Christmas has come and gone, and a new year has arrived. Now that the silly season is over, I can fill you all in on the abundance of impressive work that has been carried out at the gardens. And be very impressed people- it has been H.O.T. Scorching, unbearable, sweaty, smelly and just plain yucky work.
Yes, I hear you. We are all awesome :)
I haven't been quite as up to date as I would like. Summer isn't my fave season. At all.
We have also been quite busy making sure things got done before the Christmas carols hosted by our church. Things were busy.
Then it was time for a well deserved break. And don't forget the food. So much feasting. Sigh.
Once again, credit to my awesome hubby. He worked overtime. My washing may have tripled, but so worth it to see his hard work transform the gardens.
Take a look through the photo's for proof of the amazing transformation...
Hubby cutting pavers to complete the path from the chess board.
Beautiful work- a perfect pathway completed.
When I first started at the gardens, I found this flower alone in the middle of the grass. I managed to dig it up as it regrew even after mowing. And here it is, flowering in a 'proper' garden bed. So thrilled. It's the simple things...
Some of our awesome team, from left: Ron, Paul, Tristan, me and Mick, celebrating at the White Party, a thank you to all the volunteers :)
It's garden entrance time!!! I may whinge a bit when out of my comfort zone, but I'm learning how to construct with my man.
The framework is up, secured and painted!
Here, hubby has dug out the seating area for around the chess board.
Mick and Paul are laying a paver seating area/ retaining wall.
After some discussion, hubby agreed that this was high enough. I explained to him that if you make it too high, you limit who can sit on it. This height is perfect for kids, shorty bums like me, as well as taller humans.
And here you have it, a stunning sitting area on a giant games board, under some shady trees :)
The boys worked hard paving the garden entrance.
The paver work for the chess board seating area was an incredible team effort. Some collected and delivered pavers, some mixed cement, some assembled.
When not taking photos, I mulched my poor heat stressed side garden.
These flowers have struggled through the heat. A few days ago, they looked dead. I'm not sure if the recent rain has revived them. I have to accept that if a plant isn't hardy enough to survive in the often extreme summer heat, I can't plant it :(
After recent construction, our 3 pallets of pavers has been reduced to rubble :)
Here, my sweet toddler is dancing while her daddy attaches decorative edging.
The lattice is up, and just needs painting.
The safety rail is getting a decorative treatment too.
Daddy's little helper :)
The start of the picket fence has arrived!
Hand painting the lattice. Oh, my arms! Such hard work.
Getting there...
But not easy with poor quality wood like this. Disappointed in your stock lately Bunnings :(
More painting- and doesn't the railing now pop!
As does the garden bench.
A quick router of the edges, and this is also ready for painting.
A white picnic table-yay!
We borrowed a compressor and spray gun. Oh my goodness! We loved it so much, we purchased our own. Hand painting no more!
Well, maybe some hand painting. Thanks Paul, and our newest worker, Michael :)
We now have a white bridge and 2 white picnic settings to add to our garden.
It's picket fence time!
Considering how uneven the ground is, this job is so impressive.
Look, a white entrance! It just needs a top and beautiful planters.
I don't often feature in photo's. Thanks to hubby for taking this. I purchased a blower/vac. It is my new toy. I love how easy it is to clear pathways now. I'm hooked :)
Hubby laid some gravel up to the pavers to make an even walkway over tree roots.
At long last, these babies have flowered. Several died due to heat stress or bug attack however.
There you have it, a condensed, but still jam packed blog of amazing progress.
I am quite impressed with what I have been able to accomplish while battling the 'change of life' assault that hit me literally at the start of last year, raising a toddler, and doing uni.
I am excited for this coming year. I know what I can accomplish. I'm blown away at what my hubby and our workers can accomplish. I have also found my passion; creating a beautiful space for people to recharge in. I have plans for specific plantings that draw people in and allow them to rest, recharge and de-stress. Gardens have the ability to calm the soul.
Look forward to sharing more with you all!
Please note this is a repost from my wifes blog http://arabelleswindow.blogspot.com.au
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