future veggie garden and greenhouse
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play structure under trees, to left of pool
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It’s great having the play structure under trees. The only disadvantage of the tree cover is that it gets pretty webby without regular blasts from a hose.
view from patio, looking right
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View from patio, looking left
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In between the gate and first post, the flagstone in d.g. path will begin (right off the patio) and end in the new flagstone sitting area for the oval teak table. To the far left (up against the fence) will be flowerbeds. Beds will pretty much be around the entire perimeter so I can “disappear” the fence. To the right of the first post, picture sod. Instant lawn. Can’t wait. Well, I have waited… 9 years! My little boy, who isn’t so little anymore, is finally getting grass to play on, and cushy bark or rubber mulch under his play structure (which he will outgrow in the next 5 minutes).
View of Pool and Patio Cover (Under Construction)
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This shot was taken in late afternoon. You can see how much wonderful shade the trees provide later in the day. You can also see the partially constructed patio cover. When finished, it’ll have a sort of wraparound, multi-level quality. The as-yet-unbuilt section will be a little higher. Paint, which isn’t finished, is a blue and navajo white combo. Oh, and see how the round patio section just outside the future French doors (aka 6′ slider) slopes weirdly? It’s a little exaggerated because I used a wide-angle lens, but not much. I still have to figure out a new use for the space. Firepit? Hmmm… probably not a good idea under a wood patio cover. Lounge chairs or Adirondack chairs maybe? Ooh, maybe those really cool Sky Chairs you see every year at the fair and that I saw again at the S.F. Flower & Garden Show!
Will Somebody Pinch Me?
Things are actually running ahead of schedule. Clearing and cleanup begin on Thursday of this week! My job is to water the back so the soil is more workable and to dig up the sad little citrus trees and rose bushes I planted in desperation, before the irrigation went in. My tomatoes are in half-barrels this year, so they’re safe.
One thing I’ve been going back-and-forth on is lawn edging. Landscape companies like to use extruded concrete mow strips because they’re fast, easy and economical. There’s hi-lo, flat and wedge-shaped. I’d prefer a more natural edging material, like cobble or brick, but have to admit that a hi-lo mow strip is pretty practical. The low side provides a nice level footing for mower wheels and the high side helps hold in bark and mounded soil. Still, I know I’ll never get that timeless garden look with a visible extruded concrete mow strip. Since budget is an issue, it’s really hard to ignore the extruded strip’s practicality.
The manager on the job made a suggestion that helped me to feel more ok about the mow strip– we’ll tint it a natural brown or tan color. It’s easy enough for them to add color and it’ll only add about $50. I appreciated his suggestion.
He’s also going to show me some samples of recycled rubber mulch (which also comes in different colors) as an alternative to playground bark under our son’s play structure. My son wanted sand, so I had to provide him with the image of his play area being used as a giant kitty litter box. With that image, he’s less opposed to bark. The rubber stuff might be best.
Re: flagstone
We’re going with flagstone in d.g. (decomposed granite) for a smallish sitting area featuring an oval teak table (from Costco, btw). The pieces are to be large and with narrow spaces between the flagstone pieces. In another area of the yard, 4′ x 10′ (probably) vegetable beds will be surrounded by crushed rock in a similar color (peachy/purpley/buff tones).
More later…
