Almost there!
We woke up this morning to a beautiful blanket of snow…there’s something mystical and nostalgic about a first snowfall. And yet in contrast to last week’s balmy breezes, winter arrived with cold surprise. After a busy season of planning and planting, it’s time to enjoy a pause knowing the gardens are nestled all snug in their beds for a long winter’s nap.
Looking back over the summer the unavailability of trades and staff shortages was a tad challenging for this get-it-done kind of guy. The hardscaping and large plantings showed intermittent surges of progress while Jacob (my right hand man) and I implemented the balance of the garden plan. But like many who are navigating process through a relatively short growing season, full completion of the landscaping will have to wait until May flowers.
Shirley reminds me how much we have actually accomplished over this past eleven months—and she’s right. The interior of the house has been “polished”—trim work upgrades, colour re-working and general finishing details to enhance the overall presentation and design of this lovely modern lodge home. A good deal of focus was spent on the lower level—transforming what was basic square footage into a designed space reflective of the quality of a custom built home. The garage was also an area we wanted to address—taking what was a builder grade structure and turning it into a guy’s dream space…shiplapped walls, lacquered flooring, storage shelving and cabinetry units to house tools and gardening equipment.
What attracted us to this location was the feeling of being in the country—long views and a sense of big space without feeling isolated in a rural setting. The home is situated on a hillside and flanked with two large new builds. Privatizing our courtyard areas was top priority in the plan. For instant maturity we planted 25’ mature trees—three Norway Spruce, ten Eastern White Pines, one Colorado Spruce, and three White Spruce, three Clump River Birch—plus over fifty Cedars of different varieties, Yews, Boxwood and Snowmound Spirea hedges. Not to mention countless perennial favourites. Certainly this winter will test the stamina of our plantings and hopefully our big trees will establish for years to come.
The landscape plan I designed last winter paid off in terms of having worked through the details for each of the areas surrounding our house, as well as setting an overall direction. Having this plan in place for early spring made it possible to get started sooner than later. Of course with any plan, one must remain flexible as things unfold. There are always issues that come up throughout the process that require creative thinking and alternative approaches to achieve the desired outcome.
We finished two courtyard gardens, a sawn-cut dry laid Eramosa stone retaining wall along the back length of the property, two landings and patio areas with surrounding retaining walls for raised gardens in Unilock pavers, a stone privacy wall and fountain feature at the front. With the hardscaping completed, all being well next spring a final tidy up and grading, new sod and a wrap up on the irrigation system should ensure we actually get to enjoy our outside spaces next summer! Hopefully most of the building projects around us will be coming to a close as well.
Grateful for this beautiful home and property on the Georgian Bay Club. A recent visit from a good friend who’s impeccable taste we regard, said to us as she was leaving, “this is my favourite you’ve done so far”. Encouraging words indeed.
Looking forward to finishing up the finer details inside and some fun design projects for our clients this winter.
Enjoy the upcoming holidays and a Merry Christmas to you and the ones you love! Keep well and stay safe.
Ric Riordon, the Fussy Gardener | Dream it. Plan it. Create it.
