Wednesday, May 10, 2006

The green, green grass of home ....

... at least we hope it will be. Having spent nearly 3 years with scarcely a blade of green grass in the garden due to drought and water restrictions, we decided that enough sacrifice was enough. Over the past week and a half the front and side lawns have been rotary hoed, raked twice, dug up again for the watering system, raked and levelled, spread with 7 cubic metres of topsoil, levelled, raked, cultivated, raked twice, tamped down, and finally sprayed with seed, fertiliser and mulch, in that order. Now it's all a pretty turquoise colour, which we hope in a few weeks will be replaced by a healthy green. Can't wait to start that mower!

I might add that contractors did the rotary hoeing, the watering system and the spraying of the seed. Richard and I did all the rest - and now we need a rest. I guess we'll just sit and watch the grass grow now.

Waiting for the 'dead' grass to die.



Ripped up.



Limed and ready for raking.

Inground watering - at last.

10 cubic metres of topsoil. We spread 7 of them in one day. The 'shy one' is hiding behind the heap.

Almost finished.

Replacing the paving stones.

Spraying on the seed, fertiliser and mulch.



Finished. Posted by Picasa

18 comments:

Boxwood Cottage said...

OMG Alice! So much work! Well you really deserve a rest now! I truly admire your handiwork! Hopefully the result will be as you've wished to reward you for the hard work! You and your hubby are true gardeners, that's for sure!

Boxwood Cottage said...

P.S.: The red leafed trees are looking amazing against the blue sky!

Peggy said...

wow, you must be exhausted! What a beautiful yard you are going to have to go with your beautiful flower gardens.

Cookie said...

You wont know yourself with an inground watering system...I have one and its so efficient. Its going to look great when the grass is up and running. Good Job!

Susie said...

What a huge job! The grass will be a perfect addition to your lovely garden area!

Judy Birmingham said...

Can't wait to see all the grass! It will be a lovely place to walk!

Judypatooote said...

It looks like you must have a lot of land.....and from pictures you showed before, you have a beautiful garden......and I don't know how you do it all......it is nice to have someone to work with you on such a project......can't wait to see all the grass come up, and i'm sure you will post us a picture.....now go and REST, both of you........

WendyAs said...

It is going to look beautiful. Please keep us up to date when the grass grows. I love your path. I just wanted to take a leasurely walk on down it.

Stuart said...

Alice, I love it. That's the way to lay lawn. It looks easier than roll-on. It won't be long, they'll have plants coming out that way too.

I can't wait to see your lawn as it grows. You and Richard have obviously put a lot of hard work and effort into that.

Way to go.

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Wow, you have been working hard. Hope the grass grows quickly and thickly. Looking forward to progress reports !!!
Take care, Meow

Diana LaMarre said...

What a beautiful winding river of grass you will soon have!
Rest up after all that hard work.

Sigruns German Garden said...

Boa, Alice, what a lot of work. You have a very big garden, I envy you!

Sigrun

Val said...

The lines of your garden beds are so graceful and beautiful, even with the turquoise color. Can't wait to see the green come through! And congrats on all the new people commenting on your blog, Alice (or at least they are ones I haven't seen before).

Sandy said...

What a huge job! Your husband is so meticulous. I love that quality in a husband. It is going to look great. You must walk in your barefeet when it is ready:).

Kerri said...

Oh Alice...it's looking wonderful! I'm really excited for you...anticipating the green grass!!! The grandkids will love it! You and Richard are such workers. No flies on you Mate!
I hope you both have a wonderful rest now. You certainly deserve it. I love your yard. You've designed it all so well.
Great job you two!! Nice job with the pics too Alice.

Susan Tidwell said...

Whew! I am tired just reading about all the work! Great job and pics.

Sigruns German Garden said...

Alice, I have posted some photos for you some day again on my blog. Come and look!

Sigrun

TUFFENUF said...

Wow! what a lot of work! The paving and walls are so beautiful. When the grass comes in, it is going to be a real showplace!