Boggy Garden

Can you imagine never being able to walk out into your back yard to barbecue, garden, or simply relax? These clients were not able to use their back yard in twenty years because it was so wet. It's boggy, with the remnants of what used to be a stream running off to the side.

Several problems existed. Because of the wetness, most of the existing plant material was dead. The client attempted to build a rockery herself to stabilize a hillside. She was accurate in her assessment that the hillside needed terracing. Finally, the deck needed replacement with a material that would withstand years of abuse and above average amounts of moisture. And, they needed a place to go in their yard that was dry.

We are having an unusual year in 2005. January through March were absolutely beautiful. There was sun every day; I thought I was back in California and that it was springtime. (They were getting all of our rain.) We worked on a plan which included a new rockery, a large patio with a fire pit, a viewing area of the creek surrounded by irises and a new deck for the back. We designed the backyard with bog plants. We signed off on the paperwork and started working. A new rockery was quickly installed and then& the rains came.

Rain can be problematic. It creates slippery slopes which wheelbarrows and bobcats can't get up and down for safety reasons. Even with gravel, the slope was still too steep and slippery. But, what we learned from the continual rain every day was that drainage was needed at the base of the slope, where the patio would meet the bottom of the hill.

We added drainage to the plan, installed it and began working on the patio. By this time, the rains had slowed and we were able to grade the patio area, lay our base bed for the stone and we began moving material down the hill.

The patio is enormous. About 45 feet long and 28 feet wide at its widest point, it includes two sets of stone stairs for access to the rest of the yard. With some leftover stone we made a simple pathway to the existing shed. Small plinths were installed so the stream could be seen with dry feet.

With a fire pit for evening warmth, the patio is meant to be enjoyed at any time. And with a convenience kitchen just inside the sliding door off the patio, dinner outside is a snap.

Was it worth it? My clients love it. New patio furniture is in the works and a summer of quiet, warm evenings outside is now a reality.

View Past Projects
Craftsman Renovation
No Grass!
Modern Garden
The Rockery
Cottage Garden
Roof Garden
Native Mix Garden
Woodland Garden