Neill’s Garden: Part III

In Neill’s Garden: Part I and Part II my friend John and I assessed Neill’s corner lot, we designed a hardscape to support pots by the entrance, started to plant the softscape and dug out an area by the entrance to place the hardscape in.

On our next visit we picked up materials to contain the hardscape and prevent weeds form growing including: weed barrier fabric, fabric pegs, terrace board and stakes.

We also picked up the hardscape materials including: 1/4” crushed rock, 3/4” clean crushed rock and flagstones.

1/4" Crushed Rock

3/4" Clean Crushed Rock

We placed the terrace board along the edge of the hardscape dirt edge and cut it to fit. We packed down soil on both sides to stabilize it and anchored each end with a stake.

We then laid the weed barrier to fit the shape of the hardscape area. The fabric wasn’t long enough, so we  doubled it up. We then tacked it down to hold it in place.

We poured in the 1/4” crushed rock to create a base allowing the heavier materials to settle and stabilize. Next we poured the 3/4” clean crushed rock, which act as a second base to support the flagstones. The small rocks lock together allowing the flagstones to stay in place.

Next we placed the different shaped flagstones together to form the top of the hardscape. Additional 3/4” rock was added underneath each stone to level them. The flagstones were shifted back and forth to create a snug fit, which helped the 3/4” rock lock together. We repeated the process with each flagstone leaving room for the sprinkler head in lower left hand corner of hardscape.

Running out of time and materials, John and I had to return later to complete the hardscape. We poured  3/4” clean rock between the cracks of the flagstones to hold them in place. Then used our hands and fingers to push the small rock together, then put pressure on each flagstone to ensure it held its place. Once the hardscape was completed we discussed removing the nandina bamboo with Neill and discovered he had it cut to resemble his neighbor’s box hedges, so we removed it to plant a box hedge for him later.

Next time John builds a small rock garden to accent the corner of the lot and we'll plant more of the softscape.

Neill’s Garden: Part II

In Neill's Garden: Part I, John and I assessed Neill's corner lot, developed a hardscape to support a combination of pots by the entrance and selected some plants for a softscape.

John and I returned to start the hardscape and plant our selections for the softscape. First we dug  around the entrance to lay the hardscape. We had to remove the maple growing to the left of the entrance. At the time we weren't sure if the nandina bamboo to the right would be removed. We laid rope out on our previous visit to mark the edge of the hardscape with outlines representing a few flagstones.

We removed the maple by first digging around the root base. Then cut back the limbs to pull it out of the ground.

Next we dug down about four inches where the hardscape materials would lie. Since we wouldn’t complete it this day we taped off around the holes to warn others of the uneven terrain.

We started work on the softscape with the fatsia, aucuba and yew we had picked out previously.

Japanese Plum Yew - Cephalotaxus H. 'Fastigiata'

Aucuba J. 'Rozannie'

Aucuba and Fatsia Japonica

We dug holes for each plant, which measured twice the size of the pots. We added potting soil to add fertilizer and mixed it with the old soil. Then added water to settle the dirt to prevent the plants from sinking deeper into the ground.

The softscape starts to come to life. You can see the foliage on each plant adds differing textures and form.

Join us next time when we install the hardscape.