When we first bought the apartment we planted various shade loving plants with the help of Carol and Trudy. These were subsequently torn up by tenants who thought they looked dead (duh...it was winter).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AFTER
Now, two years later....a strata lead re-fencing project gave us a chance to renegotiate our fence line. Patrick made a few inquiries and got permission from the right people to extend our chunk of land considerably... giving us a cherry tree and much more gardening space.
So, inspired by our dear friend Jake, we decided to build a living retaining wall to prop up the sloping slumping dirt.
On a stormy Friday in early May we were thoroughly challenged by the elements. Patrick and Simon hauled these black sacs filled with dirt (heavy and as awkward as baby seals) in pounding rain and hail. Mud everywhere and beyond thinking about keeping dry, they got the truck unloaded.
The next weekend, Patrick and I (on a very summery day) went and built the living retaining wall. Placement of the bags, wheelbarrow loads of crushed gravel, tamping them flat....and lots of shoveling....we did it. Our bodies having worked out forgotten muscle groups...and breathed in many positive ions from fresh spring earthworm filled dirt.
A few weeks later, we are now moved into our abode in Mt.Pleasant...and have started planting the wall and new terrace. Plants have been generously donated by Fred and Anna, Carol B and one of her co-workers, and my maman. It is starting to fill up...but we have room for more.
I helped Elgin build a beautiful stone staircase up to our gate to the outside world.
And, voila! A landscaping project completed with the support and collaboration of loved ones.
Now we can sit back on our patio and enjoy the view.
