Friday, June 30, 2017

Patio Project Ground Zero

On Tuesday I was flung back to reality from my first Garden Blogger's Fling. What an adventure it was touring fabulous gardens for three days around Washington DC, MD and VA with an enthusiastic crowd of like minded garden geeks. Meeting some of the people behind the lenses and computers of the best garden blogs in cyberspace was icing on the cake.

Prior to the Fling, I met up with a few long time friends from my old Gardenweb days and spent two days touring gardens in the West Chester, PA area. Five full days of garden touring is a lot even for me but I returned home full of ideas and ready to hit the ground running.

Back in February, I wrote about plans we had to install a patio at this house along with the proposal from one of the garden designers we consulted. You can read that post HERE.

Scott Hokunson of Blue Heron Landscape Design was the second designer we consulted. Both Dave and I were impressed by Scott's design process and his vision for the space. After some revisions back and forth, we ended up with an exciting design that was also surprisingly budget friendly.





At just a bit over 750 square feet, this patio with be about 50% larger than the one I had at my old house. We've chosen irregular blue stone to reflect the casual, country feel of our home. The final design does not include sitting wall A. Sitting walls were one of my wish list items. That extra rub on the Genie's lamp apparently paid off.
 
The fountain from my other house is making a comeback. You can see it just to the left of the third sitting wall. I often gaze longingly at pictures of it in my old garden. I'm so glad we made the effort to move it here.

We decided to deep six the original fire pit/fireplace idea. The precast units just weren't doing it for me and custom built was a budget buster. Instead, we will be resurrecting an existing fire pit just off the back lawn at the edge of the woods. Okay, I admit the pictures in this post require the reader to dig deep on the imagination front. But it's going to be great! Trust me.


An existing fire pit that had been overgrown by trees and saplings makes a comeback.

Speaking of tree removal, kudos to Dave for single handedly felling at least a dozen medium to large trees. Selectively removing trees opened up the space significantly. The backyard now receives a healthy dose of my favorite morning sun. Never fear though, even without these trees a large portion of our two acre lot is still heavily wooded.

Much to my delight, patio installation work finally began yesterday. Weather permitting, construction is expected to take three weeks.


Looking east from just below the deck.



Soon I will be relaxing here every night with a glass of wine. After working my ass off creating all the new gardens.



We (I mean Dave) still has to center the breezeway door and install a French door in place of the double window.



The concrete footings are for an 8' x 4' deck step that will transition French door access to patio level.
 
 
Dave had such a fabulous time installing those footings. Aren't DIY projects the best?
 
 

Imagine the mixed border I will be planting just beyond the patio. As soon as the backhoe comes along and scrapes off all the existing roots, stumps and vegetation and I spread 100 yards of topsoil I can get to it. It's going to be great!



Look at this great pile of rocks that were uncovered during excavation! Some will be incorporated into the design.
 
So we're off! Sometimes I get tired when I think about all the work that still needs to happen just to reduce the exploded bomb look back here. But I began the process with a vision for this space and am so beyond thrilled to finally see it start to come together.
 
 
~Sue~


23 comments:

  1. What an exciting project! It's going to be beautiful after you work your ass off. LOL Sometimes I feel like I worked my ass off on the yard but then I look in the mirror....Happy gardening!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha ha, Sally, I usually lose weight during garden season. Lots of hours working. Once the weather warms up, I lose my appetite somewhat.

      Delete
  2. You will love every minute, or at least 95% of 'em. Can't wait to see the new fabulous garden spaces. The sitting walls look terrific too. Summer fun and wining and dining will soon be yours. Cindy H.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a lot of work but I do enjoy the process, Cindy.

      Delete
  3. The two of you have such remarkable energy. I am tired just looking at the photos. Scott's/your plan looks great. You will love it when it is done. Now, get back to work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're not big sitters around here, Jack. Fortunately there is plenty to do around here both inside and out.

      Delete
  4. I will visit ! Looks to me that more tree removal is needed in the fire pit area. That tree in the center of the photo looks too close for comfort. Maybe my dry-western summer talking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I was looking at that tree too. If need be, we'll take it down. Dave is taking a much deserved break from tree work right now.

      Delete
  5. Congrats! Very exciting/very exhausting. I thought the same thing as KS (re: the center tree)...however like her thought of summer rain is so strange to me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It can get very dry in the summer here too. July and August are not big rain months and when we do get rain it's often quick, torrential and not beneficial.

      Delete
  6. I'm so excited that you're off and running with this project, Sue! It's going to be great (if also exhausting). I like the plan and I can't wait to see your garden emerge around the new patio but pace yourselves please! It was great to meet you in person at the Fling and I hope our paths bring us together in the future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was so happy to see the work begin, Kris. Finding a balance will be a challenge but we've got some kayaking and hiking excursions planned and those will force me out of the garden every so often. Yes, I hope our paths cross again. Maybe at the next Fling.

      Delete
  7. Can't wait to see all the changes you make! So excited for you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So nice to meet you in person at the Fling, Sue. Very impressive plans - it's going to look amazing, I'm sure. I can imagine you a featured garden on a future Fling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sorry I didn't get to say goodbye to you Sarah. We were on the second wave of buses to hit Tammy's on Sunday morning. Ha...no fling here. This garden won't be tour ready for a few years.

      Delete
  9. Wow, you are ambitious! I look forward to seeing your progress. It was great seeing you at the fling.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love your enthusiasm for what looks to be a huge project. What a fantastic garden you're dreaming up. You go, girl! It's going to be spectacular. I wish I could shake Dave's hand. What a guy. And I'm sure he thanks you for that bum shot -- some Idyll habits never die...

    ReplyDelete
  11. How exciting to create a new garden! I'm tired just thinking of all the work you'll be doing but very excited for you. Can't wait to see the marvelous things you'll do with this space! Wow, when Dave gets into gardening, he really gets into gardening:) That picture made me laugh out loud.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just found your blog. You have a nice piece of land. Gardening and landscaping is a lot of work, but I find it very rewarding. I also live in Central CT and also work in accounting. I have been landscaping (and RE-landscaping) my 1/2 acre property for about 20 years now. I just love it. It is inspiring to see what other gardeners have done; especially one with the same growing conditions. I look forward to seeing your progress. -Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Mary! I think gardening helps work out the creative side of the brain for us finance folks.

      Delete