EUREKA! Handy Andy was true to his word and worked Friday and Saturday to make up for time lost during the week...and what great progress he has made!
Stage I is completed. All the retaining walls are up with drainage included to allow water to continue on its natural pathway down the sloping landscape. The lattice fencing to keep dogs "out" and cucumbers, beans and more "up", is all in place and looking exactly as I had planned.
Stage II - the addition of the potting-shed-cum-gazebo was due to begin after the Easter break, but rumour has it that our reservoir is reaching critical levels and with the recent hot weather and lack of rain, the water company may have to take steps to ration water supplies. So, I have shifted resources to the purchase of a new water tank and will start the installation next week, when Andy returns.....
In the meantime, my next task for the garden is to consider where the much-needed topsoil will come from and how it will be removed from its current location and transported to the new garden. The terrain does not allow for any kind of mechanised earth moving, therefore, all work with be done the good, old-fashioned way, using spades and wheelbarrows! I truly hope that Handy Andy doesn't "make like Houdini" next week, I really need him to be present!
And as usual, I cannot finish without mentioning that whilst we scurry and toil, Mother Nature has put forth an epic display of new baby mangoes in the last few days, these being in addition to the already heavy load that the trees are currently groaning under - it never ceases to fill me with wonderment! And as for the seedlings, they continue to thrive (those that survived being trampled under foot by the small dog). Though the dog has managed to jumble the labels, so I am not entirely sure what's what, and may have to hold a "name that seedling" quiz in a few weeks time....
 |
| Mystery seedlings with their new "dog armour" |
 |
| YAY! The basic structure in place - the "pretty" bits will happen later. |
 |
| View from inside the garden |
 |
| Looking towards the house, with its new coat of fresh, Spring paint |
 |
| More baby mangoes emerging this week |
Oh, how wonderful! I can't wait to see how you plant this beauty out and put in the "pretty bits"!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bee Girl - I'm struggling to find some decent top soil (at an acceptable price) - my land is so very rocky with little pockets of earth here and there. The pretty bits will have to wait - I had in my head a cute, shabby chic (overused I know!), looks-like-it's-been-there-forever shed with potted flowers but just need to concentrate on growing some food first! Hope your new raised beds are coming along! x
DeleteMagnifique Yvonne! As usual, eagerly awaiting the next musing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lesaja - been a very busy week, shifting resource (financial and physical) to the problem of water gathering and storage. Have managed to complete the gravity-fed storage tanks from mains water and now need to turn my mind to rain water gathering. Have also been dealing with keeping the dogs off the verandah on muddy days, so the addition of new gates/railings...plus my first ever encounter with the dreaded TICKS! Yuckkkkkkk! x
Delete