Another season, another project here at the Red House Garden!
This fall we decided to tackle an awkward part of the yard - a back corner of the house where the yard slopes. In order to help this area be less ugly and more usable, we chose to put in a low retaining wall.
Thanks to interlocking stones available nowadays, this project only took a couple of weekends. The hardest part was digging and laying the first layer of stones so that they were level.
A bunch of sand, interlocking stones, capstones, landscape adhesive, and two weary backs later...
Ta da!
What was previously an awkward, weedy corner of the house is now going to be my shade garden.
Ta da!
What was previously an awkward, weedy corner of the house is now going to be my shade garden.
Now I have the winter to think about how to landscape this area - though I couldn't resist browsing for my new garden at the local nursery's end of the season sale. We found a Weeping Canadian Hemlock and a 'Waterfall' Japanese Maple that just insisted on coming home with us and being planted in the new garden.
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| beautiful fall leaves of 'Waterfall' Japanese Maple |
Fall is a busy season in the garden. In addition to the rock wall, we are also working to complete our other autumn tasks: bulb planting, garden cleanup, and insulating our new greenhouse.
For as we all know, winter is coming...
and there is only so much more time before the snow hits up here in New England!
I love your new retaining wall! This is really going to set off your new shade garden. Can't wait to see it next spring, especially with that gorgeous Japanese maple! I finished bulb planting last week and am going to finish up a few garden chores today, since it's supposed to be our last good day--the polar freeze is headed here by Thursday:(
ReplyDeleteI heard about the polar freeze. Unreal! Stay warm over there!
DeleteI love it! You've made a lot of progress in a short amount of time. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I think back to our empty back yard the beginning of spring, we sure made a lot of progress this year! I think I'm ready for a break from all the projects for winter, though :)
DeleteMaking good progress in your new garden, love the wall and jealous of the greenhouse.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited about the greenhouse this winter. We are now trying to figure out how to insulate it as much as possible and at least keep the inside above freezing!
DeleteOh yes, that 'Waterfall' Maple is a keeper! Your retaining wall project looks fabulous and well worth the labor (easy for me to say, right?)! Will you come over to my house and work on one for me? ;-)
ReplyDeleteHa, I think we are both looking forward to winter so we can have a season to recover for the next project! Though we have some indoor projects to do, as well.. Oh, my poor husband! :)
DeleteI'm impressed, Indie... That's a very professional-looking wall. And I am so envious of your beautiful red greenhouse. P. x
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks! The wall turned out pretty good. It's only the slightest bit crooked, but with a few plants, nobody will know ;)
DeleteWell it is looking lovely. I especially like the greenhouse ... you will be cosy in there as the snow falls outside.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely going to enjoy it during winter!
DeleteVery smart! I love the red greenhouse too. It's very pretty.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I love the red, and it reminds us of our old red house that we loved so much!
DeleteThat maple will look stunning against the back drop of your house colour. Looking forward to seeing this projects journey.
ReplyDeleteIt's always a journey! A garden is never done, is it?
DeleteThat is one fine retaining wall! The bad thing about moving all the time is having to do that over and over...
ReplyDeleteHa, this is it for a long, long, loooong time! (Of course, I did say that last time at our last house, but this time I mean it!)
ReplyDeleteIndie that is a beautiful solution. I also have a similar sloped wall that we had built on the awkward slope at the side of our house. It was the first thing I had done after the front walk. I french drained the downspouts on both ends right into the garden and it makes for a part shady, moist planting area. Can't wait to see what you plant in this garden....love the look of the red greenhouse!
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