Design

Gallery

# 13

Solving a Narrow-Space Problem:

Drainage, Stone Wall, Brick Patio, Plantings

This photo is taken from the back door. We are digging in with the backhoe to find out where there is ledge, which defines how far we can go with a patio. The picture on the right shows even better how little space there is. It also makes clear why there is a drainage problem.

Several steps further: we excavated, exposed the ledge and ripped some off as far as possible, and then installed a retaining wall along the line of the ledge. The patio area is excavated, but some ledge (see red markings) is still too high and will have to be cut out.

Separate drainpipes A) for the gutters and surface drainage and B) for drainage under the brick patio are istalled. The base of crushed stone can go in.

Here one of the chunks of ledge is cut in a way that the brick can be installed against it.

The sand layer has been installed and the area is screeded to the correct height. Now the brick can be laid.

Along the curving wall and ledge, every brick has to be cut to size. This photo makes clear why there had to be a small corner cut out of the ledge (see photo above).

The brick has been istalled. Now the garden path has to be finished and then the soil can be worked to prepare for planting. Note the rock that we dug up during excavation - we found a good place for it.

Wall, patio, ledge and garden path are all finished and the planting has been started. It consists of dwarf conifers and dwarf flowering shrubs, as well as some  low growing perennials. In the background are stakes that define locations for further plants: A white birch for some light shade will be added, as well as a number of flowering shrubs.

The next step (Spring 08): refining the terrace with low growing, cushion forming or spreading perennials (rock garden style).

Sculpting with

Stone

Painting with

Flowers

Other

 Artwork

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