I've been dying to share the news that we're working with my twitter friend Laura Livengood Schaub on our landscape design. We visited Laura's house during our summer trip to San Luis Obispo, and really liked her style and front yard. Laura tells the story of how we got together and posted the plan on her Facebook page. Check it out. (Spend some time on Schaubdesign's fan page - so amazing!)
We're still digesting the plan and will get back to Laura soon, but I wanted to share what I did today.
Today I felt ambitious. I'm not sure where this feeling came from, especially since we helped some friends move yesterday and I was still pretty beat from that. I'm definitely not complaining; very happy to feel "normal" again!
I decided to tear out the concrete mow strip in the back. I got about 95% of it out (ran into some not-so-happy ants in one part - I will let them regroup and go back after those 3 chunks later). I was surprised how easy it was really.
Captions above pictures
This portion will be replaced with a stepping stone walk to back under the maple tree where we'll have a nice sitting area. The days of that Agapanthus under the maple tree are numbered.
Laura's plan calls for a much smaller "low-mow" lawn. Hopefully we can train Jake to do his business on this small area. (Although during my clean up today I discovered that he always pees in the same spot. Nevermind that it takes him like 5 minutes to decided where to go...in that same spot.) While his pee spot is not in the circle, this bodes well for the Buffalo grass (or similar) that will go there since it won't have to try and live in such a harsh environment.
We let the lawn die this year, and today I trimmed it with my Troy-Bilt trimmer (which I cannot speak highly enough about!!), and raked the clippings into the center of the lawn. I rearranged the concrete strips and will continue to do so to imagine where the lawn will be.
Speaking of Jake, he cracks me up. I was ripping out the mow strip when I turned around and saw him doing this, and had to take a picture. He desires nothing more that to be around us and whatever we're doing. Pack mentality rules. Silly dog.
More work/reveal soon.
Nov 1, 2009
It begins
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19 comments:
How exciting! Thanks for sharing...
I love how you are using the concrete pieces to 'draw' the new lawn, that's exactly what I do if I can; it lets you see the shape from every angle. Once you feel like you've nailed it, you can start piling compost outside the border to prepare the planting area. Got your other comments, you guys rock; I'm on it!
Your dog looks like fun. I miss having a big dog like yours now that we have annoying toy dogs.
Can't wait to see what you two and Laura do with the garden
Looks exciting! And it's wonderful that you were able to just "let" your lawn die. I wish I could do that, but bermuda grass just doesn't politely go away like that.
Town Mouse - It IS exciting! But I must try to remind myself that the journey is the reward.
Laura - Yep, just trying to figure out which way we want to cheat it - towards the fence? Not sure yet. Chris hasn't seen it. I was just thinking about the outsides today. Probably have some sheet mulching in my future (cardboard + organic matter b/c some of the grass is still quite alive)
MBT - I do appreciate having a large dog, but I think I could also be ok with one half Jake's size (he's 120#)
queerbychoice - Totally excited here. I know what you mean about the Bermuda grass. Noxious evil weed. We had a couple swaths of it in our side lawn that we sheet mulched last October, and it still manages to pop through. I go out every week or so to pick off that which has pushed through the 6" deep mulch. Argh!
This looks great! I'm so envious of your beautiful landscape plan. We tend to garden sort of haphazardly ...
Very funny that you had a burst of energy yesterday. I had the same experience. I think that extra hour gave me the kick in the pants I needed. :-)
How exciting! What did you use to tear out the mowing strip? I need to do that in the front yard.
cool! You've got a lot of work done already. Hard work, too!
Congrats on the new plans. One step at a time. Keep us posted.
Brown Thumb Mama - I used a pick axe. Worked like a champ.
CeeCee - Always. Sharing my adventures is why I have a blog!
Can't wait to see what develops...
Really nice looking. Looking forward to seeing it progress.
Wow, it looks great. I can't wait to see the project progress.
Ralph - Thanks, the plan is amazing.
notsocrafty - Funny you said almost the EXACT same thing as Ralph!
Gosh it's nice to someone else's dead lawn! And Jake takes the cake as great gardening companion.
awesome. Can't wait to see what you do! Love the dog in the middle of it all...I can so relate!
I just love a new landscaping project. It gets the blood to pumping doesn't it? All that anticipation. I love your new circular lawn. I dig circles in landscapes. I wonder why I don't have any.~~Dee
I must admit, I love landscaping and gardening, and I can see the excitement in you in starting this plan. I just hope and I know everything will be as planned.
Let's keep our place green.
Hey there Katie...thank you for the very sweet comment you left on 'danger garden' - you made my day! Any time I can turn someone on to the joys of spiky plants I am very very happy. Good luck with your project, it looks like you are on the right track and in good hands. Oh an regarding Jake, too cute. That is exactly what our little Lila would be doing...can't be left out!
Katie~~ Those concrete chunks are FABULOUS. [I've re-purposed concrete chunks too but not the linear type, like yours.] Jake is a cutie pie, obviously dedicated to his people. Similarly, my cat seems to be a people person, right there in the thick of things. Thought I'd hop over to Laura's yard. I look forward to your progress.
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