Life's A Beach

Last year we built the sea wall shown in this video for a client on Lake James. The swim area near the pier has a lot of weed growth and is very mucky. We added several ton of pea gravel which was walked into the muck to help tighten up the muck.

The DNR (Department of Natural Resources) required that we obtain a permit to complete the work. For now muck and weeds are at bay and mother earth is firmer under foot.

Getting Started Cottage Style

Laying the bones of a lakeside cottage garden was on the schedule this week. Jenny and Tom recently purchased a sweet lake home and are taking their personalization outside now. They removed two big old dwarf Alberta spruce to their back lot while we transplanted the rose of sharon road side. This cottage had minimal existing landscaping and Jenny and Tom want to create a lovely English style garden, heavy on flowers and eventually stuffing the beds.

The sandy, gravelly soil conditions were not beneficial for growing but make for great drainage. After mechanically desodding the beds we tilled the original soil then added 6" of organic soil which we again tilled. The focal point of the front bed is the Japanese maple, over thirty five perennials will give this bed a quick jump next spring. Victoria blue salvia, a few cosmos, half dozen cleome and bing, bang, boom you've got a full, healthy bed.

The west side keeps our low maintenance, colorful theme going with five, pink knock out roses and a boomerang lilac (blooms all season). The Ivory Silk Lilac tree is the anchor for the southwest lakeside corner planting which Jenny and Tom will complete at their leisure. They have already planted the east side so we went ahead and mulched that as well.

Tom will be installing a white picket fence with an arbor and gate parallel to the road. That will really add to the cottage charm and roadside appeal. Down the road more lawn will come out and beds will eventually be developed along the fence.

The next project on my drawing board is this single story residence in Fort Wayne, IN. We seldom go to the Fort for work but we do have many suppliers located there, 45 odd miles to our south. The house belongs to the mother of a gentlemen whom we did work for many years ago. When we worked on his house we got along famously and have maintained a cordial if distant relationship. We had dinner together in Fort Wayne after visiting at mom's house at a place called Naked Chopsticks, great food, wonderful company and stellar conversation.

A good moment in life.

Mom's house has some large junipers which give it a dated appearance and has generally gotten a bit out of hand in a few of the beds. It should not be to difficult to bring a fresh look to the landscaping, mom's only request; a pink, flowering dogwood.

The Home Stretch

Mid September and we are already expecting a frost on Friday but the cooler temperatures are welcomed by the crew. We are on the back third of the track for our season with work steady and workers looking forward to the winter break. Fall clean up is just around the corner the leaves are showing a hint of color and the nuts are pounding our roof when the wind rocks the trees. As I walk in our yard I find piles of discarded nut shells that the squirrels drop from high up in the trees. They sit for long periods in one location as they husk their favorite treats.

Bruce is wrapping up the Allen Block on Lake James. The installation of the snap cut staircase is nearly complete, it needs cleaned and then the cracks filled with Gator Dust. Between the two sets of steps a flagstone walk has just been started. The lawn installation will be a bit delayed as we wait for the irrigation to get started.

Two new jobs will begin soon. One new construction that will likely not get completed this year. As you see from the photo's it is on a fairly steep hill. The job will contain minimal landscaping, paver patios and possibly a paver driveway.





As a second home low maintenance is a priority.

One of our long term customers on Clear Lake has decided she is ready for a complete renovation of her roadside landscaping. Getting rid of outdated railroad ties, faded concrete and old junipers will really change this house. We will be installing pavers and free standing, stacked, glacial stone walls. This motif will match the stone walls that are already existing and go well with the plethora of stone walls around Clear Lake.

The Koi were photographed at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL. My little fishes at home never get this big as predators abound in our little ecosystem, frogs, snakes and birds eat them before they ever get to the show off stage of Koi.

Chicago Botanic Garden

Chicago Jazz Festival 2011

This past Labor Day weekend was probably one of the nicest I have experienced in many years and happening upon the Chicago Jazz Festival in downtown was certainly one of the highlights. Bruce and I headed to Chicago Saturday afternoon after having spent the day at Anderson Japanese Gardens in Rockford, IL

The cityscape taken for granted by those who live there is a sight to behold when the tallest building in your county dwarfs the landscape with its massive 6 stories. Of course the architecture of Chicago is stunning with mind blowing heights and art deco styles mixed with post modern, modern and classic buildings, definitely sensory over load.

Chicago is growing and exploding with things to do. There are so many offerings it is difficult to decide what to do. Millennium Park is a modern marvel and when we cruised through at midnight it was still lively. Heading to Navy Pier for the last ride on the giant Ferris wheel was a good way to end Saturday night but we could not resist a Cheeseborger, Cheeseborger before heading back to the hotel.