First winter project

This grassy pathway between the two borders has been problematic due to the fact that it is slightly uneven and the grass creeps into the borders. Michael wanted to do away with the grass altogether and replace it with gravel but I like the look the green grass gives and feel that it gives a calming place for the eye to rest since there is so much going on in the borders. There are only two areas of grass left in the entire garden - here and in the Pan garden area right off the deck in back.

The plan is to replace this grass with RTF (Rhizomatous Tall Fescue) which is what we have in back. The grass is beautiful, evergreen and best of all, it is well behaved. I am removing this grass so that the area can be leveled. I will build up the soil and let it rest for the winter before putting down sod next spring.

Removing grass is such a thankless job -

The border on the left in the above photo is slightly raised and I wanted to put a low retaining wall to hold the soil in better as well as providing a pleasing division between the grass and the border. 

I found these on clearance at a local rock yard months ago but wasn't sure they would work. I returned a few months later and was surprised to find that they were still there -

 

The color of the these rocks matches the brick on our house so I'm hoping this was a good decision. They are of varying sizes and some measure as long as 3 feet. But now, the question arises as to how they should be placed. Of course, Michael's idea was totally opposite from mine. 

I feel they should be stacked this way -

 but he thinks they should be turned on their sides to show the texture - 

The border measures about 55 feet long and the wall be only a foot or less. The border already has a curved shape to it and I intend to keep that if I can do that with these oddly shaped rocks.

 

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy