I’m thinking of giving up my gym membership and becoming a mason.
At least I would if I had a gym membership.
Now I know why masons not only charge a lot, but have killer biceps.
You probably already guessed what this post is about.
The stone retaining wall is finished!
Can I get an AMEN!??
Here’s what we had to work with when we started. An undefined area that was overrun with invasive day lilies.
After working for almost a day, this is how far we had gotten…
But like most things, it got easier as we went along. We learned it’s best to work in spurts, maybe a couple of hours at a time and not to overdue it. We lost three days due to rain, but on Wednesday we pretty much finished placing the stones and just did some adjusting on Thursday and Friday. All toll, it probably took about 3 days.
We also put some stones around a rose of sharon tree on Friday. Compared to the wall, that went super quick, but we weren’t nearly as fussy with it. Nevertheless, I think it came out pretty good. We still have some tweaking to do, but we were in a time crunch.
I was anxious to get some plants so I went out Friday morning and did just that. I picked up some fox gloves, spider wort, one passionate rainbow wand flower, honeysuckle to cover the ugly utility pipes, and mallow.
I also got two flats of alyssum and used them as edging and a few in some open areas between the stones.
I got two large hanging baskets of purple petunias and placed one on each end of the wall. I kept them in their baskets and just removed the plastic hanging piece.
You’ll notice the front is just dirt. Yup, we still have tons to do!
There’s no question this was an ambitious project, but one that I’m glad we undertook. I wish I could give you some tried and true advice about how to do this, but frankly, we pretty much winged it. There’s lots of information all over the internet on how to build a dry stack wall (which, btw, is harder than a mason wall, but not as messy). All the tutorials tell you to lay gravel as a base, and although we did lay a little bit, we ended up not really using much at all, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say it’s not 100% necessary. As for tools, a tamper is handy, but other than that your hands are your best and most useful tools.
Now on to the next project…
In other news…
As bad as the front of our yard is, the back makes it look like Shangri-la. Next up on the day list is a firepit. But that’s not as simple as it sounds. There’s lots of very large rocks that need to be removed before we can attempt that. One of the reasons Fisherman and I decided to do the rock wall ourselves is it is very difficult to find qualified, responsible people here, but removing the rocks ourselves just doesn’t seem feasible. So we shall see how that works out.
I am sitting on the porch as I type this, observing a bird building a nest in one of the hanging planters on the porch. I’m looking forward to being able to see things as they progress. There are a couple of more nests throughout our property but they’re not in spots that are as easy to see as this one!
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Dewena says
I am amazed! This is so beautiful, Doreen. Your whole yard and cabin reminds me so much of my beloved North Carolina mountains cabins. And the plants you’ve added look so naturalized. I bet those arms are achy-breaky! I think your way of exercise is why my grandparents were always slim and wiry–they were farmers! Enjoy the fruits of your labors now.
Doreen says
Thank you Dewena. So glad you like it and that it brought back good memories for you. I’m sure your grandparents were thin not just because they worked hard, but they ate ‘real’ food. :/
xxx
susan says
It looks absolutely beautiful, Doreen. I love the stone wall and all the plantings you chose. You really did an amazing job.
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
wow you arms maybe a achy breaky but it sure was worth it! You guys did a really nice job….dont you find the older you get the more you feel it and don’t recover as soon? I’ve been in the garden the last four days and I have an achy breaky back!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
You are so lucky to have that lovely place in peace and quiet. Enjoy it and don’t overdo.
Brenda
Julie says
WOW Doreen, you & your husband did a great job making the wall. It looks so nice with the flowers planted there too. Enjoy your weekend and week!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
It looks great, Doreen! I love stone in a garden. As I think I told you, we had stone {river rock is what we call it in NY} that looked just like this and ours was about three times as high as yours in our back garden. I had a lower one in the front of the house, like yours. Such a great look.
Cecilia says
Ooo, it looks great. I didn’t know daylillies could be invasive. I love them but they are better behaved here.the one around the tree looks good too. All the flowers are beautiful. Good luck with the rock removal!
Denise says
I am very impressed! The finished look is beautiful! I would NEVER take that project on. I’d be 6 feet under after all that work! xxDenise
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Wow, it’s looking so pretty, as are your flowers and the area around the rose of trees. I think you two are doing a wonderful job. Yard work is one of my favorites. Even though it’s hard work, it has to feel really accomplishing. Hang in there and good luck with the rest, Doreen!
Poppy says
Wow, Doreen! It all looks so beautiful: the stones, the greenery, the flowers, the cabin! You and Fisherman should be very proud of yourselves for dreaming, planning, gathering, LIFTING, placing, and completing this physically challenging project! Your achy breaky arms can now rest and reap the rewards of your gorgeous garden, after one last lift – this time, a glass of bubbly and a toast! ‘Here’s to curb appeal!’
xoxo
Poppy
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Well here’s your AMEN! 🙂
Looks wonderful!! 🙂
Jane says
I applaud you. I think the bending over would do me in (but be great exercise!). It looks fantastic and I love the plants you chose. Love foxglove, I had some at the lake and my hubby’s daisies drove them out. Spiderwort is so cool, mine has lime green leaves that just pop from across the yard. I’m glad you’re finished with this project and hurray…you did it before the heat waves arrived.
Jane x
tammy j says
absolutely charming.
the mark of great landscaping is that it looks like it’s been there for ages. and this does.
when the new plants come in fully … oh… even more beautiful it will be!
now time to give your arms a rest and sip the cool one on that glorious porch. overlooking the stone wall and tree round.
xo
Cindy says
Based on the size of the rocks I can understand the title. It turned out awesome. I hope Fisherman is feeling better. We couldn’t find Allysum this year. The garden centers here said no one buys it much. I was bummed. Rest up. Have a cocktail you guys have certainly earned it.
Cindy
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
It looks great and makes such a statement in your garden. I love stone, so I might be a little biased! Great work!
Jemma says
Doreen,
This is exactly why I was concerned over you-look at this massive and (beautiful) stone creation! You worked way too hard and I must say that I appreciate your humor, which you infused in your opening paragraph. Your cabin, the setting, the landscape and the nonchalant way you have tucked the alyssum in between the stones is perfectly magical. Because you live in a different climate than me, I am not familiar with spider wort or passionate rainbow wand flower, but they sound very intriguing, are they perennials? Your vision for the project came to fruition and I say tada!! Job well done.
Thank you for the kudos on the Key Lime Pie-I know you know a good one when you see it!
Warm Hugs for a restful for afternoon,
xo
Jemma
Doreen says
Thanks Jemma! Your comments always brighten my day.
They are perennials. I had never heard of Wand Flower either, but I like that the leaves are variegated, and it’s also drought tolerant once established which is a huge plus.
Emily says
Doreen, What a hug project but you were smart on how to approach it. Doing only a few hours at a time and not overdoing it was key. Even with that I can only imagine how sore your muscles must have been. I love, love, love the rock wall! What a difference in your curb appeal and it is just so pretty. A perfect fit for the house. Congratulations on doing it yourself! Great job……….
Doreen says
Thanks so much Emily! After we worked for about five hours the first day, we realized that was a bit much ;). We also had three days of rest due to rain, so it really was manageable. Like anything, the more you do it the easier it gets.
Julie says
Thanks Doreen for linking up your amazing stone wall you made to the Cooking & Crafting with J & J Link Up party!
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Oh Doreen!! You guys did an awesome job!! It looks SO nice and I love the natural look of that kind of stone with your house and surroundings. Your flowers all look lovely too! Just remind me not to ask you to an arm wrestling match any time soon. 😉
We have something kind of similar in the works – which I’ll share down the line – on even a bigger scale. Gulp! Still not sure we’ll tackle ourselves or be hiring. My arms could use some muscle though…hhmmm. I can’t wait to see the project ahead for you too. Summer work is fine – as long as you take the time to sip in the shade as needed.
Happy week ahead! xo
Cindi says
Wow! I’m super impressed. It looks fabulous!
I love seeing the exterior of your home, it looks so nice and private.
Just perfect.
I like your choices on the flowers too.
Just lovely
xo – Cindi
Jess says
Oh my gosh…this looks so pretty! I love it!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J &J!
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen, your stone retaining wall looks very nice. You did a great job on it. I was just admiring your flower pictures. You take some really good flower pics from what I’ve seen on your recent posts. The purple petunias caught my eye, as PURPLE is my favorite color.
I’d love to see that bird nest sometime also. And you’re right……our hands are the best and most useful tools. :~)
~Sheri
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida says
Doreen, you are so funny! A mason, indeed. You must be so proud, though, because your work looks just beautiful, and you now have the rest of the summer to enjoy it, perhaps with a tall glass of cold brew coffee. 😉
Sue says
This retaining wall with stone is perfect. I just love it and scrolled up and down and up and down. I really like the before and after. Amazing what you two did. Love all the flowers and I bet you can’t wait to fill in the different areas now with this and that. Wonderful porch with hanging baskets too. Looks like you went 3 stone high. The stone look like they are giving the house a hug now. Gee, is that tall tree with the ring of stone around it rose of sharon? God help us Tim planted like 5 or 6 in the back as he is OCD about them…I hope they don’t grow that large. We do have a few others so I will have to keep my eye on them.
Doreen says
I like the way you put it Sue, ‘giving the house a hug’. 🙂
You’re right. We went three stones high, and sometimes four, so I like to say three and a half. The tree is a Rose of Sharon. It was here when we bought the house and I don’t know much about them. I’m not sure if they all tend to get that large, but hopefully for your sake they don’t. They are slow growing though, so maybe that helps.
Kelly says
Wow! I can tell that y’all put a lot of blood sweat and tears into that project. I love how it turned out! The flowers you planted really helped it come together nicely. I particularly like how you planted small flowers between the rocks. That makes it look more established already.
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Hi again Doreen!
I also wanted to let you know I nominated you for a Liebster award as I love reading your blog. If you want to get more info and accept go to my blog: northwoodsscrapbook.blogspot.com xoxo
Blessings dear Gal and hope your arms are feeling better. 😉
Vicky Hunt says
The wall looks awesome! I love it! The flower bed looks pretty too and I love all the flowers you chose. Beautiful colors! Your place is just lovely…even if you are still working on it. Doesn’t it make you feel good knowing you did the work yourself? Can’t wait to see the fire pit. Maybe you can sneak a photo of the birn nest while the mother bird is out. Have a great weekend!
Patti says
Such a gorgeous property you have! The wall is fabulous, everything is coming along sooo well!
Hugs,
Patti
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
Talk about a true labor of love…the wall looks amazing and with the addition of the flowers even more amazing….Glad forgot about your achy breaky arms and decided to move on to the next project….looking forward to that fire pit you are envisioning!!…
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Doreen, the wall looks amazing! What a difference! I wish you could have sent me the day lilies, lol! But the space does look much prettier with your new plantings!
Doreen says
Our neighbor gave me the day lilies about 9 years ago. I had no idea they were invasive. Apparently some varieties are and some aren’t. We moved some to other areas of the yard and some we just threw out. Believe me, unless you have an area that you don’t care much about having an organized look, you DO NOT want these! lol
rue says
You did a beautiful job! I know how hard that kind of thing is and it’s a pain in the butt (or back), but it’s rewarding. Or at least I think it is 🙂
I love your front yard and the new flowers look great.
xo