Matata's Backyard Makeover
- Thread starter Matata
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Work continues today after the holiday break. There's a huge truck in front of the house blowing tons of dirt into the greenhouse base and planting beds. Bob & crew are starting to assemble the greenhouse -- a kit with a gazillion pieces and confusing instructions. Fuzzy pic is torn from a magazine Bob was reading and is the idea for the 2nd water feature. This one will gently cascade over rocks as opposed to the waterfall which will drop over 3 levels.
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Oh heck yeah. I could have my holy grail diamond or colored stone for the cost of this makeover. But, the garden will bring a different kind of enjoyment in a different way and I'm ready for that at this stage of my life. I keep thinking of all the jewel toned flowers I'll be able to enjoy, all the scents, all the texture, the soothing water and hum and buzz of insects, delightful notes from birdsong and it appeals to me in a homey, huggable, oasis-from-the-world way that a diamond or gemstone can't.Jambalaya|1467860045|4052372 said:Be honest...have you daydreamed about the piece of bling you could buy with your makeover money?
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Matata|1467866226|4052426 said:Oh heck yeah. I could have my holy grail diamond or colored stone for the cost of this makeover. But, the garden will bring a different kind of enjoyment in a different way and I'm ready for that at this stage of my life. I keep thinking of all the jewel toned flowers I'll be able to enjoy, all the scents, all the texture, the soothing water and hum and buzz of insects, delightful notes from birdsong and it appeals to me in a homey, huggable, oasis-from-the-world way that a diamond or gemstone can't.Jambalaya|1467860045|4052372 said:Be honest...have you daydreamed about the piece of bling you could buy with your makeover money?
How exciting Matata!!!!! I can hardly wait to see the finished yard. I completely understand how this is going to make your feel when it is finished and the years of joy this will bring you.
Every year I think about what jewelry I could buy with the money we put into landscaping but it never ever stops me from landscaping. Looking over my backyard when everything is blooming is my favorite place to be. So peaceful.
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Matata|1467866226|4052426 said:Oh heck yeah. I could have my holy grail diamond or colored stone for the cost of this makeover. But, the garden will bring a different kind of enjoyment in a different way and I'm ready for that at this stage of my life. I keep thinking of all the jewel toned flowers I'll be able to enjoy, all the scents, all the texture, the soothing water and hum and buzz of insects, delightful notes from birdsong and it appeals to me in a homey, huggable, oasis-from-the-world way that a diamond or gemstone can't.Jambalaya|1467860045|4052372 said:Be honest...have you daydreamed about the piece of bling you could buy with your makeover money?
Exactly, Matata!
The sights and sounds of the wildlife, water and flowers will bring such an incredible feeling! Every time I check back here for updates, I imagine the tranquility you'll feel when you're out in your yard. Unless, of course, your kids (Atticus, et al) decide to add some excitement to your life.
So looking forward to the final product!
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The fur brigade is staying in the catio and won't be munching their way through my garden. I'll grow them some catmint to take the sting out of their imprisonment.december-fire|1467944373|4052842 said:Every time I check back here for updates, I imagine the tranquility you'll feel when you're out in your yard. Unless, of course, your kids (Atticus, et al) decide to add some excitement to your life.
Since you mentioned Atticus, while the humans were still asleep this morning, he decided to turn the catio into a water theme park by dragging his tube into the pool and gleefully running through it. We woke up to a million wet feetie prints all through the house. We are beyond grateful that he didn't decide to drag the sopping wet tunnel into bed with us.
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Oh, my God, Matata! That's hilarious!
Those tubes are great, and I love the colours on the one Atticus has! He's a pampered guy!
I got a tube for my daughter's cats, and they think its the greatest. It has an opening, so its perfect for a cat to sit up straight with her head out to survey her empire. It also crinkles and has lights. I recently got a tube for someone else's new kitten. I couldn't find another long tube, and had to buy a shorter version (roughly three feet or so). The kitten loves it! She can hit it with her paw and send it rolling across the floor.
By the way, I think I've told you think before, but your lads are incredibly handsome.
Those tubes are great, and I love the colours on the one Atticus has! He's a pampered guy!
I got a tube for my daughter's cats, and they think its the greatest. It has an opening, so its perfect for a cat to sit up straight with her head out to survey her empire. It also crinkles and has lights. I recently got a tube for someone else's new kitten. I couldn't find another long tube, and had to buy a shorter version (roughly three feet or so). The kitten loves it! She can hit it with her paw and send it rolling across the floor.
By the way, I think I've told you think before, but your lads are incredibly handsome.
Matata|1467866226|4052426 said:Oh heck yeah. I could have my holy grail diamond or colored stone for the cost of this makeover. But, the garden will bring a different kind of enjoyment in a different way and I'm ready for that at this stage of my life. I keep thinking of all the jewel toned flowers I'll be able to enjoy, all the scents, all the texture, the soothing water and hum and buzz of insects, delightful notes from birdsong and it appeals to me in a homey, huggable, oasis-from-the-world way that a diamond or gemstone can't.Jambalaya|1467860045|4052372 said:Be honest...have you daydreamed about the piece of bling you could buy with your makeover money?
I agree! Bling is lovely, but a backyard makeover is just another form of enjoyment. I spend quite a bit of time in my yard (gardening, weeding, etc.) and I find it very relaxing
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The small water feature is partially finished and partially planted with trailing jasmine, nandina, and rhododendron. It still sits on a hillock which will be leveled out a bit and planted with sedums and other stuff. Right now I'm enjoying the soothing sound of water caressing rocks. Woooohaaaaa!
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I decided against using a boxwood hedge for the parterre border to cut down on maintenance. I know I'll suck at precision trimming. Decided to go with steel instead. They started constructing the parterre planting beds today, in 95+ degree heat, bending hot metal.
Lovinggems
Ideal_Rock
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Great progress photos Matata, this is more exciting than the bling threads.
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I got some rocks to show ya'll. Faceted by mother nature. This morning they brought a sample of the lava rock that will line the garden paths. It's formed when the molten lava is thrown into the air and cools as it falls. They're called lava bombs here in the Pacific Northwest. I love the texture and am delighted to have these home grown elements in the garden.
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Parterre has been planted with the evergreen boxwoods and zelkova tree. It's starting to look like a garden! The little variegated boxwoods at each end of the boxes will be trained into little balls and the tall forms in the center will have a poodle cut.
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Matata,
I love watching the progress of your garden!
I really like the shape of the steel in the parterre. Personally, I find the addition of metal in a garden adds interest.
Thanks for continuing to update us.
Your garden is coming along beautifully!
I love watching the progress of your garden!
I really like the shape of the steel in the parterre. Personally, I find the addition of metal in a garden adds interest.
Thanks for continuing to update us.
Your garden is coming along beautifully!
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Oh WOW!!!! I love everything!
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It's going to be so beautiful!
Gem Queen
Brilliant_Rock
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It's looking great. So you're in the middle of the state? Love your green house! You could buy big geodes and put them in the backyard with floodlights on them. that's my plan. The big ones that stand 4 or 5 feet tall. What breed is Atticus? He's gorgeous. There is a new website Called houzz.com. Like Pinterest, but for housing stuff
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These are the last pictures until we get back from vacay in 3 wks. The lava rock defining the planting beds and paths is laid and most of the dirt was blown in today although there are still 2 large areas needing dirt. I'm going to miss all the fun of the waterfall being built and plants planted. The garden will be nearly finished by the time we get home. The house sitter gets all the fun.
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Matata,
Thanks for the update! Your yard looks great!
Boy, I'd find it hard to leave for three weeks and not watch the daily progress. However, it will be very exciting to return home and see all the changes.
Perhaps your house sitter could take a few progress shots for you.
Have a wonderful vacation!
Thanks for the update! Your yard looks great!
Boy, I'd find it hard to leave for three weeks and not watch the daily progress. However, it will be very exciting to return home and see all the changes.
Perhaps your house sitter could take a few progress shots for you.
Have a wonderful vacation!
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december-fire|1468980303|4057427 said:
Thanks december-fire. I've asked the house sitter to take pics while I'm gone. I wish we could wait till I get back to do the planting but we want to be sure that all the new plants have plenty of time to grow strong roots before fall. I can start planting some fall/winter crops in the greenhouse when I get back and I'm looking forward to that.
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