Willy World: Episode #21... Hardscaping The Bus Stop

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Topic: Episode #21... Hardscaping The Bus Stop

Wild Willy
Garden Gnome
Member # 1936

posted

The further misadventures of Wild Willy, the Hillbilly Gardener

Episode #21... Hardscaping The Bus Stop
It takes Bits and Pieces to Build a Bus Stop!

March 25, 2006

As usual, when I started this project, I had no idea of what I was doing or how the Bus Stop would look when finished. The shape was basically determined by the damage done to the lawn while moving the bus on the east side and the driveway on the west.
I built a winding path up through the center. I drilled and spiked 1" black poly pipe in place to define the edges of the path, and then spread 3,700 pounds of crushed terra cotta as the paving.

I dug a circular hole 2 feet deep and 4 1/2 feet diameter, then laid 5 courses of Roman Stack Stone around the rim. This reservoir was then lined with heavy rubber pond liner. The fountain urn is 24" in diameter and is 22" tall. It stands on a 12" x 12" stone pedestal. The water circulates via a 400gph submersible pump.
The fountain head adjusts to several patterns, but this is the flow I chose.
The fountain structure.

I brought a very large burl from another garden in and added a new burl that I found in the woods.

In the very center of it all, I put together a 250 piece, 7' diameter jigsaw puzzle.

On one of my trips to the nursery, I spotted a "must have" gazing ball and stand. It sits directly in front of the bus bench.

I added a large stone pot planted with Thread-branch Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera), another "Glow in the Dark" gazing ball,

and a smaller stone pot, planted with English Daisies (Bellis perennis).

The bus stop could be illuminated at night by this reproduction of a French street lamp, but I opted for black light rather than white... for effect!

The fountain is illuminated at night as well...

So that you won't get bored while you're sitting there, waiting for the bus, I added a 200 watt, 8 speaker, sattelite radio stereo sound system. [Embarrassed]

To be continued.....

Posts: 175 | From: Cedar Hill, WA | Registered: Feb 2004 | Logged: 69.33.97.176

afgreyparrot
Official Problem Child
Member # 1991

posted

Sweeeeet!!!!!!

Thank you, Bill!
I've been waiting patiently for this! [grin]

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Buckle up! It makes it harder for the aliens to suck you out of your car!

Posts: 43285 | Registered: Mar 2004 | Logged: 70.35.241.223

Wild Willy
Garden Gnome
Member # 1936

posted

I suppose that I should mention the residents of the Bus Stop as well.....

It wouldn't really be a Bus Stop if there weren't a few pigeons hanging around, would it?

To take care of bugs and slugs, a toad named Dude moved in beneath one of the Junipers.

Puffin mostly just hangs out....

Leonard and Leslie are here to keep the peace, but its always nice to know that your Guardian Angel is close by just in case!

Personally.... I'm kind of attracted to that pretty little Pixie named Rose....

To be continued.....

The further misadventures of Wild Willy, the Hillbilly Gardener

Posts: 175 | From: Cedar Hill, WA | Registered: Feb 2004 | Logged: 69.33.97.176

Jiffymouse
guests

posted

my patience has been well rewarded! thank you!!

Logged: 69.41.96.224

Wild Willy
Garden Gnome
Member # 1936

posted

June 1, 2006

Posts: 175 | From: Cedar Hill, WA | Registered: Feb 2004 | Logged: 69.33.97.176

netty
Super Gardener
Member # 5851

posted

That is gorgeous!! Well worth the wait I'd say!!

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Posts: 757 | From: Ontario | Registered: Jun 2005 | Logged: 165.154.18.172

loz
guests

posted

WOW! It's amazing! [shocked]

Logged: 70.106.33.152

penny in ontario
Garden Pro!
Member # 6783

posted

Looks great Bill....well done!!!

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Posts: 30858 | From: Ontario | Registered: Sep 2005 | Logged: 65.94.159.38

Triss
Garden Pro!
Member # 3367

posted

Beautiful!

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We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart.

Posts: 30076 | From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004 | Logged: 66.235.45.83

kyrsyan
Gardener
Member # 9366

posted

Oh that looks absolutely stunning! And such wonderful ideas. Thank you for sharing.

Kim

Posts: 3 | From: Tennessee | Registered: May 2006 | Logged: 65.6.20.43

slredmond
Dream Gardener
Member # 6650

posted

Wow - looks absolutely terrific. I'm sure you're enjoying this view a heck of a lot more than the old bus!! I like how you turned that 20 year experience into a new theme to use!

Posts: 239 | From: SW Michigan | Registered: Aug 2005 | Logged: 207.69.139.7

penny in ontario
Garden Pro!
Member # 6783

posted

I keep going back to have a peek...love it!!!

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Posts: 30858 | From: Ontario | Registered: Sep 2005 | Logged: 65.94.159.38

gardenmom32210
guests

posted

Way to Go,Bill [clappy]

That is Fabulous!

Logged: 24.129.86.170

Xetox
Great Gardener
Member # 8853

posted

Greeat job.........someday, someday I will have enought space for all that [Wink]

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I hate those dang rabbits [Smile]

Posts: 59 | From: Kansas | Registered: Apr 2006 | Logged: 63.167.53.20

loz
guests

posted

Just think really soon Patty can be sitting right there on that bench! [clappy]

(psssst, wish I could too) [Eek!]

Logged: 70.16.166.206

Dixie Angel
Garden Pro!
Member # 4001

posted

That is simply beautiful, Bill! Want to come landscape a couple of spots for me?

Dianna

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Posts: 5795 | From: SC | Registered: Nov 2004 | Logged: 216.218.118.66

Wrennie
Garden Pro!
Member # 8750

posted

Funny Dianna, I was just thinking the exact same thing.
[Big Grin]

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Summer Camp '07, July 14th weekend, won't you join us?

summer camp thread 1, 2, 3,4

Posts: 7588 | From: Phoenicia, NY | Registered: Apr 2006 | Logged: 66.217.178.118

slredmond
Dream Gardener
Member # 6650

posted

Wow! Tell us how you did the walkway. Did you dig it out first? Did you use landscaping fabric underneath? I assume that is rock?

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Sandy R.

Posts: 239 | From: SW Michigan | Registered: Aug 2005 | Logged: 12.1.219.253

Wild Willy
Garden Gnome
Member # 1936

posted

quote:
Originally posted by slredmond:
Wow! Tell us how you did the walkway. Did you dig it out first? Did you use landscaping fabric underneath? I assume that is rock?

I dug up the entire Bus Stop to try and get all the roots from the perennial weeds (blackberries, salmon berries, Bracken)

I used leftover tar paper rather than weed fabric.... because I had it! I drilled the poly pipe frame and spiked it in place with 10" nails through the paper and filled the 1" framing with 3,800# of the terra cotta colored crushed rock. (100# bags)

A few blackberries have tried to grow through the tar paper barrier and rock, but I'm sure they will be easily handled as they appear.

[grin]

Posts: 175 | From: Cedar Hill, WA | Registered: Feb 2004 | Logged: 69.33.97.176

slredmond
Dream Gardener
Member # 6650

posted

Thanks! It looks terrific. So - when are

scheduled to come do my yard?!?!

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Sandy R.

Posts: 239 | From: SW Michigan | Registered: Aug 2005 | Logged: 207.69.137.206

Bill
The Garden Helper
Member # 1

posted

quote:
Originally posted by slredmond:
Thanks! It looks terrific. So - when are scheduled to come do my yard?!?!

.... as soon as I fulfill the 17 requests for Hummingbird Houses that already came in! [Big Grin]

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Posts: 11227 | From: Cedar Hill Washington | Registered: Aug 2002 | Logged: 69.33.97.176

Triss
Garden Pro!
Member # 3367

posted

Oh man, I hope I am on that list.

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We are all under the same stars... therefore we are never far apart.

Posts: 30076 | From: Washington, the state that is... | Registered: Aug 2004 | Logged: 66.235.45.83

loz
guests

posted

Ooooo, I asked a long, long time ago! [grin]

You can come here and landscape my yard anyday Bill!

Logged: 70.109.80.117

Tonya
Garden Pro!
Member # 9000

posted

I want to come visit!! [tears]

I just live so flippin' far away! [Mad]

BTW Willy...did you know that both links for the burls are the same? It is gorgeous and I enjoyed seeing it twice, but would like to see the other one as well.... [Embarrassed]

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Bote and Babe's World

Posts: 11806 | From: Holden Beach, NC | Registered: May 2006 | Logged: 38.119.116.66

Wild Willy
Garden Gnome
Member # 1936

posted

quote:
Originally posted by Tonya:
BTW Willy...did you know that both links for the burls are the same? It is gorgeous and I enjoyed seeing it twice, but would like to see the other one as well....

Whoops!

Posts: 175 | From: Cedar Hill, WA | Registered: Feb 2004 | Logged: 69.33.97.176

slredmond
Dream Gardener
Member # 6650

posted

OK - Sounds like you have a VERY busy schedule ahead of you, what with landscaping everybody's yard from coast to coast!

[Big Grin]

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Sandy R.

Posts: 239 | From: SW Michigan | Registered: Aug 2005 | Logged: 12.1.219.253

Tonya
Garden Pro!
Member # 9000

posted

Thanks Bill!

I like this one better than the other one! The moss gives it more character! [clappy]

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Bote and Babe's World

Posts: 11806 | From: Holden Beach, NC | Registered: May 2006 | Logged: 38.119.116.66

Wild Willy
Garden Gnome
Member # 1936

posted

Unfortunately, I don't expect the moss to survive these hot temperatures... [tears]

The moss burl is between 75 and 100 years old. It is 11"in diameter and 27" tall.

The big burl is 400 years old. It is 34"in diameter and 38" tall. It has a lot more character when you see it in person.

Posts: 175 | From: Cedar Hill, WA | Registered: Feb 2004 | Logged: 69.33.97.176

Tonya
Garden Pro!
Member # 9000

posted

I'll send ya some of my moss... [grin]

They are sooo cool!

Hopefully in the next few years, Doug and I can get a road trip planned and come for a visit...I have seen so many pics from others' visits and here in Wild Willy's area... *sigh* I need a bigger yard!! [Big Grin]

:

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Bote and Babe's World

Posts: 11806 | From: Holden Beach, NC | Registered: May 2006 | Logged: 38.119.116.66

sibyl
Garden Pro!
Member # 2417

posted

looks great! very peaceful,
thats one big burl! those are so cool lookin,

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Posts: 5109 | From: p.a zone-6a | Registered: May 2004 | Logged: 65.162.208.68

Shirley4
Garden Pro!
Member # 11309

posted

That is really beautiful! I would love to be sitting there!

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Some hearts, like evening primroses, open more beautifully in the shadows of life.

Shirley's Secret Room

Posts: 9518 | From: Cincinnati Ohio | Registered: Nov 2006 | Logged: 71.72.206.5

Shirley4
Garden Pro!
Member # 11309

posted

Are there any more episodes past #21 by Wild Willy? If not when are more coming??!! I love reading his stories and adventures!!!! Please!!

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Some hearts, like evening primroses, open more beautifully in the shadows of life.

Shirley's Secret Room

Posts: 9518 | From: Cincinnati Ohio | Registered: Nov 2006 | Logged: 71.72.204.28

datazmom
Great Gardener
Member # 11853

posted

That bus stop looks nice . The bench looks like a nice place to stop and set a spell . Looks like you really have some nice land to work . I need a yard the size of yours . Boy could I have fun with that . LOL .

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Successful gardening begins with trial and error and ends with dirty knees .
Happy Gardening !!!!!

Posts: 85 | From: Oklahoma , USA | Registered: Mar 2007 | Logged: 70.233.169.55

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