April 13, 2009

Paper, Dirt, Buckets...and Bamboo!

As a recap form the last post, after much clean up, we received a call from our "generous neighbors" that we would be able to have some young specimens from their grove (they were thinning it out) of the bamboo genus Phyllostachys. We were THRILLED.

The only catch is the delivery date was TBD and we needed a ton of topsoil to prep the bamboo planter box.

A quick call to J&L Landscaping (and then a "help" call to several friends) and we were scheduled for a delivery of their best top soil.

Larry at J&L had figured we would need approximately 3 1/2 yrds. of soil to fill the box, with a tad left over to spread around. At $65/yrd. (with delivery) we figured it was a good deal. In prep for the delivery, and bucket brigade through the house, we cleared away furniture and plants and laid down contractor paper (no need to scratch up the oak floors).

Photo: one HUGE pile of topsoil (tarped, of course)

Delivery was made bright and early and to our surprise, more like 4 1/2 to 5 yrds. were dumped! (though we only paid for the 3 1/2 yrds)

While a blessing in disguise (I guess), we started schlepping what must have been several hundred bucket loads through our wee tikihouse to the back yard boxes...and planters...and yard...and to a neighbor's yard...I think you get the picture.

Photo: More buckets than you can shake a stick at (or a shovel)

Photo: Mrs. Tikihouse "bucketing" through the house

Photo: Buckets into the planter

Photo: Raising the grade of the yard, one bucket at a time

We had a ton of dirt. 3 full hours of work by 5 people (thanks to our neighbor and friends!) and we were finished.

Photos: Filled up and cleaned up: planter box and backyard

Ultimately we were able to fill the planter box, level the right had side of the yard to grade (approx. 2-3 inches) and spread around more dirt to areas of the garden, including a large pile whose use is still TBD. And man were Mr. and Mrs. Tikihouse pooped.

We were on call for the delivery (plants were too big for our humble car) for about a week, with the rain (and subsequent mud) not a friend to us, nor the bamboo transplanting.

Finally the day arrived and we received our delivery from our neighbors. Generous indeed! We thought we would receive 4-5 plants (more than enough to get started). We had a bonus of 7 plants total, plus some young rhizomes that hopefully will take and mature.

Photo: Buckets of bamboo

We made quick work of getting our new bamboo in the ground, as our neighbor had told us the wind (more than being dry) would affect the plants first and foremost.

Photo: Mrs. Tikihouse digging the trench (yes, Mr. Tikihouse helped too!)

We chose to spread them in a straight line across the planter box, digging a trench first, then dropping in the plants, leveling them out and back filling with top soil.

About an hour or so (plus clean up) we had our babies in and our tallest specimen (7 ft.) staked and watered.

We are so happy! Having actual plants in the planter box has made all the difference in beginning to soften the hardscape work done in the fall.

Photo: The bamboo, all planted and staked up

Next up, work with our designer Diana at Fun City Design on the planting plan, including a cool CAD based diagram of where sunlight will be at different times of the day (and seasons). Stay tuned.

Posted by tikihouse at 9:00 AM | Comments (3)
Categories: Phase 2, Spring 2009, bamboo, top soil

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