2013: Summer of Renovation Projects- The Edible Garden and Stained Glass Progress

Upright  rosemary hides the base of the new plumeria, visually anchoring the corner

I've always been a sucker for handsome fella's with baby blue eyes. So you know I fell for Coda from the moment he first stared over the fence. Every move , the whole summer, the Husky watched over me. 

Hardscape materials were coordinated based on charm factor- texture, tonality and durability

Coda watched the split-level space which the wild had reclaimed from a formal vegetable area. The space was cut back slightly, leveled and tamed. The sprinkler lines needed to be re-routed before I tested my muscle against the largest blocks within the allen +roth Luxura Country Manor garden block collection from Lowe's. Weighing in at 57 lbs apiece- this project proved I am in darn good shape for a woman of any age or profession. 

The walkway was leftover pavers from a long-ago driveway project. Each block was lifted, cleaned and re-leveled on landscaping cloth over compacted sand. 

The manufactured cobbles were picked up at Armstrong's in La Habra.  Coming in square foot sheets, these are a blessing of easy installation.

The overhead trellis and outline of planting pockets are the last projects before the edible garden is christened.

Instead of construction gravel- whose size would have been difficult to manage into the cracks between the walkway, color-coordinated aquarium gravel from Petsmart was  swept into all the joints of the hardscape. 

Gerry refurbished an old garden bench. I helped with the easy part- scrubbing and painting the ironwork. He didn't cut down an oak tree to make the planks. But pretty close. 

Why go to all this trouble? Each of these benches first lived with our respective sets of parents. You can't buy that sort of memories. 

He hand selected red oak from the lumber forest at Reel Lumber in Anaheim. Split and planed the planks. Routed and sanded. Custom blended a stain and then sealed under coats of spar varnish.  The marine-grade fittings were hunted down at the Home Depot. 

Bench in forlorn state of disrepair

 If that doesn't sound impressive- this second bench - currently almost ready to put back into service - this is pretty much the condition of the one now holding court in the almost finished edible garden. 

Jim Shore rooster guards one entry point to the garden against intruders of the critter kind

Along the way, there were  unanticipated challenges. Newly built steps to construct the garden proved not just convenient for people. They provide a bunny breezeway to where my granddaughter's favorite new food- carrots- will be grown.  The solution was found by building nests of succulents topped off with Jim Shore garden ornaments.  

Jim Shore chicken ornament blocks bunny-traffic

 As a new grandmother, I am naturally drawn to dropping more whimsy into the garden. 

My granddaughter may not even be able to walk when she will learn what fun it is to pull bright vegetables fresh from tilled earth.  That is as it should be.

Coda went back to college with his human partner this week. If we are fortunate- the edible garden area will be operational when they return for the holidays. 

In the mean time, the insert for the new dutch door is coming close to being ready for installation.  This glass-work of mine and woodworking expertise of my husband is proving a good partnership. 

Window detail 

Solar lit- "Ethel's Garden"- a tribute to my late mother is installed in my shed.

Until we meet again- Thank YOU for all you do to make the world more beautiful.