Building a Round House

Part 5 - Fencing and Landscaping

Winter 2007

One of our earliest landscape (forest-scape) additions were two tree gnomes. (Thanks, Matt!)

Summer 2008

It's taken a while, but we're now working on making the site look better.

With Christy's fence-building experience from Montana last summer, we built a modified "jack fence" between the propane tank and the shed. Also added a compost bin in the back corner. This was all made from scrap lumber left over from the house. Christy wants fruit trees planted between the fence segments.

By February 2023, it's not longer obvious that we even have a fence there.

The "guardrail" on the house side of the parking area is made from 4x4s reclaimed from our old "Sky Fort". John supplied the muscle to drive the rebar in the joints.

By February 2023, the trees really obscure the view (despite frequent removal and trimming) - but provide welcome shade!

The remaining fence took the better part of a week to work on, and required a bit of new lumber. The main reason for this fence is to give the dogs a secure run. Of course, it was also in the upper 90's the whole week of work.

First there were post holes to dig and posts to set.

Grass is hard to grow on rock!

As part of the fence, we had to make three gates (only two show here). We also added a gutter and rain chains over the front door. In the fall, we added a rainbarrel under each rain chain.

The completed job.

We added two planter-boxes, but landscaping will be a multi-year endeavor!

Summer 2013

After five years, the rough edges have softened somewhat. The flower boxes are difficult to see now as the contents have spread.

Columbine has expanded nicely!

The day lilies have already been thinned once.

Lavender and rosemary grow well in the dry slope garden below the old deck. Lots of other things have been planted, but the rabbits like to eat!

The most recent addition is the shade garden. Lots of hostas and coral bells with a columbine or two thrown in. The cages are an attempt to keep the rabbits from snacking on the coral bells.

Summer 2021

We've added a ramp and more deck. There is a large raised bed and two relocated planters yet to come. Landscaping takes time!

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