The stone walls for the new garden area are finished. Finally.
As ever, I found myself using all the choice pieces in the beginning which left me scratching around as I neared the end. Earlier rock rejects suddenly got back on the agenda and needed to be placed, it's a simple equation of choice versus scarce resource, but then it's always like that, given enough trial and error the result looks good.
This truck made six deliveries yesterday afternoon. Each time depositing about a metre and a half cubed of topsoil. Enough I say, begone.
It's no fun barrowing it into the new bed. I admired its crumbly friability at first, but back ache took the gloss of that.
See the mini mountain. Eight cubic metres in total and a real job of work, but worth it in the end of course.
I'll finish moving it tomorrow before the weather turns cold. MeteoFrance are promising a Grand Froid from tomorrow onwards. A big chill hatched in Russia feeding its way on an easterly all the way to the Atlantic coast. No thanks, Brrrrrrr.
It's been awhile since I had a chance to visit your blog. I enjoyed going back over your last posts to see what's been happening. I love this stone bed! Looks like a lot of work, but now you'll have the fun of planting it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, planting will be fun alright but it's a big 'ol space.
DeleteRob,
ReplyDeleteAll this work will pay off big time. I can't hardly wait to see it two years from now.
Thanks Randy, I should have done this in the Autumn, I reckon planting at that time of year almost 'buys' a year. But you're right, It'll take two years to really mature.
DeleteHow is your back? Yes, as Randy says, all this work will pay off for you big time. What are you planning to plant?
ReplyDeleteThe back aches. I suppose it's good exercise though. The plant list is to be decided. I'll post that when I arrive at something more final.
DeleteThe new beds look great and wow! that is a lot of dirt. By the time you've finished you will have earned a well-deserved break!
ReplyDeleteSweetbay thanks. A break makes a lot of sense after shifting the mini mountain.
DeleteThe wall looks great and I'm looking forward to seeing your plantings.
ReplyDeleteTake it from someone who's moved several dump truck loads of soil: be prepared for it to settle and probably needing more next year (hence the several loads).
Paula Thanks. I'm sure there'll be some settlement, but I'll be ready to shift some more next year if needs must.
DeleteThat dirt looks good from here. It's a sensitive subject but I got in about 20 meters for the lawn here. But it was full of weeds, and in particular broom. We have spent the summer dealing with a lawn that wanted to become a forest. A nightmare. (the 'soil' cost about 600 euro - which I assume is cheap compared with your prices in France - but am interested to know what you pay)
ReplyDeleteToil on the barrow seems tough. But it's mentally restful at least.
Now I see you are getting that long overdue winter blast. Best wishes from the southern hemisphere summer. The best in many years. Kerry
Kerry I paid 39 euro a metre cubed. In all honesty I reckon this stuff will be full of weed seed, but as long as there's nothing too tricky to remove (though there well may be) I'll just crack on and get weeding I guess. Ah Summer weather, lucky you.
DeleteI don't envy you the work Rob but it looks really good.
ReplyDeleteHermes thanks. I don't blame you, nothing to envy there!
DeleteLooks like very hard work to me, and yes it is freezing here today. Keep up the good work it is going to look great. Diane
ReplyDeleteIt's cold here. MeteoFrance have issued a warning for cold in the east of France. Sub zero temps and strong winds!
DeleteAmazing job, Rob. I can't imagine tackling all that labor alone. The stone is absolutely beautiful. What a color!
ReplyDeleteThanks James. I love the colour of the stone too. Luckily I can find it just about everywhere so that when I need a little more, a search in the fields usually yields a few pieces.
DeleteLooks absolutely wonderful. My husband and I have done two walls and it is backbreaking. Choosing the right stone for the right place is the hardest though.
ReplyDeletePatty you're spot on, placing it is the hardest part.
DeleteWell, your muscles must be looking good :-) The beds look stunning. Nice blank canvas.
ReplyDeleteDiscovered muscles I didn't know I had.
DeleteLooking forward to seeing the garden bed finshed. I am sure it will be beautiful.
ReplyDeleteErika
Thanks Erica
DeleteIt'll take a couple of years to establish fully.
Great job! My back aches for you :-) The fresh beds full of wonderful soil are mouth-watering. Like a great slice of chocolate cake. Have fun filling them with new plants!
ReplyDeleteChocolate cake it is! The fun begins in March, once the sharp frosts are out of the way.
DeleteVery nice (if painful) job. Will you use this for veg or just flowers?
ReplyDeleteHi Gloria, this'll be planted up with perennials.
DeleteRob you are now the recipient of the Versatile Blogger Award! http://bit.ly/yhCUbI Hooray!
ReplyDeletePatty thanks for thinking of me.
DeleteYes, a gardener is nothing without a project and this is quite a project! I can hardly wait for next year's photos. And yes, I envy you. Your spot is what I call a "great place to work"!
ReplyDeleteChristiane
Aus dem Gartl
Hi Christiane and thanks.
DeleteI agree, it's good to have a project to get my teeth into.
How are things with the current cold weather in Austria? I hope all is well.
Rob, you look like a man possessed - now where have I seen that look before? :) The stone wall looks great - you must be excited at the thought of planting it up. The big chill from Siberia has been making itself known here for a few days but has been fortunately not as severe as it has been in Eastern Europe. Stay indoors this weekend, put your feet up and let your arms enjoy some more restful pastimes!
ReplyDeleteHi Anna
DeleteYou may have a bit of snow according to weather forecast. Looks like we'll have a sprinkling tonight. It has not got above freezing here for three days now and looks unlikely that the temperature will get into positive territory until later next week. This is a really rare event down here.
Rob, I do envy your talent and strength! Gorgeous stone work!! I look forward to seeing the garden grow.
ReplyDeleteThese stone walls would look beautiful after it's done. I imagine it would look like The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. All your efforts would turn out amazing! Can you please share some photos after it's done? I'm excited to see the outcome.
ReplyDelete