So yesterday there were two posts that showed up on my blog. Arghhhh! This one entitled Creating a French Garden in the Southwest Extending The Patio and how I created a container garden using blue pots. Day 30 Two Posts in One Day Again
Alas the goof was not mine this time. So, another “new” post will show up later today.
I share my thoughts on what I really learned while writing this series on Thursday.
Extending The Patio
A few months ago our family moved into a new home. Throughout the heat of the summer the backyard remained a barren, dusty parcel of land.
The temperatures are now finally starting to decrease here in Phoenix (mid 80’s) which means that our desire to venture outside has increased. But not to view this:
Of course to even get out to the yard is a grand fete! In the kitchen is the doorway that leads out to our teeny tiny patio. The small slab of concrete barely holds our table and four chairs. I had to stand in the middle of the kitchen to take this shot.
So before we can dream about:
Alluring alyssum
Lovely lavender.
Radiant roses
Day 30 Two Posts in One Day Again
The patio needed to be extended for a bit of breathing room.
This is truly back breaking work.
Arizona is famous for it’s Caliche soil. It’s rock hard and takes forever to dig out.
Mr. Décor created a soil sifter with 2 x 4’s and metal grating to help sift out any good soil. There wasn’t much.
There were also massive roots to contend with.
After many hours the area was ready.
Various patterns were first tried out on the computer and then laid out on the grass.
We had to come up with a way to combine pavers with the existing brick lined beds.
Future Garden Ideas
I think we have found a favorite design but you’ll have to stay tuned.
Now I was not just standing around taking pictures during all this hard work. I was working in another area of the yard creating a vegetable garden. Alas I did not create the portable potager I dreamed about HERE.
I spoke with a few master gardeners and was informed that I would be lucky if wooden boxes would even last a season in our extreme weather. But I think my take on portable gardening will be pretty.
We already had all of the blue pots so I am giving it a go. You can read the complete post HERE.
What projects did you work on over the weekend?
Laura
Pas toujours très simple de réaliser quelque chose de très sympathique lorsque l'endroit est restreint ! Cependant je suis certaine qu'avec toutes vos merveilleuses idées vous allez réussir.
Gros bisous et un grand merci pour cette jolie publication… Bon courage également à ces deux grands travailleurs !
Wow!! That is one big root!!!! We bought our new house from an investor … so the grass back yard just had rock thrown over it (and I know that you know that isn't the right way) — so now that it is cooler, the boy and hubby are gonna be out there shoveling rocks!! Fun times!! 🙂
I love all of your blue pots and they will be fabulous for the garden. The patio extension looks amazing. Can't wait to see it all done. Hugs, Marty
You've got some beautiful inspiration pictures, Laura! I can't wait to see future posts on this project. We had ivy at one time and that seemed to do just fine on its own crawling up and over things {and attaching itself}. I'm sure there must be other plants out there that do the same thing on their own.
I think it is great that you have a clean slate to create a back yard that is you. Love the wooden box garden, hope they hold up!
I think that you can safely put a few small nails into the concrete wall and use wire between them to train a vine….would love to see the raised beds for the potager made of pallete boards….they are often set out for trash at some businesses…free…!
wow, your in for a task! but with your beautiful inspirations Laura and your creativity, I'm sure this are will bloom beautifully in time! Good luck! I was busy dancing at a cousins wedding over the weekend. 🙂
Good for you getting a great start! It's gonna be lovely 🙂
Anticipation is making us all smile! It's going to ROCK, whatever the Decor fam has done!