"One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it brings."

Monday, February 21, 2011

Fence posts are in!

We were able to get much more accomplished than I thought we would today.  According to the forecast this was going to be the last dry day for awhile and then it looks like we'll probably see some snow for a few days.  Now I don't mind if it snows since we still have next weekend to finish.  My husband dug all 12 post holes by hand since we had to be careful of cable lines that we knew were near by.  (Make sure you have all utilities marked before you dig, otherwise you could make an expensive mistake.)  Luckily they were marked correctly and we never found any as we dug.

 There was lots of measuring done between the sidewalk and from post to post so that it will be evenly spaced.  Good thing my husband was in charge of that part because I get too excited to get everything done and forget about spacing.

 Just setting the posts in the holes was exciting to have an idea of how it would look.

 Here are those same posts set in concrete.  At this point we did lots of leveling to be sure the posts were in straight.

 We'll be putting two more posts in on the walkway to the house.  They will be installed with special brackets and screws that go right through the concrete.

 The two tall posts will become an arbor and a gate.  Our yard slopes downhill to the left as you're looking at the house which made getting things even a little tricky.

The fun part of hanging the picket panels and getting the soil in the beds and around the fence will hopefully happen next weekend if the weather cooperates.
The Great Backyard Bird Count finished today, but we really didn't have a day to spend much time counting which is too bad since there were a lot of birds out today.  I didn't get a chance to take any pictures either.  We only had about 15 minutes each day to really count which is the minimum time, but we'll still turn our results in.   There weren't any unusual birds for our area and as I predicted we saw lots of American Robins.  I'll try to put our count up sometime this week. Pin It

43 comments:

  1. Cathrine, it is amazing how your front yard make-over is coming along! You have accomplished sooo... much! The raised beds are looking very nice and I can imagine the fence in front of them will be gorgeous, too, when it is completed. Good luck for finishing this big project!

    Here is the link to my own blog:
    http://organicgardendreams.com

    Christina

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  2. It looks like things are progressing very nicely! It's going to look great, Catherine! I can't wait to see all you plant.

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  3. Look at all that progress! Looks awesome!

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  4. You guys are working hard and accomplishing a lot! How exciting! It is a wonderful design and will look super when finished...can't wait!

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  5. It really feels like SPRING following all the hard work that is going on there in your front yard..That is one thing that I have missed for over the last 2 years.. is not being able to get outside and work in the yard.. so I will keep an eye on yours..
    thanks for sharing.
    Will

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  6. I'm really getting the idea of what you're after - it will be beautiful!

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  7. You are making very fast progress, I really like what you're doing, you must feel so satisfied seeing your plan come together. your beds are deeper than I expected, they look great. I realise that the feed to your blog always arrives almost a day late to me (what happened to fast communication?). hope the weather co-operates. Enjoy! Christina
    www.myhesperidesgarden.wordpress.com

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  8. Yes, Catherine, now I understand the path you cut through the bed. It's a very exciting remodel, and it looks fantastic from every angle. Each of your photos made it look better and better. What will you be planting in the raised beds?

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  9. This is looking better and better! I can now imagine how it will look with the fence panels hung and the gate on. Do you have any kind of special gate planned? Will everything be wooden? I'm dying to see it with the arbor. I'm so excited for you!

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  10. This exciting project of yours is really beginning to shine, Catherine. It's looking wonderful already and has given your entrance a brand new look! I am really enjoying watching all the progress - it's so exciting! Your husband is a very talented handyman (mine is, too!) and you quite obviously have a natural leaning towards design :)

    I can't wait to see the next phase and once it's all finished, I think you're going to be blown away by how good it looks and how well everything works and has come together! Once your plants are in and flourishing...WOW!!!

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  11. If you blink you'll miss some progress at your place! Fast and fabulous work here!!!! Are you going to paint the fence?

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  13. It is looking good enough to start planting now. Hope you have a bumper crop of vegetables!

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  14. I can't wait to see all of the beautiful plants you are going to put in the raised beds.

    The fence and arbor are really going to change the whole look of your home. It will be lovely!

    Eileen

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  15. What busy bees you all are and what you are doing to your front yard is wonderful. I'd be excited too if it was mine, and can feel your excitement all the way down here. Thank you for sharing your project.

    FlowerLady

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  16. Catherine, I haven't had much time lately to visit your blog, but seeing these photos this morning has me so excited for you. You are a mighty lucky gardener. And a talented gardener. Can't wait to see what blooms in those beds. Good luck with the remaining work.

    donna

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  17. How nice with those post and picketfence, is it cedar ? Unfortunately we can't by proper wood in Denmark unless you are a registred builder...Or you need to pay astronomic prices.
    Henrik

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  18. this is going to be so beautiful...I have a picket fence and just love it...as well as gates and pergolas....you can do so much with a picket fence...the suspense is killing me waiting to see the pickets go up...I know the sloping issue...we had that too and it was fun to deal with...

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  19. That will look great when you have it all complete! I hope to be working on a similar project before too long. The deer have had way too many nibbles on my veggies!

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  20. This is so exciting to watch! I love the way you've documented the progress. The female gravel truck driver ROCKS!! Looking forward to this weekend ;)

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  21. Thanks for all of your encouragement on this project. It's been fun being able to share it with others who know how this type of job can actually be fun (well except for the moving of the sod :) )

    Sherry - The raised beds will mostly be vegetables and herbs, but I plan to plant lots of cottagey flowers and shrubs in the bed around the picket fence.

    Alison - I think the gate will probably just be pickets, but I hadn't thought about it being different... might have to put more thought into it. It is all wood, we decided against pvc even though the wood will be more upkeep.

    Darla - We're going to paint it white, but depending on the weather it may be another month or two. We may paint the beds a color too, but not sure.

    Henrik - It is cedar, it's expensive here but should hold up pretty well. The beds are made of untreated cedar so we can grow food in them.

    Dave - Can't wait to see what you'll do, I'm sure it'll be great.

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  22. I love the new beds and can't wait to see the finished product. I will be keeping up on this.

    Luis

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  23. Looks great! You guys are just going to town on your project! One of these days I hope to drive up that way and see it when it is all done.

    Yours,
    Kay

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  24. You are making such progress and I am most impressed all of this is taking course in the winter months! You are my hero today! I become such a hermit in the winter months when I too could be out creating something beautiful. I cannot wait to see the fence in place and then in the summer months with the planters full of beautiful goodies!

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  25. So awesome! It's really starting to take shape...can't wait to see it when it's all done!

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  26. It is going to be spectacular. I can't wait to see it all in bloom.

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  27. I can see I am very much missing having some "muscle" in my garden. What a difference it makes. Your project is progressing at warp speed. You'll have the fence up, painted and plants in the ground before I get here again!!

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  28. You certainly are working industriously on the front yard. I can't wait to see the after. Do the neighbours think you are putting up a fortress with all the pickets? LOL. V

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  29. It will be terrific when it is all completed. It is a labour of love and I am glad to see it all second-hand without the labour! :) I've enjoyed your blog for some time and would like to present you with One Lovely Blog Award. Please visit here to accept.

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  30. It is really taking shape. It is going to be so awesome Catherine. I love your idea for an arbor gate.

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  31. Hi Catherine, The front yard is going to looking amazing. You are giving me ideas for my front yard.

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  32. Catherine, The fence posts add lots to the hardscape and design of your yard. Here at Gardens at Waters East you might have seen the old fence post that were used to breakup the gardens. The post both here and at your home add a good vertical dimension to the space. I think you have done a good job. It will be nice to see the finished product (as if a gardener is ever really finished - don't we all know that!). Also I like the top cut on the post. Nice. Jack

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  33. Wow Catherine, it's really coming together. I love the posts. It's looking fabulous.

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  34. Wow - it's really giving your garden great "curb appeal" already. It looks wonderful!

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  35. I'm bursting with pride for you---what an incredible job. Love that that there will be an arch of sorts entering your property. You have a great vision and your hubby is extra handy.

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  36. Wow how exciting! What a difference from the last post already!

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  37. Hi dear,

    I know how you feel. It is SO exciting and when you love a place you can easily visualize how it will look dripping in vines and banked in flowers. Wonderful. I cried when we started putting up our wall and gates. I was so excited and knew it would change my gardening life. I mean, WHO wants to see a grubby gardener in a nightgown every morning?

    Sending love,

    Sharon Lovejoy Writes from Sunflower House and a Little Green Island

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  38. This is really coming along quickly. I am thoroughly impressed with what you have accomplished in such a short period of time. You really area a great example, showing people that if you put your mind to it and are determined you can accomplish anything. Your pictures are wonderful documentation and I just can't wait to see it this summer! Great job to you and to all your helpers!

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  39. "Remodeling" in the garden means a lot of work, but the end results are so worth the effort! Can't wait to see your end result. So far, so good! It looks wonderful! ~~Rhonda

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  40. Catherine, I can't believe how much you have gotten done in a short amount of time. What an amazing transformation! Like everyone else, I'm excited to see more as this project progresses. I hope when it's all done, or maybe next summer, you'll do a summary post that shows the whole progression from before, through stages of the project, to the finished landscaping. -Jean

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  41. Oh, Catherine, the raised beds look wonderful! as do the posts. You have to be giddy about the progress. I can already see your vegetables. ;)

    We are supposed to dip into the teens here tonight; hope you are staying warm.

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  42. I can't wait to see the finished work! I like the idea where you have an arbor in front.

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