When we bought this house we had it inspected.it was the middle of January, and bitter cold so there was no way we could try out any of the irrigation system.
The inspector told us that the water pressure was low, but it might be due to a few things, or it might be from something else.
Guess what it turned out to be… of course.
So last fall we had the water line repaired, and yes it was really expensive. But worth every drop in the end.
We have no idea why the previous owners didn’t do something about what was a noticeable problem, they ignored the fact that the water dripped out of the shower, and also into the earth. What a waste of a precious resource, there isn’t enough water up here as it is. The late autumn repair tore up a wide strip of lawn between the towering fir trees, and the house, made a great big mess, but who cared, it was fixed. Right after that it snowed, and froze so nothing more could be done until spring. As soon as the snow started to recede, [was that only a month or so ago], I was out there raking the frozen ground trying to fix it up.
Over winter it seems that any rocks the guys try to hide underground were spit up with abandon. The earth may laugh in flowers, but it giggles in boulders. Lot’s and lots of them.
What do you do with lots of rocks? You could make a pile of boulders, try to hide them under the fir trees, line gardens with them, or build a dry stream rock garden.
So that’s what we did, it’s a work in progress, but it’s going to be really nice.
My husband, he of great strength, moved the larger rocks, toiled in the soil, and shovelled the load of river rock into place.
Am I thankful for his help, you bet, he’s amazing!
Early yesterday morning the dump truck arrived with top soil, and dropped it on the driveway then we started the fun part. The rocks were easy to place, but the soil is the bones of the garden.
Our neighbour decided we were having too much fun and helped out, the weather was cool, and beautiful. Perfect day for building a new garden. I kept teasing the fisherman in him, asking if he saw any fish yet.
It’s so exciting to look out the windows and not see the bare gash of earth that adorned the front yard for so long, but a soon to grow into it’s self, garden with rocks that will be beautiful in time.
Mostly dry shade, it’s also a hot/cold climate here, plants need to be hardy. I’ve been keeping a running list of plants that will do well under there, gathered from reading garden bloggers suggestions for great plants. Looking for those with minimum upkeep, and even less water, the ones that will survive our hot summers and cold winters.
Life hands you lemonade occasionally, and sometimes the earth giggles in boulders, and water lines get eroded… there isn’t much else you can do but shrug your shoulders.
And build a dry stream with your rocks.