The Way We Do The Things We Do

We are more than one third through the season and each week brings new challenges and accomplishments.  Actually we wrapped three jobs this week one that I sold but never even had time to see installed so I will try and get to that job next week for photographs.  One of the highlights of my week was taking pictures of the great Amaryllis collection next door to a job we were working.  There are doubles, singles and variegated blooms that take your breath with their beauty.

Our weather is still a crazy hot streak and we officially have been in draught for three weeks.  Lawns without irrigation are completely burned out .  Several grass fires have kept local fire departments busy and there is currently a no burn ordinance in much of our state.


The tune featured here is from UB40 a British group that I love, they do a lot of cover songs and I think they often perform them better than the original versions.

Mobile Nursery

Theresa was the first to notice the chirping under the side rails on our truck 101.  Turns out a tiny wren had built a nest in a most unusual location and we could not get the nest out.  Mother bird goes in and out in less than a 1/2" opening.  You need to listen carefully to hear them singing.  We kept the truck back at the shop hoping for a happy ending but I fear that has alluded us.

The Merger

We are well underway with work  at an old friends new house on Clear Lake and I am fortunate enough to be given creative license on the project.   What was actually an error in ordering pavers turned into  much needed additional patio space by adding just a little over 45 square feet where we merged the paver walk from the lake, patio and snap cut stairs with the porch entrance.  I am certain everyone will enjoy the extra space and I suspect occasionally they might use the portable grill on the lower patio.

The top patio will feature a full circle nearly nine feet in diameter.  This system is Paverlock and is manufactured in Cincinnati, OH our local distributor is in Kendallville, IN which is about 30 minutes south.  We are  still installing block and pavers made at the Reading Rock plant more than any of the other lines we represent.  They have a solid product line and middle of the road pricing. We enjoy supporting the smaller operations and companies.

The landscaping installation around a customers garage is complete although we are waiting on approval from the local landscaping ordinance inspector, we may need to install two trees to be in compliance.  Installing the trees is not a problem but the fact that no irrigation exists and our client is not always able to water makes success tentative.

On Jimmerson Lake we finished the hardscape and installed all the large trees and plants.  The natural stone walkways and fine beach area make this landscaping a sure winner.  We are waiting on the irrigator (or as one customer says irritator) then we will be able to complete the installation.  Hopefully that will be part of our schedule this week.  The customers are anxious.

Poodle Crazy

This week was scolding hot on Monday (Memorial Day) and Tuesday, over 90 degrees the high yesterday barely reached 50 with steady wind and drizzle.  Walking the dogs I spied this red wing blackbird singing  despite the crummy weather.

Our customer on Jimmerson Lake was happy to see the delivery of the green material after being in the house for a few weeks with no yard or landscaping.  We nearly have all the hard scape finished;  snap cut stairs, natural stone steppers, tiling the downspouts out the lake and building the seating wall and beach.  I think the beach will be a big hit.

Jamie and home owner Renee first clean then plant a mugo pine.

Theresa is lost in the foliage of a Japanese Maple while unloading the box truck.


Two sisters share the responsibility for choosing the plant material with my guidance.  The man of the house enjoys trimming so this installation has more specimen plants than we normally use.  We have not put in three ball poodles since we did Caruso's restaurant a few years ago, I like them.  It is a win win situation providing the  minimal look they want with clean simplicity.

A couple of the other jobs we recently finished are looking fine.  The lawn is filling in between the flagstone pieces of the walk on Crooked Lake, they have mowed the grass several times.

Another job on Crooked Lake got a new look when Colby Claus installed the new fire pit top and grill top.  We all love the new look.