I'm moving things.... dirt and rocks mainly.

We have been moving things. Dirt and rocks mostly as that is how things begin. This is our current project for a client. I am just so delighted that we are removing a driveway to install a garden. How cool is that? Removing what most people mow over their garden for, I feel so happy to be able to reclaim some earth and bring it back to a garden...
On that note, it's a helluva lot of work! The asphalt was removed by hand with a pry bar and sledgehammer. I pried, James smashed. Finer bits were done with a jackhammer and saw. The chunks were moved to be reused as a base for the area that is going to become the raised planter garden (next photo). Then the rocks (and dirt blend) below the asphalt were moved to top off the raised planter area. So yeah, we reduce and reuse :)

See all that sod... we made a mountain. See all that rocky soil? That's from the driveway area, and the crushed asphalt is below it.

The form is the base for a curved masonry raised planter that will be stucco'd (color choice to be determined) and capped. I just love the curved stucco bits! Here is a previous installation that includes some great curves: http://liciapots.blogspot.com/2008/07/installation-of-landscape-design.html see the completed before and after photos here
We poured the concrete today and will build the wall next. Then we have to have a couple days of perfect weather to apply the stucco as it is touchy stuff that responds to weather conditions and all kinds of things. Another thing that is cool about stucco is that it takes impressions :) I love sticking things into it.So, that is what I have been up to... in the rain. It's hard work but gotta love it. Great inspiration for jewelry design too :)

3 comments:

Linda B said...

A new format of reuse and recycling. Love it; beautiful.

Karen Gill said...

This is awesome! Thanks for the step by step view, very interesting! Can't wait to see more.

Michelle said...

so beautiful.. you are always working on the best things.. and you do an incrediable job.. I love your photos of everything.. thank you for sharing :) We are getting ready to do the retaining wall/fence in our back yard.. been thinking about you :)