Just thought I would share some pics of the changes going on at Castle Cole. Basically, we completely redid the front yard. The rhododendron that had been there for years just took a horrible beating the last few winters, and just was not faring well because it needs shade and the old shade tree that used to be in the yard died and had to be cut down. So we ripped that out and put in some new shrubbery. Here’s a picture of what it used to look like:
Here is the new look, about a month old:
I forget the exact name of the trees and forgot to save the tags, but they are some sort of weeping japanese maple or umbrella tree. The shrubbery are just standard junipers and boxwood, etc. I liked the tree because I can trim it and prune it so it does not grow overly tall and will instead spread out horizontally with beautiful delicate leaves.
On the other side, I can’t find any old pictures, but we basically had two standard shrubs that had just been there forever and looked like Danny Devito and Arnold from Twins. One was about 5 feet high, the other three, and in between them was all this ugly dead space. So we yanked them out and threw in a similar look with a different tree:
You can also make out the beginning of the fence there- I put a gate right there, and then the rest of the front of the fence will eventually have daffodils/tulips season depending, as well as some hostas, honeysuckle, and some creeping vines.
Around back, here is the gate and the area I intend to put the outdoor patio:
We are heading to the store tomorrow to get the patio supplies, and start filling in the holes so the animals can not get out. Also, it seems that I will be unable to replace the iron railing without replacing the concrete on the porch, so we are going to have to just replace the porch with a deck next year.
So that’s what I have been up to.
Just Some Fuckhead
God, this is a blogstalker’s delight.
stuckinred
You may consider building the deck over the concrete rather than trying to break it up and remove it. The place looks good.
John Cole
No one stalks middle age fat guys, dude.
stuckinred
You also might consider POR-15 on the iron railing.
TheOtherWA
Wait. You spend the day OUTDOORS? Doing stuff in real life, not online? Weird.
I keed. The yard looks good.
I have a similar problem to your railing issue. The supports for the carport are buried in concrete, so replacing the 1970’s Florida senior mobile home park look has to wait until I can redo the whole freaking driveway.
Just Some Fuckhead
You’ve clearly never heard of Chubby Chasers.
Yutsano
Heh. Whatever gets you through the night man.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
… on the next episode of This Old House…
JPL
How exciting. I assume you are getting advice from your dad who happens to have the yard of the year. I can’t wait until you post additional photos.
debit
Cole, I see you never got around to dealing with the rust on that railing. I expect you’re cringing in shame right now, aren’t you?
cbear
Are you going to put the koi pond on top of the uninsulated wires for the outdoor lighting or be extra lazy and just run the wires through the finished pond?
Just Some Fuckhead
@cbear:
Don’t be koi.
General Stuck
Did landscaping for 8 years in the late 80’s and early 90’s, and specialized in Boxwoods me and my bidness partner would import from western NC.
Boxwoods were all the craze, especially with the big horse farms around Lexington Ky. They are finicky though, especially just after planting and not letting them dry out too much with the summer doldrums.
The old money Horse people were an odd lot, like something stuck in a days of yore loopety loop. There was this one lady, that when we came to plant, or for maintenance of plants, would greet us on the front porch of her Antebellum Mansion, with some ice tea, dressed up like Scarlett O’Hara, and every time sporting a different southern belle hat, that we got a kick out of.
jl
A few comments on this post
Comment 1:
“I forget the exact name of the trees and forgot to save the tags, but they are some sort of weeping japanese maple or umbrella tree…. I liked the tree because I can trim it and prune it”
Then why did the hapless Cole disremember what kind of tree it is? I sense horticultural fail in Cole’s future.
Comment 2:
What is this we/I stuff? As I have said repeatedly, a lot of blogging stuff is way over my head, but I smell some obscure dropping of the kayfabe here. Is Cole’s dad helping him, or Lily (It is beneath Tunch to help, and if it were Rosie, we would be hearing the mother of all pet disaster stories). Or will the oppressed commentariate have to put up with the royal we sporadically from now on?
Comment 3:
“We are heading to the store tomorrow to get the patio supplies, and start filling in the holes so the animals can not get out.”
What is this, come kind of fantasy gardening/pet blog now? ‘so the animals won’t get out’. Really? How much cement are you going to buy?
Comment 4:
Why do the old pics look new, and the new pics look like some 20 year old polaroids the Cole found under a couch cusihon?
Other than that, thanks, great post. Good luck, Cole will need it. Yard looks good. New design is spiffy. Nice Lily pic. Good luck with your garden and pets. Let us know when the place is ready for the commenter BBQ.
stuckinred
This porch railing firm also carries POR-15.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
it’s usually the other way around. Fat middle age white guys are the stalkers. That is when they’re not dressing up as clowns. http://wonkette.com/448389/michele-bachmann-launches-campaign-with-praise-for-serial-killer-john-wayne-gacy
DonkeyKong
Where is your Michelle Obama/Sister Number One vegetable garden?
slag
@3
No one except for JSF.
jl
@!7: thanks for the reminder
Comment 5: What’s up with Cole’s vegetable garden? Is there one this year?
Mike in NC
When we bought our house it was badly in need of some decent landscaping. Have planted dozens of things — shrubs, ornamental grasses, and palms — plus three lovely Japanese red maples that are doing spectacularly.
Davebo
We’ve been experiencing an extreme drought here in TX so that means my water bill is going through the roof. But what really pisses me off is that my sprinkler system seems to be promoting a huge mushroom crop.
Now, in principle I’m not against mushrooms but as they are useless both for cooking and as mind altering substances I’m a bit pissed about them.
Any ideas? I could bag them and ship them to say, Alabama where I could find folks ignorant enough to think they will make them high. Though the postage would be less if I just shipped them to folks here that are just a gullible.
What’s an elitest to do
sal
Next up, pictures of your kitchen counters.
JPL
Since this appears to be a do it yourself blog, I have a question about how difficult it is to remove scratches from stainless. I am remodeling on a budget but did buy nice appliances. I’m looking at a Bosch pyramid wall vent for over the stove and a local Sears outlet has one half off but with a few scratches. One is one the side of the vent which won’t show but another is on the hood. I’m going to look at it tomorrow and if they are not deep will probably buy it.
I kept my stainless sink and used bon ami and fine steel wool on it and it looks pretty good. Would I use the same approach??
Just Some Fuckhead
Who do you think he’s talking about when he says “we”? We’re still trying to come up with a clever merger of names. FuckCole or HeadCole? I dunno.
slag
Love those trees! And not just because they’re one of the few types I can identify.
srv
1) poor birds are dying now that there’s no bird feeder
2) who cares about shrubberies? What about the countertops?
3) where is the Obama 2012 sign in the yard?
Cliff in NH
My garden/yard looks better when its covered in 3 feet of snow.
=(
stuckinred
JPL
Is it “brushed” stainless?
slag
All I can say is that I hope Cole counts all the sharp implements after you “leave”.
Cliff in NH
@Davebo:
Plant the right sort of mushrooms?
Just Some Fuckhead
We are not amused.
Mike Kay (Democrat of the Century)
Can’t you jsut secede from the drought
cbear
I agree, but you’re going to want to angle the deck at least 15-25 degrees to the side with the stairs.
When you slip you’ll want to be able to build up enough speed going down the stairs to overfly that nasty-looking gate and either land in the space between the gate and the fence or, worse case scenario, hit that soft spot at 10-12 inches up from bottom of the fence between the 2×4’s and the 2×2’s.
Other than that, I like your plan.
stuckinred
The Stainless Steel Information Center cautions that DIY scratch repair can result in a duller or uneven finish, and the best results are only achievable by a professional refinisher. However, when on a budget or dealing with small scratches, DIY scratch removal is a viable option.
Read more: How to Remove Scratches from Stainless Steel | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5136934_remove-scratches-stainless-steel.html#ixzz1QcVplqXC
slag
Ha! (I have no worthy retort.)
stuckinred
cbear
Yea, I want to see take out that shit with a jackhammer.
eta
maybe some c-4 and det cord
srv
I have to go drinking because my manager got promoted w/o my approval. The gall of some people.
Davebo
By the way. I was a bit embarrassed because I didn’t create a vegetable garden despite having a nice raised garden with good soil of about 10′ by 30′ in the back yard.
Hey, we were moving at the time and had other issues to deal with.
My neighbor touted his garden, then let it burn out due to lack of watering. But in another month or so I’ll still have dozens of figs and limes from my trees so I think I win.
I really need some support here. Don’t figs and limes count? And if not, no Mojitos for you evil persons. (I’ve also got two tomatoes but I’m pretty sure the possums will get them before they mature).
After moving from the big city to the country I’m constantly amazed at how my 100lbs plus dog can’t seem to keep the possums out of my yard.
Anyone want a really big dog?
Cliff in NH
@jpl, get some fine sandpaper… (wet) always go with the grain, or its ugly.
http://www.google.com/search?q=automotive+sandpaper
http://3mcollision.com/products/abrasives/sheets
John Cole
The we is my dad and me. My dad picked out the stuff for the front yard, and I paid for it and put it in. I’ve learned if he makes those decisions, then I don’t have to be told I picked the “wrong” plants. If he picked them, they are “right.”
Also, my dad is one of the most amazing gardeners I’ve ever met, so beyond the not having to be harangued, it is always good advice.
Head Bulshytt Talker in Chief of the Temple of Libertarianism(superluminar)
I’m not sure I’d want to do either.
Genine
@#3 John Cole
Don’t put yourself down like that! You’ve devastatingly handsome… especially when you wear that blue shirt. It really brings out your eyes. And that Hawaiian shirt you wore to the pre-wedding party was divine. Well, it’s divine when you’re not trying to flirt with women like that brun-
Not that I would know anything about that. I live several states away…. yeah…
And get your damn tub recaulked!
quannlace
If memory serves, it sustained a severe deer attack. Updates have not been forthcoming.
Linda Featheringill
jl #14
Yeah. Right. Poor babies!
Just Some Fuckhead
Did he pick out an apple tree for ya? Because apples don’t fall too far from the tree.
JPL
stuckinred…hmm… I’m not sure but assume so. My stove is brushed in the front but the edgings aren’t. The dishwasher is brushed as well as the built=in microwave/convection oven.
I ordered my appliances through abe’s of maine and bosch had a rebate. The rebate more than pays for my vent but if I can find it half off that extra will help with the backsplash.
stuckinred
JPL
Lot’s of varying advice, I think it depends on how sensitive you are about how it looks and if you can live with it if it doesn’t come out perfect.
jl
@40 John Cole
OK, sounds good. Cole’s dad keeps a nice looking place. I will not worry so much, now that I know.
If Cole wants to see his dad freaked out to the max, and therefore (maybe) treat him a little better, Cole could just send him over to my garden. When I will be away for a few weeks, so I would be in no danger of Cole Sr. being tempted to put me out of my misery.
General Stuck
Far out. Going Hawaiian at a WV pre wedding party. Who says Cole ain’t all class?
Cliff in NH
yes bosch stainless is brushed
If you attempt a repair, you have to carefully and consistently treat the entire surface equally, regardless of the scratch till the scratch is gone, it’s possible, but tricky.
ps: use tape between different angled surfaces, work one surface at a time.
Davebo
John, you can’t go wrong listening to Dad.
But as a cook, I say grow Basil, it’s ridiculously expensive to buy fresh in the grocery store and pathetically easy to grow.
Add Rosemary to the list. I actually have neighbors over to top off my Basil because I can’t use it all and I make a lot of tomato sauces.
slag
But don’t you have to then worry that you put them in “wrong”?
JPL
Thanks for all the comments on removing scratches from stainless appliances.
If it ends up being a deep scratch, I’ll probably pass on it.
Maude
Boxwood smells like cat pee.
scav
OK, now for the Colditz re-enactments by the united Cole Canine Contingent with the occasional cameo by Tunch. Some may prefer The Great Escape Christmas reruns or the Hogan’s Heroes intermissions but I’m sure we’ll all stay tuned.
JPL
John, My yard is filled with bunnies and chipmunks. They start the tunnel under the fence and my mutt finishes it. Fences are not foolproof.
jeffreyw
Thread needs more strawberry.
jl
@51 Davebo
Genius. Cole should send Davebo some BJ swag.
Cole, two words: mini herb garden. Nothing better than fresh herbs. Even an over busy clumsy absent minded person like myself can keep a small herb garden (though admittedly probably not up to Cole family standards). Mini herb gardens are easy to keep very fussy, neat and cutesy, pleasing to both father and son.
And here are some important tips, often overlooked about mini herb gardens:
It is very difficult to hurt yourself with them.
They can be put on a table or platform of some kind, eliminating destruction from eager and heedless housemates of the animal kingdom.
If outside, not sure about deer, though.
I will look for pics next week.
Violet
When I first moved to West Virginia, people told me, “There’s no flat space in West Virginia.” Cole’s house is no exception. Front door has one step up, back door has many. Must live on a hill. No surprise there. There’s a reason they call it the mountain state.
Thanks for the update. I hope your shoulder is doing okay. Garden looks good. Will the pets behave and not dig it up?
Cat Lady
Please get that poor asparagus fern out of that ugly white plastic pot. kthx.
merrinc
Right. Last two rosemary plants I bought started dying the minute I brought them home.
Ajay
As an owner of multiple (50+) japanese maples trees, I can hopefully guess that the green variety you probably have is a Viridis Japanese maple (weeping).
Few other suggestions:
-For all maples, in general never water the leaves (especially in sun) as they will shrivel and die for the season(tree will come back following year).
-Dont use fertilizer on the maple and this variety is not very sun friendly (morning sun is ok). In general red weeping maples hold sun better and show good color and most green maples like part shade.
-As these grow, dont hesitate to prune to give the shape you like. Its not going to be an umbrella unless you prune it to that shape.
– Also, you have to be patient with maples as they generally grow slowly to very slowly.
Also, if I have to guess, the red maple is probably Inaba Shidare or Crimson Queen or Tamukeyama.
Here are some of my maples (from 2008):
https://picasaweb.google.com/ajkalra/Garden200802
JPL
My knowledge is limited when it comes to gardening. What are the plants in picture 8 and can they be easily transplanted?
I have several that are being overtaken by hydrangeas and I’d like to give them a more prominent space.
Ajay
Picture 8 is Ligularia Desdemona:
http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/LIDEP.html
These like shade and also water. These can be transplanted easily as I have done in many times. You should do it in spring (I do it any time, preferrably cool weather). Make sure you get as much roots as possible. I use a fork shovel to transplant. You can also divide these plants to multiply them if you want to (in spring only).
slag
This is interesting. I got the exact opposite advice when I got my JM tree. I wanted red but went with green because of the sun issue. Often in the summer, the leaves turn a little reddish.
Sixers
Nice tree in front, Mr. Miyagi.
Ajay
Its not totally incorrect. Upright green maples are generally fine in sun (there are many). Weeping maples green are generally not good in sun. The one I commented was of the weeping type. There are however exceptions based on the variety, eg Waterfall which holds sun well.
Regardless, it also depends upon the zone and peak heat. What I have started to do now is let maples in pot for a season and place them at the location you want, if they look good all season long, plant them there. In fact I have many JM which were for shade but are in Sun, but I am in Zone 6a and John is probably in a warmer zone so he needs to be careful.
Dexwood
Here too briefly then gone…
Fences make good neighbors, yea, but they also make good pets.
Anne Laurie
I’d call first dibs, but if Mr. Cole senior ever saw what passes for my “yard”, the poor man would stroke out on the spot. And if his son got a look inside the house, he’d beat his father to the emergency room.
DPirate
If you like it better now, then that’s great. I think it is a disease in our culture though, that makes us prefer the sterile look of neatness over the wild look of nature.
Montarvillois
Watch out for the Honeysuckle. It grows like a weed, must be regularly pruned, and difficult to get rid of. On the plus side, much appreciated by birds and bees.
Carbon Dated
I’m fairly certain your Japanese maple is parked too close to the homestead. Whether you prune it or not, it’s going to be all over your house like birds on Tippi Hedren.
Barry
John Cole:
“No one stalks middle age fat guys, dude.”
That’s actually true – not even Andrew Breitbart stalks guys.
birthmarker
Ajay-in case you check back in–first, beautiful yard! I need some advice about which jm to add to my front yard. We are in zone 7, and are prone to blazing hot summers. The tree will be in full morning sun. I prefer upright, and as much red color as can be maintained. Width isn’t too much of an issue, but I would like something that will get to about ten feet, then hopefully stay there. We have a nursery locally with a great selection.
p.a.
Whatever you do, don’t plant peonies if you have a small yard. Carpenter ants love ’em, and after they enjoy the nectar they may decide to investigate your house as a potential nest site. signed, voice of experience.
addendum: here’s a be specific with your landscaper story. I had some work done about 6 yrs. ago. Pulled out old ratty shrubs and had landscaper do brickwork and plantings. Asked for holly bushes- love the foliage and the cheery red berries. ( I know they come in M and F plants and need cross-pollination. There are others in the neighborhood.) Well I got 2 holly bushes. Korean holly or some such. BLACK berries. Christmas-y? Not so much. sigh.
Ajay
Birthmarker,
For zone 7 (I am in humid 6b actually), Bloodgood is typically been the tradition. I have Oshio Beni in full sun as well (typically not supposed to be in full sun) but Bloodgood is better looking(all subjective of course). I have multiple bloodgoods in shade and some in sun and the ones in Sun look much better and have no leaf burn during the season.
It grows slowly to 15 ft or so (height and width) and can be pruned easily to the shape you want. Also, since it is so popular, almost ever nursery will carry it. If you happen to run into Sango Kaku(green maple), it also may be worth a look as it has the majestic look and red twigs. This has done well for me in sun and shade.
Since maples are relatively expensive, what I do is wait until fall and then go to Lowe’s/HD for 75%-90% sale. One season I bought all they had at Lowes for $5 each, it was 90+% off. This year, all maples that are shown in pictures have really grown.
Some of the maples I bought were 1 year old (6-12 inches tall) from Oregon (JM paradise) plant fair. And now these look really good.
slag
Interesting distinction. Thanks for this!
LanceThruster
I apologize if someone addressed this already in a previous post where I brought it up., but there seems to be quite a few landscaping pros here. I am in the high desert near Palmdale CA. Foxtails are ubiquitous here. I would like to discourage their growth and encourage something else. The guy I bought the place from (Bernie the Attorney) warned of full eradication as they help hold the soil. I also read that the wild mustard plant is an invasive species, though other articles write that they are good at keeping the dust down.
One site said white vinegar with at least 5% acidic level is good. They also mentioned a crabgrass weedkiller. They say the “normal” way is top the grass before the tails sprout (very labor intensive for my area and I am – to quote Homer Simpson – a “handsome, lazy man.”)
Any suggestions short of a controlled burn (area considered high fire danger – no bbq’s even)?
THX in advance.
BTW, John…the place looks totally righteous.
LanceThruster
Since I’m on a roll here, suggestions for shade trees requiring minimal water in the dry season are also sought.