A few years ago, we built a pond in our backyard. We absolutely love the sound of the waterfall and even the occasional splash of the huge koi as they come up for food. We decided to add a sitting area nearby where we could sit in the shade while enjoying the sounds of the pond.
We started with a bit of a slope to a grassy area. We dug that out, then dug and dug and dug until we had a level area.
We went to our favorite rock place in town and filled up the truck. This load weighed about 1500 pounds. We hand-picked the rocks, moved them to a pallet, the guy then put the pallet right in the truck, then we put them in a wheelbarrow, pulled each rock out, then placed it. Yes, we probably lifted each rock at least four times!! Advil was definitely our friend after this weekend. :)
We used the round rocks to hold the dirt back above the area and the flat rocks to create a patio for the Adirondack chairs my husband made a few years ago.
We had to make a step to get up to the pond, as the slope was too steep there. We ended up back at the rock place for another 500 pounds of rocks! (not just for the step) :)
Because our soil is so sandy here, we were able to use what we dug out to set the stones. Even using all that we did, we ended up taking almost 5000 pounds of dirt to the dump. (Enter more Advil....)
We added a new lattice panel and several new plants--lilac, honeysuckle, daisies and coneflowers. We are looking forward to relaxing in this new shady sitting area!
Thank you for your visit!
Pam
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What a lovely place to escape to, Pam! You did a wonderful job, and I love the sitting area! Hope you're enjoying Spring out there!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Becky
Your future self will be so very happy with your present self for doing such hard work now. What a wonderful place to sit and enjoy your garden and your water feature.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Your spot looks fantastic. What hard work, but the payoff was worth it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful spot to sit and relax, sooo nice!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
I love your pond and the sitting area is the perfect addition!
ReplyDeleteThe pond is a lovely area and the tremendous work that leveling the ground was paid of: it seems like a nice place to relax now!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous spot, just gorgeous! I love those rocks and I am so impressed by you guys carrying those rocks! I can relate sister...I use rock to border my front garden and they are not light...We were lucky tho since the garden was in the front, we loaded the truck and pulled the truck right in on the grass close to where it was going...so we got to cheat.
ReplyDeleteAll your hard work paid off though, love your backyard!
It looks so pretty and like a fantastic place to relax!
ReplyDeleteKC
That is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJealous! Your pond is so pretty. We had a huge pond at our last house and it was amazing. We moved two years ago and I haven't been able to convince my husband yet. Our last one was really big and lots of work. We'll do it smaller next time for sure.
ReplyDeleteWe are doing our backyard!! I love the rocks and the chairs finish it off beautifully. thanks for a great post! Found you at A Stroll Thru Life link up.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, what a great spot. I love the rock flooring and how it is tied into the pond. Gorgeous. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea of creating a garden and a pool that utilizes space in their own home land. I think I also will imitate your idea although I have land that is not too big.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a gorgeous yard - I could spend hours and hours out there! Our yard has a natural slope to it and I think it's screaming for a pond and waterfall feature but we're so indecisive about how to build it. I think you just gave me loads of inspiration and I'm definitely pinning this. Thanks so much! Visiting you from Inspire Me Tuesday and a new follower.
ReplyDeleteMarie @ The Interior Frugalista
What a pretty spot to sit and relax...you guys did an awesome job!
ReplyDeleteOMGoodness the whole area is beautiful! We ahve a pond too, new this past fall. If you would like to see it come on over!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://designsbypinky.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-big-reveal-deck-patio-and-pond.html
That came out very nice! You guys did a great job with it! We put in a flagstone patio some years back and I know how it is handling those stones multiple times. I respect the amount of work that goes into a project like this and yes Advil got used more than once! I like your backyard retreat- the pond is wonderful!
ReplyDeletewhat a great spot! enjoy.
ReplyDeletecame over from WOW Wednesday and love what you've done here. Will be back soon to see more. So glad you shared this.
ReplyDeleteDropping by, just left Wow Us Wednesday and wanted to see your shady spot! It's just wonderful and what a peaceful place to relax! I'll be back to see more soon~
ReplyDeleteNancy
This is absolutely gorgeous! I know it is backbreaking work, we have done the same ourselves in the past. I bet you're ready for swimsuit season :) Love the beautiful Adirondacks too! Such a beautiful, inspiring space, I hope you all really enjoy it this summer! xoxo, Andrea
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful..takes me back to when I was a little girl ...my grandfather built a little fish pond on his property and it always seemed magical to me :)
ReplyDeleteYours is wonderful! :)
You did a beautiful job on the seating area! That is a ton of dirt and rocks to be hauling around as well. My goodness. But obviously looking at the before and after it sure looks like it was worth it. Now I hope you can sit back and relax on those chairs:).
ReplyDelete