Garden Update: A few new things

The garden continues to change and mature... 

&

We keep finding interesting and secret spots

to create little niches and places to sit

 Some of the projects have a purpose...to support grapes, as in this case

 And some of the projects have been inspired by the view 

Or the location, 

in relation to where we work in the garden

 At the very rear of the veggie garden are two peach trees.

  The spot was a little bare with just this bench,
 but a wonderful vantage point.
What could we do here?

 On a recent trip to Big Sur, up in Northern California, 

we were taken with this wonderful arched pergola.

 This seemed like just the thing for a vine covered spot in our garden,

 and it didn't seem like it would be too difficult to build

I also wanted to add a little folly to the pergola...just for fun 

 These are new gates,
which have been "ageing" in the yard,
for the last few months

 The details are vintage looking 

and they are now really rusty and look right at home 

 The arches of the pergola are made of large  glulam beams with a 12' span.

It took a while to find a manufacturer,

 but eventually we found a supplier who made them out of cedar.
The funny thing about these beams is that they are made first to your specs
and then sent out to be bent.

The wood will have a similar patina to redwood over time 

and we have used redwood on almost all of the other garden structure projects.  

 The top is made up of alternating 4x4 and 2x4 beams

   The same turn buckle and wire system, 

will help to support the vines when they are newly planted

 The rusted gates are now at home along the front.  

They don't really close or do much,

 except make you smile.
 I really like them...

The arch of the gate fits nicely with the arch of the beams

 I have always wanted a Wisteria vine in my garden and so this will be the place.

Wisteria grows like a weed here in Ojai....not really sure why

There are many old beautiful vines on the historic buildings downtown, which people seem to ignore but they are really amazing when they are in bloom

  I am hoping this will be a wonderful spot
to sit when the vines have matured 

 A simple project really.  

I will get the vines planted next week....

not looking forward to digging those holes!  

I'm sure there are about 4 million rocks,

  lurking under the surface, waiting for the tip of my shovel!

Notice the blooms on the peaches...

I can't believe it!

Spring has sprung

~kelley~