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#350 June 5th, 2006 at 03:05 AM
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Episode #20... The Bus Stop
A Wild Willy Sequel


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As I stared at that ugly, ugly bus for the past twenty some years, the only thoughts and vision I had was to extend the lawn by simply raking the area planting grass seed...

However, reality set in when I saw the damage to the immediate area and adjoining lawn caused by the dozer and bus as we pushed it it to its new location. It was a mess, to say the least!
[Linked Image from thegardenhelper.com]



After carefully assessing the situation, I came to the conclusion that it would be easier to patch the scars in the lawn and cover the bare dirt where the bus sat with garden bark, adding a small path, bench and just a few special plants. I thought that I might even add a small water feature, just for fun! Inexpensive, quick and easy.... Yep! That's all I want to do!
[Linked Image from thegardenhelper.com]



I began doing the prep work in early February. The billdozer seriously gouged the lawn area all along the right edge, making a simple rake and re-seed impossible, so I removed the damaged sod and extended the area that was to be barked. There were literally tons of rocks to remove, and the roots from dozens of salmon berries and black berries to dig out. Suddenly, my simple project was turning into actual work!
[Linked Image from thegardenhelper.com]



The soil that was directly under the bus was in terrible shape due to the lack of light and water for so many years, so I dragged out <a href="https://www.agardenersforum.com/old/ultimatebb.php/topic/32/173.html#000002" target="_blank" title="soil sifter image">my trusty sifter</a> to remove debris and amend the soil by adding some compost and sand. A few larger boulders took considerable digging and effort to remove, and left large craters in their absence. One of these craters eventually grew to four feet in diameter and three feet deep! Sigh.... What have I gotten myself into this time????
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March 11, 2006


To be continued.....

Last edited by Gremelin; March 12th, 2020 at 08:17 PM.
#351 June 5th, 2006 at 03:25 AM
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Wow, that's a lot of hard work Bill--I can't WAIT to see the continuation of the bus stop!

I'm excited! grinnnn

#352 June 5th, 2006 at 03:47 AM
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To be continued....
Oh, man..... eek
Talk about taunting and teasing us!

#353 June 5th, 2006 at 03:51 AM
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One of these craters eventually grew to four feet in diameter and three feet deep!
Sounds like a pond in the making to me, Bill! thumbup

That surely is a lot of hard work!
Can't wait to see the glorious results! clp

#354 June 5th, 2006 at 04:54 AM
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<font color="#006200">


When I first showed you the bus and subsequent photos of the naked ground, several members suggested that a small pond or waterfall would look nice in the space. However, I already have several ponds down yonder and three "waterfall" type water features around the gardens, so I decided that I needed something a little different at the bus stop. I did a lot of searching and shopping to find a thingy that seemed right....

I found a Roman style urn that I liked for the fountain but I wasn't sure of what would look right for the reservoir until I discovered some Roman stack stone at my favorite rock store. I used the stack stone to create a six foot circle which I lined with heavy rubber pond liner. The urn was set on blocks to lift it above the rim of the circle. The water circulates via a 400gph submersible pump.

[align:center]<img src="http://www.thegardenhelper.com/photo/busstop/03110004.JPG" width="400" height="300" alt="how to fill a crater" border="0">



Unfortunately, electric pumps require electricity to run, and I was already very tired of digging so for the first time ever I decided to allow someone to help me with some of the work involved in creating one of my gardens. I sent a message to a gnome who lives in the Cedar grove just south of Cedar Hill, and Digger Don agreed to help me out...
<img src="http://www.thegardenhelper.com/photo/busstop/diggerdon.jpg" width="200" height="273" alt="Digger Don the neighbor Gnome" border="0">



It didn't take long for Digger Don to dig the fifty feet of trench from the power supply to the pump, so I had him continue beyond that point to where I had decided to add a street lamp to the garden. Somehow, my simple plan seems to be turning into much more of a project than I ever anticipated...
<img src="http://www.thegardenhelper.com/photo/busstop/march14.JPG" width="400" height="300" alt="damage to the lawn" border="0">



At this point, my addiction to buying plants was beginning to haunt me, and I began to add a couple shrubs and flowers to the Bus Stop. (55 tall Bearded Iris, a couple Rhododendrons, a Goldenchain tree, a dwarf Forsythia....) I also came across a gazing ball and antique concrete planter that begged to be part of this garden.
<img src="http://www.thegardenhelper.com/photo/busstop/march18.JPG" width="400" height="300" alt="some hardscaping and plants added" border="0">



I began using the hundreds of excavated rocks as a wall so that I could create different levels of raised beds throughout the garden, and in a moment of weakness I hit the nurseries again.... (a couple more Rhododendrons, 10 assorted Heucheras, a spiral Arborvitae, some Junipers, a Golden Fir...)
<img src="http://www.thegardenhelper.com/photo/busstop/march24.JPG" width="400" height="300" alt="too much!" border="0">

March 24, 2006

So much for my plans of keeping this project SIMPLE!!

To be continued.....
</font>


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#355 June 5th, 2006 at 04:59 AM
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To be continued.....
grinnnn

#356 June 5th, 2006 at 05:05 AM
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OMG, I'm LOVING it! thumbup

#357 June 5th, 2006 at 05:07 AM
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WOW can i come play?

#358 June 6th, 2006 at 07:25 AM
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Awesome...can we get some close ups of that fountain in action?

#359 June 6th, 2006 at 08:46 AM
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Before I'm done, you will be able to see closeups of most of the plants and hardscape features! thumbup

#360 June 7th, 2006 at 12:56 AM
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Patience has never been one of my strong points wink

#361 June 7th, 2006 at 01:18 AM
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This project is coming along GREAT,Bill thumbup

I cannot wait to see more pics!

#362 June 7th, 2006 at 02:21 AM
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Originally posted by Xetox:
Patience has never been one of my strong points wink
Me, either..... :rolleyes:

"Are we there yet?" laugh

#363 June 7th, 2006 at 04:47 AM
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Patients Grasshopper...Patients...
When it is time to snatch the pepple from
Bill's hand, it will be time for you to see...

Loooooks great Bill..
Very nice indddeeeeeeed!!! smile thumbup flw clp

#364 June 11th, 2006 at 11:05 AM
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Love seeing it all come together. Cannot wait for more!

#365 June 12th, 2006 at 08:46 AM
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Looks great Bill, I can't wait to see more. Ya have me on the edge of my seat!

#366 June 14th, 2006 at 01:45 AM
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Looking good Bill, cant wait to see more thumbup

#367 June 14th, 2006 at 02:56 AM
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.....yeah, waiting patiently here...... lala

#368 June 14th, 2006 at 04:21 AM
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grinnnn Meeeeeeeeeee toooooooooooo lala

#369 June 14th, 2006 at 05:20 AM
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Originally posted by weezie13:
Patients Grasshopper...Patients...
When it is time to snatch the pepple from
Bill's hand, it will be time for you to see...
I am declaring it time to snatch the pebble! laugh

#370 June 14th, 2006 at 06:27 AM
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wink wink laugh laugh kissies muggs

#371 June 14th, 2006 at 06:36 AM
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The suspense is killing me!

#372 June 16th, 2006 at 03:44 AM
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Checking in for an update but there isnt one yet thumbup

#373 June 16th, 2006 at 04:30 AM
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cant wait to see more Bill
p

#374 June 16th, 2006 at 04:35 AM
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shk laugh shk

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