Desolate Wasteland To Garden Oasis
Dirt! It had almost become my most sworn enemy! During this renovation we flattened and cleared the entire yard (back and front!) to create a blank canvas so we can design a yard that suits us. The only problem was that while we finished the house first, we have had a constant supply of dirt entering the house on a daily basis. To add to my pain, the way our house happens to be situated the wind whips up the driveway, around the back of the house and directly into our back door! Needless to say the daily dusting, sweeping and vacuuming was becoming more than a chore!
Then in 2 days we went from desolate wasteland to garden oasis! Oh yes my friends 48 hours was all it took for me to dread opening the blinds, to bounding out of bed (OK OK those who know me, know I never bound out of bed!) to enjoy my morning coffee outside enjoying our new found green paradise!
It wasn't without challenges though! Those 48 hours ended up being the most awful 48 hours of our whole renovation! Why you ask? Well it all started with the truck driver. Actually lets got back a day, first Mr Four Chooks Farm had tirelessly cleared and flattened the approximately 113m2 ready for loam (this is the dirt/compost that goes underneath new lawn). Now this is where the trouble started, we have had trucks up and down our driveway throughout this whole renovation, it's tight yes, but they always manage. So as the truck arrives in the street carrying our 12 tonnes of loam we excitedly await him at the rear of the yard. First he drives half way down the to driveway then decides he's not confident being that tight and proceeds to drive back to the very front of the house and drop the 12 tonnes of dirt in the furthest place it could have possibly been from where we actually needed it. When we had picked our jaws of the floor we kindly thanked him for coming out in the heat - oh did I mention it was 38 degrees! We just stared at the huge pile for a while, then my ever hard working husband silently went and got the wheelbarrow and a shovel. He insists that my help was most valuable but I'm sure he's just being kind. The heat was so oppressive, but he just kept going. What should have only taken a couple of hours (if dumped in the right spot) ended up taking us all day and well into the evening. We would have taken our time with it, but the lawn (ready to roll out and lay Santa Ana Couch) was already cut and paid for and on its way!
So after what felt like the most awful backbreaking day - we went to bed eagerly awaiting the arrival of our lawn the following morning.
So up early it was as our beautiful lawn was delivered - right where it was supposed to be too -around the 'back' of the house! And it began again, although it was only a lovely 40 degrees! The lawn rolls are surprisingly heavy - and the heat was so awful that by the afternoon, I was down with a migraine, and friends had popped in to help -thankfully! They worked till midnight - but when I awoke the next morning it was not only to Mr Four Chooks Farm suffering from heat stroke but to the most green lush looking backyard. We sat and stared all day at this beautiful sight, and now looking back yes it was awful but we got it done! We can look at the backyard and appreciate the effort that was put in, and be proud of ourselves for a job well done!
Then in 2 days we went from desolate wasteland to garden oasis! Oh yes my friends 48 hours was all it took for me to dread opening the blinds, to bounding out of bed (OK OK those who know me, know I never bound out of bed!) to enjoy my morning coffee outside enjoying our new found green paradise!
It wasn't without challenges though! Those 48 hours ended up being the most awful 48 hours of our whole renovation! Why you ask? Well it all started with the truck driver. Actually lets got back a day, first Mr Four Chooks Farm had tirelessly cleared and flattened the approximately 113m2 ready for loam (this is the dirt/compost that goes underneath new lawn). Now this is where the trouble started, we have had trucks up and down our driveway throughout this whole renovation, it's tight yes, but they always manage. So as the truck arrives in the street carrying our 12 tonnes of loam we excitedly await him at the rear of the yard. First he drives half way down the to driveway then decides he's not confident being that tight and proceeds to drive back to the very front of the house and drop the 12 tonnes of dirt in the furthest place it could have possibly been from where we actually needed it. When we had picked our jaws of the floor we kindly thanked him for coming out in the heat - oh did I mention it was 38 degrees! We just stared at the huge pile for a while, then my ever hard working husband silently went and got the wheelbarrow and a shovel. He insists that my help was most valuable but I'm sure he's just being kind. The heat was so oppressive, but he just kept going. What should have only taken a couple of hours (if dumped in the right spot) ended up taking us all day and well into the evening. We would have taken our time with it, but the lawn (ready to roll out and lay Santa Ana Couch) was already cut and paid for and on its way!
So up early it was as our beautiful lawn was delivered - right where it was supposed to be too -around the 'back' of the house! And it began again, although it was only a lovely 40 degrees! The lawn rolls are surprisingly heavy - and the heat was so awful that by the afternoon, I was down with a migraine, and friends had popped in to help -thankfully! They worked till midnight - but when I awoke the next morning it was not only to Mr Four Chooks Farm suffering from heat stroke but to the most green lush looking backyard. We sat and stared all day at this beautiful sight, and now looking back yes it was awful but we got it done! We can look at the backyard and appreciate the effort that was put in, and be proud of ourselves for a job well done!
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