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