Small landscaping project

[LS Tractor Owner]

I started doing a landscape bed between the house and garage. Then decided to add a small pond / waterfall to the area. Then the area got expanded.... here are a few before pics.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

And some progress pics...

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Figured two LS tractors are better than one, so the neighbor came over to help...

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

And the progress by the end of the day...

 

[Diggin It]

Figured two LS tractors are better than one, so the neighbor came over to help...

Is that your old little one?



I did a two part poly pond quite a few years back with a shovel. Smaller, deeper one set under the lip of a bigger one. Stacked a few rocks at one end with a hose set in concrete from the pump which is in the low pond. So, water pumped from the low pond up to the rock pile flows down the rocks into the larger pond then over the lip into the lower pond again. I have a problem with the dirt/gravel under the whole thing settling which causes separation of the two poly ponds that leads to leakage. I have to rework that connection between the two every couple of years, and it's leaking again this year.

The whole system in on a sort of terrace above another section of yard, so rainwater is playing havoc as it drains through. And we've had a LOT of rain ... several inches excess each year over the last 3-4 years.


Curious about the plants though in the desert. Drought tolerant?

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Diggin It, no that’ s not my old one. It is a new 2020. He was not my neighbor when I sold mine. I was missing it at times, now I really do! It can get into those tight spaces with ease! Nice thing is that I can borrow it any time I want, so now the best of both!

The pond is similar, but the smaller one is up higher with a lip that flows into the big one where the pump is. I set the lower about 2 inches above ground level and built up the upper about a foot. I surely will not have a problem with rain .... our annual rainfall total is only around 15 inches for the year!

So, yes, there are a lot of “ drought tolerant “ plants that we use. The solution to planting is drip irrigation and plenty of mulch to retain moisture. Our soil has a lot of sandy loam, and layers of clay. The clay also helps to retain moisture. Once the irrigation starts, the soil is very easy to dig / plant, but when it is dry it is like concrete. When I was just digging, it was dry / hard for about the first 8 inches, then was moist and soft. That was from the winter snows.

The nice thing about living in the high desert (we are at 7200 ft) is there are hardly any bugs. I have not seen a mosquito in 25 years!

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

A few progress pics from today. Used the BH to dig a few holes for the shrubs. They will get planted tomorrow. Got the pond pump up and running.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Pond / landscaping project on hold for a bit.... Mother Nature did not cooperate....

 

[Underdog57]

Pond / landscaping project on hold for a bit.... Mother Nature did not cooperate....

Doesn't look like spring anymore, yikes!!!!!

 

[Diggin It]

Providing the filling up the ponds stuff. Just gotta let it melt.

 

[npalen]

You really need to get rid of the wheelbarrow. That is so barbaric!

 

[kenmbz]

LS it's fun watching your project status coming along so well.
As for the wheel barrel, mu most used device is a 4 wheel gorilla cart. Used almost daily !

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Yes, the wheelbarrow has to go! It only means work! Seriously, I use it to mix up our own “ planting mix “. The soil has so much clay it almost drowns the plants. We mix about a 50-50 mix of the clay to the prepackaged garden soil stuff.

Funny story on that wheelbarrow.... it is Frankensteined together from pieces / parts of stuff brought back from the dump.... it is the best wheelbarrow I have ever owned!

 

[Thomas]

LS mt125 owner
Yes, the wheelbarrow has to go!
-----------------------------
Not so quick,place both handles on the ground than just set inside back and lean backwards until comfortable enjoy nap.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

LS mt125 owner
Yes, the wheelbarrow has to go!
-----------------------------
Not so quick,place both handles on the ground than just set inside back and lean backwards until comfortable enjoy nap.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Finally got all the plants planted, accent split rail fence installed, and pond finished. Next up.... install the landscape fabric, drip irrigation system, then spread decorative gravel and mulch. At least the weather is cooperating

 

[Underdog57]

Thank goodness the snow left huh!
Looks good.

 

[JTMachineDesign]

And the progress by the end of the day...

I had to make sure my wife wasn't looking over my shoulder when I read your posts... She's claimed a tennis-court sized area of our place to make a garden and she LOVES Koi ponds. I do too but where we live any water is seen as an oasis to the local fauna and you end up with snakes, coyotes, etc being constant visitors.
Plus, my Golden would be in it all day
Heck, I once recommissioned an abandoned 3 tier fountain and within a few hours it was so full of bees I couldn't get near it.
A neighbor put in an 80' waterfall and got so many un-welcome critters they tore it all out. Pity too, it was nice when the big horn sheep and feral horses visited it.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

So far only lots of birds have hung around. Too many fences for the coyotes to frequent, though I believe they have visited. Only one snake this summer (that we know about). Have fun with the garden... we used to have a very large one (100' x 300'), but downsized over the years to just doing container gardening. Good luck with your projects!

 

[JTMachineDesign]

Time? you're a homeowner, you are never done. Cost just depends on how far you go..