Water Tanks

We've had three rain water tanks put in, now we need some rain!!

A Dry River Bed

In the vain of a Japanese Garden, we have decided to put in a dry river bed. Having dug out the bed which runs from the tap to the driveway, a few mounds were created to give pride of place to the japanese maples and the chinese elm.

...To this

In the shadier part of the yard, and over the Hydrangeas, a new chicken hutch, with a roof, was built!

From this...

No roof on the chicken hutch meant that of a night, they would fly up into the citrus trees to roost!

The Kaffir Lime Tree

The earth was ready, so in went the Kaffir Lime Tree. Looking a bit droopy in this picture, but hopefully it will pick up.

A pond as well

After flattening the terraces, we had a pond dug out also. It sits on the lower side of the driveway so will be a good spot for all the water to run into.

The bobcat has been and gone

What once was a few terraces and a couple of trees is now a dust pit...or a blank canvas awaiting a masterpiece!

Bring in the bobcat

The trees are cut back, the bricks of the terraces have been removed as much as possible, bring in the bobcat!

The trees being cut back and more bricks going

While the two trees in the front garden are quite well established and provide some privacy, they aren't in our plan for a japanese garden. Cutting them right back to a stump was easy, now it's time for someone to come in to remove them. Meanwhile, more bricks are removed from the lowest part of the terraces, alongside the nature strip.

Removal of the terraces

Some of the bricks in the terraces were easy enough to push over, whereas others needed to be dug out.

Pots under the tap

There's a few succulents, a vietnamese mint, a chinese elm and a japanese maple that sit under the tap. Water hammer alerts us when the tap is being used. The elm and the maple will take pride of place in the front garden.

The dog kennel/chicken hutch and a mound of dirt

The box like structure was built in Edenhope from left over fence palings and was to have a roof intending on housing Buddy, the dog. In Portarlington, Buddy likes the warmth of the garage and the chooks need another home. Some more handywork will turn this into a new house for the chooks. The mound of dirt on the right hand side is a mixture of newspaper, straw, manure and compost in readiness for the kaffir lime tree.

Mini hot house

A design "borrowed" from 2 River Parade, the hot house has been great for raising seedlings. We've had basil, coriander and snow peas that have grown really well, but the mint, thyme and flat leaf parsley haven't been as good.

The fig tree in the corner

After weeding the patch out the side of the house, we've put manure and straw down. The plum trees gave some good fruit when we moved in and the fig tree in the corner is still bearing fruit.

The back garden

The kaffir lime tree made it all the way from Melbourne, minus a few leaves, but with some manure and straw, we've had some new growth and even some fruit. The quince tree in is just about ready for picking. Just beyond it is our vegie garden with celery, cabbage, raddish, lettuce, basil, radish and snow peas. The chicken coup in the background sits in front of the citrus trees that the chickies have taken a liking to and roosting there for the night on a couple of occasions.

Garden under the bedroom windows and the verandah

More of that green grass in front of the house and an impressive bird of paradise bush. Just a few steps lead you up to the front door from under the verandah.

The side and backyard

Again, early photos of the side and backyard, nice lush green grass and great blue skies.

3 Lincoln Drive, Portarlington

These photos were taken back in November, showing the property at its finest, lush green grass, a well established garden, views out to the You Yangs, beautiful blue skies, all ready for a huge transformation.