Time to tear up some lawn and build a critter-proof garden instead! But, being in our front yard, we wanted to build something extra pretty.
Our idea was to build a garden that looked almost like a gazebo, but with an open roof. We hit the drawing board, and this was what we came up with.
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| octagonal fenced-in garden |
We had thought to build this during spring break, not realizing just how ambitious a project this was. It ended up taking about a month to build the bulk of it.
We first built our octagonal base in the driveway.
Then came marking, digging, and filling with a paver base sand to stabilize our base. (A little child labor was very useful, too, as you can see.)
Then we built the middle base.
Lots of leveling.
We covered the bottom with wire hardware cloth to keep voles and groundhogs from digging underneath.
4x4 posts were attached at the corners with metal brackets.
Lots of pieces of wood were cut to form the sides.
At this point, our neighbors started coming around, wondering what in the world we were doing.
Time to build the roof!
Lifting the roof up was quite an adventure.
Much trigonometry was done to find all the angles and lengths to cut throughout this entire project. I wish I had written and kept all of the math in an organized fashion so someone could recreate it more easily if they wanted to.
Black landscaping fabric was stapled to the inside of the garden to make sure that soil did not seep out through any gaps.
The garden was filled with soil, and then black wire fencing was rolled out and stapled to the inside of the posts to deter the groundhogs and deer.
A little more paint, some bags of stone for the floor in the middle, a door, and viola!
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| octagonal garden |
Now we just need a good name for our new fenced-in octagonal garden.
The gazebo garden? The Octagon? Fortress of Plantitude?
Any ideas?
Happy planting!
Now I am envious. An octagon is my favourite garden shape. Our early plans included an octagonal gazebo - till we were actually living here and realised there wasn't space.
ReplyDeleteMy octagon is now a simple circle of paving (and I have an octagonal pot. Sigh)
I do worry that if we ever move, we'll have to leave it behind. That is too bad you don't have space for a little gazebo or something!
DeleteTrigonometry? I couldn't even get through pre-algebra. Good thing you've got a math husband. I can see lots of thought went into this -- the hardware cloth in the bottom, the black landscape project and it's PRETTY, too!
ReplyDeleteWe are glad it actually turned out according to plan! And actually, it's a good thing that my woodworking husband has a math wife... ;)
DeleteI thought he had his own math skills as an engineer or something? Math was not my subject. I can balance a checkbook but algebra? Beyond me.
DeleteHe's a computer engineer, so I'm sure he could figure it out. I was a math teacher, though, so he finds it easier to have me do the work, ha!
DeleteI am so impressed! Practical AND beautiful, no wonder the neighbors were curious. I'm envious that you have a handy husband and a math brain. ;) So what are you planting in there?
ReplyDeleteSo far I've got a variety of things that I don't want the critters to eat, such as lilies and veggies. It's a mix!
Deleteoh wow this is amazing! Congratulations to this beautiful addition to your front yard :-) I actually wanted this, just smaller and covered in screen for my orchid collection, but it never happened for me. I am glad you have yours now :-)
ReplyDeleteThat would be lovely for an orchid collection! I am excited that now I have a place to grow some species lilies that I had been wanting.
DeleteThat looks great! Wish I had one. And I like the Superman reference.
ReplyDeleteThank you! That's our favorite name, but kind of long to call it that on a regular basis...
DeleteWow! What a project. It's fabulous. I don't know how you get those cuts so perfect even with the trig. What is life without a project? I look forward to see your planting ideas.
ReplyDeleteWe did a lot of cutting lengths on the long side and then recutting them to make sure they fit! There was lots of recutting, ha! I have less of a plan for planting, though I have some species lilies in there now with some more annual things.
DeleteThis is so impressive, not to say inspired! I have been racking my brains trying to figure out an attractive structure that will allow me to keep deer away from things like asiatic lilies and phlox. You've provided the answer! Too bad it won't fit in my teeny tiny back yard, but what a terrific solution.
ReplyDeleteIt's 12 feet in diameter, though it could be scaled down smaller. We are lucky that we had enough lawn to tear up for this!
DeleteLooks great! Whats the planting plan for i there?
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a definite plan yet. I have some species lilies in there as well as some more unusual veggies and other things at the moment. It's a mix!
DeleteHow lovely; you did a superb job. I am looking forward to seeing it planted!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I have a hodgepodge of things in there now. I am excited to grow some things that the critters would surely eat if not protected.
DeleteThis is really stunning! I've always wanted a gazebo but in my little urban garden, I'm not willing to give up the planting space. You've come up with an idea that would allow both the structure and retain planting space. Very clever indeed! You've thought of ways to keep all the pests away too! Fortress of Plantitude made me laugh out loud.
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked the name! It's our favorite name, but rather long to say.
DeleteThat is so cool!! I love it! Super creative!
ReplyDelete