west yard ~ grading

Following construction of the dikeThe dike was built in the fall of 2002. Robert acquired the property in August 2003., the west yard didn’t drain; it remained wet for a few months after snow melted in spring. In fact, water was retained in the region until late June in 2004 and 2005. A temporary ditch was dug in 2005, both to drain the area and to ascertain the flow of water. Fortunately the west yard is slightly higher than the nursery behind the garage.

digging ~ 07AP22

Landscaping of the west yard began in the summer of 2005 but progressed sporadically; water was required during the process to soften the soil and to determine water levels. Except for what was left from spring thaw — when the ground was still too wet to work — and for a few days after soaking rains, water wasn't regularly available until mid-summer 2006The underground suction line that should have supplied water from the pond to the dwelling unit was ruptured. It was repaired in mid-July 2006. . Installing the babbling brook (to supply water to the area) occupied most of August of that year.

This region was graded mostly by hand. Some scraping of the deepest area was done with a rear blade on the tractor but, by and large, the soil was rearranged with spade, hoe and wheelbarrow.

west yard ~ 06MA07

In September 2006 the wet area was further roughed in and a meandering ditch to drain it was dug; the ditch serves to distribute moisture through more of the west yard.

west yard ~ 07AP16

Configuration of the drainage ditch changed midway through construction: Initially the ditch running from the broad, wet area was too close to the path which runs up the side of the west dike. As mentioned in discussion of the babbling brook, having water there made the soil soft. So the water's exit from the wet area was moved away from the path. And the ditches that drain the rest of the region into the meandering ditch were made into gradual slopes to spread out the puddles. These furrows feed into the winding ditch when it rains and when snow melts in spring.

digging ~ 07AP22

west yard ~ 07MA27

Finishing touches were done in May 2007. The west yard was ready to start planting in June. Raising of the path through the wet area was completed and gravel was added to it later in the summer.

west yard ~ 07JN02

west yard ~ 07MA27-02

The slopes of the dike were then cultivated and smoothed.

west yard ~ 07JL13

west yard ~ 07NO07

construction ~ 2008

dams on drainage ~ 08OC01-02

A stepping stone path was added that goes from the island in the middle of the wet area to the driveway by the post beside the anchor cable for the hydro pole. A couple of largish rocks were placed alongside the path on the island to provide spots to sit and enjoy the area. The drainage dams beside the west end of the garage were reworked. They were subsequently rebuilt in early 2009 after the torrent of water that resulted from late thawing of the ice under the bridges caused the dams to be washed away.

The narrow path that goes from driveway through the sedge meadow and up to the top of the west dike was covered with flax straw in 2010.

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west yard | west yard ~ species table | west yard ~ planting