The path I want to create will be bold where excitement is key and understated where I want calm. How you say? Its all in the matrix. Bold is red breeze and creamy white steps. Under-stated is stone dropped in grass. I went with red breeze on the central axis over the bridge to guide […]
Hardscape
Ideas for new paths

This is a nice tutorial on how to create a gravel path that stays in place. The big deal is the tamping and a good tamper! A natural low profile path The path found by Pam Penick on an Austin Garden Tour in 2008 has the lines I’m looking for. Here flagstone is upended to […]
A new retaining wall section

Fence guys don’t know retaining walls. The tallest part of the wall needs redone. It may last a year or more so there’s time. Wood lasted nearly 40 years in the same site, so treated wood sounds like the obvious choice. The fence guys didn’t put in any drainage and that may be contributing to […]
For under deck roof
https://www.familyhandyman.com/decks/building-a-deck/under-deck-roof/view-all Plan to space the 2×4 purlins parallel to the house and 3 ft. on center. To provide drainage, the panels should slope toward the outside edge of the deck about 1/4 in. per foot. If the span under your deck is 12 ft., for example, the purlin at the outer end of the deck […]
New fence, new challenges

Our fence really needed replaced. The old fence though was built so that light could shine through and you could see into each other’s yards. Our neighbor decided he didn’t want that kind of fence again. So now we have more shade . But new challenges mean new gardens! Here is the fence.
The Peach Tree Espalier
Originally posted on 5/15/2016. I will be planting two of my peach seedlings along a back fence. This has been a long forgotten part of the yard. But one that would lend well to small fruit trees. My seedlings are ready for their permanent home and while that part of the yard is not in […]
The new flagstone patio

After many years waiting for the cash to get the patio I knew would never get done by myself, I am quite pleased with the result. Eucevio and his son did a great job, even accommodating a move of the very heavy stone stair. Here is the before and after. Now to plan the shade […]
Garden Design – Creating Depth
Spring To-Do list 2013

Where did 2012 go? Did I just imagine it? No of course not. I did get some fun projects done over the summer, but never had time to post. I plan to do so here soon, its on my spring to do list! As usual the not so fun items from 2011/2012 lists never seem […]
The Late Summer Garden

Many big changes have taken place this summer. We removed the big green monster, a hedge that could never stay tamed. Added a new fence, and painted the small garden fence. The rock wall was rebuilt and a new garden bed was added. So here is a view of the old, the interim, and the […]