Granted, well into summer there was standing water on the lawn at the bottom of the field and in the brush around the field...mosquito breeding heaven...but whether my "solution" turns out to be crazy or cool probably won't be determined for a number of years. One thing is certain, for better or worse, this project has permanently altered the landscape. I'll begin with what was...
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| This is how the field looked when Jeb first arrived to build a stone wall for the gazebo. |
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| Jeb moved the dark topsoil which will eventually raise the level of the field. He then began to dig... |
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| Just a closer view which also shows the arbor entrance to the field... There is a large perennial bed in front of the arbor. | |
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| Jeb is heading for China! And the mess is growing... |
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| One pond dug. There is water already. There is also a huge pointed rock jutting up in the middle of the hole! This pond will need a sign warning people to not dive in. Someday I hope to stand on that rock when it's a meter under water. | | | | |
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There is a spring filling the first pond, but water pours out of the ground further up the hill, closer to the house, so Jeb has planned a second, smaller pond...
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| It's exciting, but it's also scary. There is no un-doing these holes! |
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| And now there are two muddy holes! This one isn't as deep. |
As the second, smaller pond fills, we realize that there is more standing water above this hole, and so the decision is made to continue with a third pond. It will be behind the large perennial garden where the only tree I had dared to plant was a river birch because the ground was so wet.
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| Only the bottom end of the large perennial garden shows in this picture. The third pond is further behind the plants and can't be seen from this angle. Because it is somewhat hidden, it's going to be fun to eventually create a surprise garden "room" around this pond. The digging may end this summer, but the project will keep me busy for years to come... |
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| This shows a little more of the perennial garden that Jeb will be digging behind. Mostly, I just love the colors... |
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| All digging is done. This picture is taken from the house deck. By peeking through the maple tree, the third pond, now the upper pond, can be seen. |
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| From the other side of the house deck, the two lower ponds come into the view. The first pond dug, the one on the left, is actually the biggest. It just looks smaller because it hasn't filled with water. That may take a year. |
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| In this view from the bottom of the field, all three ponds are visible. Only the middle and bottom ponds have rock walls. Eventually, most of the rocks will be under water. During wet times of the year it is expected that water will cascade from one pond to the next. Now that will be really cool! |
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| Jeb proclaimed the job to be "finished" except for tweeking. The tractor went home with him and I started planting! The three scrawny plants in the foreground are obvious. Can you spot the two tall, yellow globe flowers that are actually on the bank behind the upper pond? (Look to the left of the plants in the foreground) |
I have more plants waiting for me to get them in the ground, but I'm anxious to see grass growing. Next week I'll be sight-seeing in and around Washington D. C.. Maybe there will be grass when I get home!
