This last weekend I finally got around to building the limestone path I wanted to set down past the disappearing fountain. I dug the grass out and smoothed out the surface of the pathway, then I went on a flat-limestone rock search to acquire some natural pavers. I drove up to the top of some hills back behind one of the new housing developments right near me. They always push debris into big piles to be hauled away to the dump and these are fabulous places to get some natural limestone pavers. I dug around, being careful of snakes and scorpions. Despite trying to be careful, I still almost grabbed onto a scorpion! Good thing I had thick leather gloves on. That would have ruined my day! I always try to kick over the rocks first, before I pick them up just to try and avoid such disasters. Anywho...I collected a nice pile of flat rocks and brought them back home. I then fit them snugly into the pathway by digging them into the ground a bit. Finally I purchased several bags of gravel to fill in the rest of the pathway, and Ta-da! A new limestone path:
I am very proud of myself. It took me 2 days and a lot of sweat, but I finished it all by my little self. And it only cost me the price of 6 bags of gravel and my time. It was so much more work than I imagined! Digging out the Bermuda grass was the worst part. I come up with these little projects for myself and they always seem to take longer than I envision. Oh well. It turned out nicely though, don't you think?
And look at what else I have going on:
Lettuce in a hanging basket to keep the pill bugs from eating holes in it:
The Sugar Ann peas are coming up:
It is my first attempt at peas in Austin, so I hope they continue to do well:
And the narcissus 'Texas Star'. This is the second year since I put them in. They didn't flower the first year, but they look stupendous this year:
11 comments:
Your path looks great. I know just want you mean--these projects always take longer and require more sweat equity than one expects. But it's satisfying to look at it afterward and say, "I did that!"
How satisfying to make something permanent and good looking with your own labor, Lee17. I like the idea of foiling pillbugs with a hanging lettuce basket, but wonder if my herd of squirrels would assume we'd hung up a lunch pail.
Annie at the Transplantable Rose
I love your path! I love the look of stone paths. I plan something similar set into my lawn. My version of fixing the problem my husband left when he decided the cement walkway to the garage looked crummy (4 years ago). I also like your fountain.
-Heather
You are amazing. You come up with ambitious projects and then you just do them.
They look great too.
Your path looks just perfect with the water feature beside. Will you plant it with some low growers?
Pam,
Thanks. I do love feeling accomplished! That's what it is all about ;)
Annie,
Ha! The squirrels probably would think it was a lunch pail and bust out the ranch dressing ;)
Heather,
Thanks! It really wasn't that hard, just sweaty and time consuming. And it was cheap! That is always a bonus!
Ralph,
Thanks for the wonderful compliment! I really just love to create gardens - it is really like a big piece of interactive art to me ;) I do wish I had more land - I have such grand and lofty ideas -oh well, maybe someday!
Lancashire Rose,
Thanks, and yes, there are absolutely plans for some low-growing plants in that path.
To many gardening enthusiasts, a rockery is still regarded as one of the most desirable features in any garden.
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