Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
CONNIE SHARES HER GARDEN PROJECT
Updates:
So, I was on an airplane to Montreal in early September, reading my bought-for-the-flight magazines. Flipping through the pages, then: there, staring back at me, was Rob Steiner, the landscape architect who helped us design the front yard microfarm. In the Sept issue of Martha Stewart's Living. A whole article on Rob and his amazing home landscaping. Wow. Who knew? Big thanks to Rob for advising us and drawing up a plan for such a small project, even though he's such a busy and sought after guy. (http://www.robsteinergardens.com/index.htm)
So, I was on an airplane to Montreal in early September, reading my bought-for-the-flight magazines. Flipping through the pages, then: there, staring back at me, was Rob Steiner, the landscape architect who helped us design the front yard microfarm. In the Sept issue of Martha Stewart's Living. A whole article on Rob and his amazing home landscaping. Wow. Who knew? Big thanks to Rob for advising us and drawing up a plan for such a small project, even though he's such a busy and sought after guy. (http://www.robsteinergardens.com/index.htm)
We've been busy. The jewel of a fence that Matt Norton built for us is stunning. (Matt's company is All Grain Carpentry, 818-287-1114, allgraincarpentry@gmail.com: Rob Steiner uses Matt, and referred him to us.) Matt used epi wood from Brazil, and I love the way he thoughtfully arranged the boards to show off the beautiful grain patterns to their best advantage. The wood plugs over the screws add that finished handsome detail. I would totally recommend this master carpenter.
Freddy Chic (323-807-0565) is an amazing man of all trades. He can do anything. He completed the wider sidewalks, making a short retaining wall with the broken pieces of the old sidewalk. Freddy then created a retaining wall and poured a small cement patio in the corner. He is in the process of building another fence above the retaining wall to enclose the patio. We'll eventually put a bench there, for Keith to sit on and smoke his cigars while I toil in the garden. I like the idea of having a place to sit out front in this friendly neighborhood.
Freddy has also painted the shed and the trim on the front of the house, fixing some old rotted boards as he went along. Cleaned out the gutters and painted them. And I had Freddy do some plumbing and repairs inside the house as well. Like I said, this guy can do anything, and I highly recommend his services. I know that he has worked for many other people here in Mt Washington, and they all have nothing but great things to say about him.
So. Where are we now?
I hope to have the front yard rototilled, and then Conor's boxes installed. (http://www.minifarmbox.com) After the boxes are in, I want Tim Tarbell to do the drip irrigation, and plant a fruit tree by the shed. I also want to put some fruit trees in the back yard. Then it's getting the horse manure, green sand, and (Anna, what was the 3rd thing?) to layer in the boxes.
Freddy Chic (323-807-0565) is an amazing man of all trades. He can do anything. He completed the wider sidewalks, making a short retaining wall with the broken pieces of the old sidewalk. Freddy then created a retaining wall and poured a small cement patio in the corner. He is in the process of building another fence above the retaining wall to enclose the patio. We'll eventually put a bench there, for Keith to sit on and smoke his cigars while I toil in the garden. I like the idea of having a place to sit out front in this friendly neighborhood.
Freddy has also painted the shed and the trim on the front of the house, fixing some old rotted boards as he went along. Cleaned out the gutters and painted them. And I had Freddy do some plumbing and repairs inside the house as well. Like I said, this guy can do anything, and I highly recommend his services. I know that he has worked for many other people here in Mt Washington, and they all have nothing but great things to say about him.
So. Where are we now?
I hope to have the front yard rototilled, and then Conor's boxes installed. (http://www.minifarmbox.com) After the boxes are in, I want Tim Tarbell to do the drip irrigation, and plant a fruit tree by the shed. I also want to put some fruit trees in the back yard. Then it's getting the horse manure, green sand, and (Anna, what was the 3rd thing?) to layer in the boxes.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
FINALLY... A DESIGNER...
A good thing happened, a small miracle… a talented, high-end landscape designer, Rob Steiner, agreed to plan out Connie’s garden! Great help, since the hard part is visualizing the layout, and there’s nothing like expert advice to propel a small community project like this. We spent a couple of hours with Rob and he suggested taking out one of the larger ornamental plum trees to bring in more sunlight and make more room for raised beds. From his layout plan you can see he was able to fit in six boxes and a space for compost. The right hand side will get the most sun light, so think heat loving plants like tomato, pepper, and eggplant (great color combination as well). A custom-made, screening fence will be built close to the house and doubling as support for beans, cucumbers, or tomatoes. The left hand side will be shaded by the remaining plum tree and can be planted with lettuce, arugula and similar plants that will otherwise tend to wilt in the hot summer sun.
A flower and herb area will line the street side and will provide a fragrant barrier. The concrete walkway will be redone to align with the front yard and the broken corner of the driveway corner fixed.
Our local organic master gardener Tim Tarbell is taking on the task of pruning the vegetation on the lower end of the plot and laying out the irrigation system, including a pipe that will be placed under the walkway. Once the framework for the garden is in place… there will be a lot of excited gardeners in Connie’s front yard! Honk if you drive by. Just kidding.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Changing the World... one yard at the time!
Connie and Keith's front lawn is our first project. On a Saturday morning in April, we started measuring and planning for this edible make-over... with lots of help from our friends, especially Ocean Love, age three! Since the front lawn is right on the street, we will have to consider ways to shield the garden from traffic and from unwanted dogs, cats, and critters.
Leveling somewhat the lower part of the lawn and building a small retaining wall will help to keep more water around the plants. The two ornamental trees will be pruned and thinned out so that more sunshine can come in. Some of the vegetation at the left side of the house will be taken out to allow more room for vegetables. We will be calling local landscapers to help us and advise us on the general structure of the garden, and how to bring it all together esthetically.
On Connie and Keith's wish list are a new pathway and a fence in front of the right, first floor window, for privacy.
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