fire place before and after

Corona shelter-in-place (hoping that sounds really weird in a couple of years) project.  The technique is called German Smear. The product is a slight abrasive feeling mortar mix. I thought I’d like the results, and I do. Was able to retain the the rock texture and integrity while “freshening up” its appearance. We are seriously considering doing the entire outside finish, all Texas limestone, of this house. 

Cost of project - 30 dollar bag of product. May have used 1/4 of a bag....

After

A word of caution though - it is permanent!

Our raised bed "square foot" garden - so far

old picture from Zillow before "the flippers" painted it brown
the sidewalk had helped to create a drainage problem and has been removed - antenna removed and paint changed. I’m 

4'x8'

As the idea evolved, the original bed was dismantled and scooted over towards

the pool to allow the second bed (along with spacing between) to be "centered up" to accommodate the roof trellis to be attached symmetrically to the house.

Yeah, 6 more hard to dig holes!

banding on inside to keep it square

Asparagus bed - planted 2 year old roots in 4'x4' bed

8' long board "treaded" through 4"x4" post - all cedar

"jig" to get the cut right before placing the trellis system

planning on another cedar post (abutting house)
with another cross member like this
eventually a barn door type slider on both ends
the plan is to be able to "close" the two beds and the hallway
 in with fitted panels for winter
- orangery idea from Denver Botanical Gardens
We aren’t planing a “greenhouse” winter crop, it’s to be winter shelter For all the potted plants. 

irrigation for all four (yes only three so far, but the green tub
is situated where the 4th bed will be eventually).
Solid rock below the soil beginning at 6" has really
made trenching difficult!

Lavishing this product on is my only physical contribution
That and enjoying the produce!

the "floor" for the walkways between the beds

will be beautiful next ...

below the hard permeable "hard surface"

there will be an extensive dry well/French drain

to alleviate drainage issues on the property -

something like this that we (mostly L)

installed on the other side of the back yard as this:

The aggregate pavers were buried under years worth of overgrown ground cover and yard debris
otherwise we probably would have chosen plain concrete pavers.
Excuse the yard bag mess! 

My latest brainstorm
this is a mock up,
there's open irrigation trench
where this will eventually "go".
I'll plant chives and a few other pretty
little flowering things around it with the lavender.

The birds are already coming to it!
Hummingbirds quench their thirst while hovering in that little spray!
So fun.

squarefootgardening.org/2018/07/all-new-square-foot-gardening-3rd-edition-coming-fall-2018/

Still sorta messy until the pavers can go down in. 

We’re getting there though!