So this weekend we finished the gravel section of the patio remodel. The idea was to make a tertiary, kind of funky fire pit area with an inner and outer core of gravel and flagstone. We'll add some chairs at a later date -- I'm thinking maybe some bright red adirondack chairs around the fire pit, plus a few colorful, large urns here and there?
The rest of this section of the yard will now be filled in by bark and drought-tolerant plants, which will be the most fun phase of things to create, since I can coordinate colorful plantings that will add some softness and some bright spots to what would otherwise be a very earth-toned landscape.
So the next stop will be the nursery. I will be buying the smallest plants possible, knowing they will jump in growth over the next few years. So many people want things to look mature right away in terms of their landscape, but I'm content to wait until little plants grow.
And then this project will be finished! We really can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sure something new will pop up which we need to attend to sooner or later. But the major remodeling/landscaping phase of owning this home will be finished and we can finally put our feet up and enjoy it.
It looks so good! I love the way Californians can use gravel. Here it would be so gross and muddy most of the time. I love the sound it makes (when it's dry and doesn't slosh mud on your ankle). And so agree with you on small plants. Lower stakes in transplanting and the root to plant ratio is in your favor. The red chairs will look fabulous! I could also see blue, either a soft atmospheric blue or a more saturated darker blue, also looking fantastic with those colors! Easy for me to say as a spectator, but this patio has come together so quickly! I'm sure it feels great to be at the tail end going into the holidays. Nice to not have shoveling gravel hanging over your head.
ReplyDeleteIt was what I was dreading the most, but it went quickly so was easier than I thought. Glad you like it, it's sort of bare-bones right now but will definitely serve as a scaffold for some color and texture with urns and plants. It's exciting!
DeleteIt looks great! I too like watching things grow. It's so satisfying to see & to think that you helped make it mature.
ReplyDeleteThanks, we're really happy to see it looking good AND to see the hard part done!
DeleteI have just spent the most enjoyable little while scrolling backwards here and getting a feel for the place. I like it, and I intend to stay. The fact that you have a new gravel patio is added incentive. (Seriously ... I clicked here from a link on Stephen's blog roll, and I am SO glad that I did.) It's always wonderful to find a sincere, and entertaining, way to waste time online. Great to 'meet' you.
ReplyDeleteConnie
Welcome Hartwood Roses! I shall have to check out your blog, too. Any friend of Stephen Andrews is already a friend of mine. Yes, that gravel patio is wonderful, it uses no water and won't die, unlike our previous lawn in that spot. And I'm kind of getting into the zen of raking it smooth, like the ones in the Japanese gardens. Nice to meet you!!
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