorkrita
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Just to show that what started out as the bigest mess last fall is one of my nicest gardens this year. Going to be doing a small terrace wall in the front yard, maybe this week so I was thinking about this project done last fall.

And this is what it looked like in the spring after planting.
0
jean_ar
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Its is really pretty now, Rita,but how do you get plants put in the back.?Step in them beds? or can you reach them in the back? It sure looks nice.

Jean
0
newyorkrita
Original Author
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Yes, you have to walk in the beds.
0
organic_kitten
15 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I really love how it turned out, and I appreciate seeing what you had to endure to get to that place. It is lovely and a perfect home for your plants.
kay
0

A Big Mess in the Garden Landscape Project (many pictures)

Comments (13)

phaltyme21

mizellie

Related Discussions

okbt

highjack

loveofmylife680

newyorkrita
Original Author

mikeandbarb

mizellie

newyorkrita
Original Author

newyorkrita
Original Author

jean_ar

newyorkrita
Original Author

organic_kitten

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

A Big Mess in the Garden Landscape Project (many pictures)

Comments (13)

Related Discussions

newyorkritaOriginal Author

newyorkritaOriginal Author

newyorkritaOriginal Author

newyorkritaOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

newyorkrita
Original Author

newyorkrita
Original Author

newyorkrita
Original Author

newyorkrita
Original Author