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As I stared at that ugly, ugly bus for the past twenty some years, the only thoughts and vision I had was to extend the lawn by simply raking the area planting grass seed...
However, reality set in when I saw the damage to the immediate area and adjoining lawn caused by the dozer and bus as we pushed it it to its new location. It was a mess, to say the least!
After carefully assessing the situation, I came to the conclusion that it would be easier to patch the scars in the lawn and cover the bare dirt where the bus sat with garden bark, adding a small path, bench and just a few special plants. I thought that I might even add a small water feature, just for fun! Inexpensive, quick and easy.... Yep! That's all I want to do!
I began doing the prep work in early February. The billdozer seriously gouged the lawn area all along the right edge, making a simple rake and re-seed impossible, so I removed the damaged sod and extended the area that was to be barked. There were literally tons of rocks to remove, and the roots from dozens of salmon berries and black berries to dig out. Suddenly, my simple project was turning into actual work!
The soil that was directly under the bus was in terrible shape due to the lack of light and water for so many years, so I dragged out my trusty sifter to remove debris and amend the soil by adding some compost and sand. A few larger boulders took considerable digging and effort to remove, and left large craters in their absence. One of these craters eventually grew to four feet in diameter and three feet deep! Sigh.... What have I gotten myself into this time????
March 11, 2006
To be continued.....
From: Cedar Hill, WA | Registered: Feb 2004
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quote: One of these craters eventually grew to four feet in diameter and three feet deep!
Sounds like a pond in the making to me, Bill!
That surely is a lot of hard work! Can't wait to see the glorious results!
bbbbbbbbb Lynne's knitting journal "I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"
From: Rockland County, NY | Registered: Nov 2003
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When I first showed you the bus and subsequent photos of the naked ground, several members suggested that a small pond or waterfall would look nice in the space. However, I already have several ponds down yonder and three "waterfall" type water features around the gardens, so I decided that I needed something a little different at the bus stop. I did a lot of searching and shopping to find a thingy that seemed right....
I found a Roman style urn that I liked for the fountain but I wasn't sure of what would look right for the reservoir until I discovered some Roman stack stone at my favorite rock store. I used the stack stone to create a six foot circle which I lined with heavy rubber pond liner. The urn was set on blocks to lift it above the rim of the circle. The water circulates via a 400gph submersible pump.
Unfortunately, electric pumps require electricity to run, and I was already very tired of digging so for the first time ever I decided to allow someone to help me with some of the work involved in creating one of my gardens. I sent a message to a Gnome who lives in the Cedar grove just south of Cedar Hill, and Digger Don agreed to help me out...
It didn't take long for Digger Don to dig the fifty feet of trench from the power supply to the pump, so I had him continue beyond that point to where I had decided to add a street lamp to the garden. Somehow, my simple plan seems to be turning into much more of a project than I ever anticipated...
At this point, my addiction to buying plants was beginning to haunt me, and I began to add a couple shrubs and flowers to the Bus Stop. (55 tall Bearded Iris, a couple Rhododendrons, a Goldenchain tree, a dwarf Forsythia....) I also came across a gazing ball and antique concrete planter that begged to be part of this garden.
I began using the hundreds of excavated rocks as a wall so that I could create different levels of raised beds throughout the garden, and in a moment of weakness I hit the nurseries again.... (a couple more Rhododendrons, 10 assorted Heucheras, a spiral Arborvitae, some Junipers, a Golden Fir...)
March 24, 2006
So much for my plans of keeping this project SIMPLE!!
To be continued.....
From: Cedar Hill, WA | Registered: Feb 2004
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posted
Before I'm done, you will be able to see closeups of most of the plants and hardscape features!
From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
Love seeing it all come together. Cannot wait for more!
bbbbbbbbb We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart.
From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004
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quote:Originally posted by weezie13: Patients Grasshopper...Patients... When it is time to snatch the pepple from Bill's hand, it will be time for you to see...
I am declaring it time to snatch the pebble!
bbbbbbbbb Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car!
Registered: Mar 2004
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I honestly don't think you handle seeing any more than you already have!!! Be good Cindy!
From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002
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, cant wait to see more Bill ![[shocked]](graemlins/shock.gif)
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