Planting first new plants

Well its been a long summer of cleaning out overgrowth, trees, installing irrigation systems, and spreading topsoil. It was a long, physically demanding summer.  I had originally hoped to install some new plants by summer's end but that plan would not be realized.  The shear amount of work required to get the yard to this point was more difficult than I anticipated going in.  Although the new plants never made it in as I had planned I was not going to let the summer end without planting something new. Although there would be no immediate gratification from this planting - spring should start out pretty.

This job is far from over. I am in process of designing the landscape utilizing landscape software, planning the propagation of most of the plants to be installed in spring, and designing a water feature and slate pathway that will be installed in spring. So for know thanks for checking out my progress, and come back in Spring as I will continue to document the make-over of this property until all of the planting is finished and the transformation is complete.

Installing topsoil in the newly cleaned beds

We finally completed tree, weed, and vine removal
showing the beds that were hidden underneath. Although
the front yard is beginning to look much better the removal of the unwanted plants, and trees along with the neglect has caused the flower beds to resemble the surface of the moon.  I made the decision to install new topsoil in order to ensure there would be no standing water and proper drainage.  The first load of topsoil was 10 yards which as you can see was spread entirely by hand shovel and wheelbarrow.

After myself and my crew completed spreading the 10 yards of topsoil we discovered more was needed.  After taking measurements of the remaining bed space to be covered and completing some simple calculations we ordered 20 more yards to complete the job.  At this point in the process we retired the hand wheelbarrows and replaced them.

The decision to rent the tractor was purely a business decision.  Based on the amount of hours required to spread the initial ten yards of topsoil, and the labor I had to pay to accomplish the task, it made more sense to rent the tractor. The tractor paid off in a big way we were able to spread the 20 yards in a day.

Maintenance During Irrigation installation

 
 
 
 
After many weeks of hard work and sweat we had finally completed weed removal in the front yard.  It was time to install topsoil to fill in low spots in the beds, and to ensure proper drainage once the new landscape materials are installed.  At this point in the project we found ourselves at a standstill waiting for the irrigation company to install the new irrigation system.  During the time waiting for the installation many new weeds began to pop up, which required immediate treatment.  We began to roundup and apply Amaze pre-emergent weed killer in hopes of holding the weeds at bay until the installation was complete.

 

Tree and brush removal

Crape Myrtle trees next to house and Parking area (before)

As we worked our way through the beds removing overgrown weeds, cutting an English edge around them we also had to remove several trees and overgrown vines.  I decided the tree and vine removal would not only open up the front of the yard but it would allow the eye to move through the yard and beds once completed.  As you can see from the before and after pictures the removal of the vines around the crapemyrtle trees really opened up the yard.

Crapemyrtles after vine removal

As you can see from the pictures below the removal of the group of trees in the flower bed again opened the yard up.  The aspidistras leaves growing in the middle of the bed will also be removed and further open the bed up. Several other large and medium sized trees were removed to further open the yard and give the residence more of a curb appeal from passer's by.

Front yard bed with aspidistra & weedy looking trees

Front yard bed after tree removal

Cutting in the English Edge

During the early part of the planning process
I discussed with Mrs. McClarren the possibility
of utilizing edging stone to surround the beds. I
gathered from the conversation with Mrs. McClarren
she didn't want to spend the money to edge so many beds.
I knew I had to find a way to give the beds a cleaner look
and provide a distinct transition from the lawn to the beds.
After a little research I discovered a technique called and
English edge which is a simple V type trench cut around the
outer border of the bed using a simple hand tool or edging
machine.

As you can see from this picture after the edge was cut into the bed there is a distinct and noticeable transition from the lawn to the bed.  By utilizing the English edge it will accomplish a couple of things a defined edge, and it will allow for drainage as well as keeping the future mulch in the bed.

Continued Transformation

The yard continues to transform, and the beds
 begin to resemble actual flower beds instead
of a weedy mess. During the weed and tree removal
several beautiful plants were discovered which will stay
in the landscape.

The transformation of the front yard is almost complete

After a long month and a half of work the front yard is nearing completion.  After many hours of weed, and tree removal the landscape is beginning to rise from the ashes and resemble a lived in home instead of the jungle we started with. Several trees were removed in the beds in order to remove the brushy chaotic look and replace it with more order

As you can see from the two pictures here the decision to remove the Yaupon trees opened up the bed for more plants and a cleaner look as well as allowing the eye to transition through the landscape more freely. I also believe the removal provides more curb appeal to the random passer by.  Throughout this process I have spoken with many neighbors who have commented on the transformation and have expressed positive responses.

The Landscape continues to Transform

 At the end of week # 2 after hours of weed and tree removal you can begin to see the transformation.  The landscape once forgotten in time is beginning to take shape, show its lines and the promise of what the future could hold. 







During this week we managed to remove several dead or dying trees and shrubs and cut back the San Augustine grass and weeds that had overtaken the beds. The pile of debris that was removed this week rivaled week one and you can finally see the soil of the beds with a few remaining plants uncovered during the process.



Week One lots of sweat and Hard work

After taking several samples of plants I met with Tim Hartman, Texas A&M Extension Service to assist me with identification.  After the verification was complete I knew I had tons of work ahead of me. So work began with the removal of a 20 X 10 foot bed of Asian Jasmine and several Cedar trees.   Also the property had become completely overgrown with various vines and weeds that were taking over and smothering desirable plants. The decisions was made to remove the Cedar trees to open the the view of the property from the in order to add curb appeal.  The over two foot tall weeds were all pulled from the beds in the yard revealing Canna Lilies, Amaryllis, and various desirable plants.  After the completion of week one work this was the result.

Weeds & Trees removed the first week

So you can see the house and also the beautiful Amaryllis and Cannas

New view from the street. 

Cannas and Mondo grass uncovered during weed removal

Canna's in bloom now seen after weed removal

One of my favorite finds during weed removal

The bed of Asian Jasmine being removed

The beginning of week one

So the first week began first it was identifying the plants already in the landscape and determining what would stay and what would go.  After making another walk through the beds in this landscape I came to the same conclusion it was mostly overgrown weeds.  Although the beds were overgrown there were many viable plants such as canna lily, amaryllis, poppies, palms, and various trees.

From the front porch looking toward the driveway

As you can see the beds are completely overgrown

Looking down the yard towards the road. As you can see the beds
were overgrown

 

 

The Jungle to be Conquered

     When I was first interviewed for this project I saw a landscape that had been forgotten in time.  Mother nature had it's way and it appeared no human hand had cared what happened to it as you can see from the pictures below.

View from the road in front of the house prior to work commencing

      






       

looking into the front yard from the road.  Where is the house?

When I spoke with the McClarren's I discovered they had recently bought the home and wanted to revive the landscape.  When I first laid eyes on the landscape I knew it would be a major undertaking, but I could immediately see the potential it possessed.  After walking through the landscape I decided it was a challenge I wanted to undertake.  I have never been one to turn away from a challenge and I decided this would not be the first. If I could make it through 17 years of the U.S. Army and two combat tours I could handle this. When I chose name for this blog I felt An Aggie Phoenix Project would be appropriate as I am a proud Aggie and the Phoenix rises from the ashes so to will this landscape. As I previously stated in this blog my responsibility would be to identify plants that would remain, those that would go, hire and manage labor, design the finished landscape, and install the landscape.  I am excited by the challenge and the potential ready or not here we go