Three Down Around the Lakes

We did wrap up in Timber Bay and I must say the patio, bench, stone walls and steps are magnificent, truly the work of talented and skilled individuals.  Working with all natural stone requires patience, an analytical brain, strong back and an eye for detail.  Stone masons have been highly sought after since man first put chisel to rock.  The warmth of the rocks, the enduring beauty and changing patina of the stone make flagstone the timeless, classic choice for a patio.

The job on Lake James concluded last week as well.  We used erosion fabric on nearly the entire yard since the customers are not able to water as often as we would like, the fabric holds the moisture well and now is an ideal time to seed in northeast Indiana.  The large wall along the roadside is designed basically like a huge planter, the arborvitae hedge will grow together and provide a good screen for the house from the busy road.

Because we are building a color themed rock wall and steps on another house on Lake James I went hunting for a very specific rock today.  The rock needed to be around 3.5' x 32" x 15", dark blue and flat on both sides and by golly I found it at the first gravel pit I went to Hansen Aggregates in Angola.
So I thought I would share the journey of the 2,036 pound behemoth.  Next stop for the bugger is as a giant step into the lake.

My trip around the gravel pit was more like being in a lunar scape the boulder field is on the far edge of the pit and provides a good view into the bowel of the operation.  Shopping for rocks is always a trip.

Welcome to 2012 Landscaping Season

Transitioning from the Caribbean to northeast Indiana in February is tough, taking measurements outside is a challenge with frequent winds, freezing rain and mud. Fighting the elements trying to keep the paper dry and my self upright while wearing heavy boots, Carhart overalls, stocking cap and thick gloves is not my idea of a good time but a girls got to do what a girls got to do.
My first project this year will contribute to the delightful transformation that has already taken place on a hill over looking Crooked Lake. An outdated lake cottage on a killer piece of dirt has been replaced by this outstanding, modern, cozy retreat. The property has been in a state of neglect for several years so some much needed TLC on the nearly one acre site is long overdue.








Since there is much to do and a lot of ground to cover this project will likely occur in phases. When acquiring a new property it is advantageous if you can live and play there a bit to access your outdoor living needs over the course of time. Of course the most immediate projects such as foundation planting, parking areas, lawn and walkways should be first on your list.

Getting to know your ground whether it is 10,000 square feet or three acres is part of the landscaping adventure and process. This location has some projects that can wait and some that we are planning to fix temporarily for purely aesthetic value. It is not necessary to get it all done at once if you have patience and want to space out your expenditures. Actually we enjoy working on the multiple year projects with our clients as it gives us opportunity to watch our creations develop.
The second house on my list this year is another lake house for a Millgrove Landscaping frequent flyer. The house large and the lot is small so we will need to be especially creative in plant selection and size to nestle this new beauty seamlessly into its surroundings. We have a bit of hardscaping with rock walls, steps and walks to install as well.