It is not often that we are given the luxury of developing a garden from the ground up.  This client from Hartford Connecticut was “all in” for a relaxed Virginia farmhouse look.  We started with the hardscaping.

In the front, grading left us with a very steep hill to the front porch.  We created a dry lay walkway in stone dust on this steep hill to promote a farmhouse look.  We had to lay a block base at each landing and fill it with crusher run to support the base of the walkway.  Erosion and heavy rains would dissolve the structure otherwise.  These 5 feet wide, 7-inch high stone steps took 4 strong men to move, especially after the hurricane where the mud became a slip and slide.  The Van Tassel stone stacked wall at the base of the stairs is a stunning first feature that you see as you enter the property from a hilly, winding driveway.

Here is a “Before and After Picture” of a raised brick paver terrace we designed and built in the back of the house.  Lots of layering and tamping of crusher run gravel goes into the cinder block base of the brick faced terrace to match the grade of the fireplace.  The pavers here are a 6-pattern design.  The steps are bluestone treads which add another dimension into the color scape.

 Notice the pathway edged in steel for a cheap but neat and tidy alternative.  We will add a thin layer of tan crusher run on top after the lawn is seeded and the construction workers finally leave.

Christie lives in Manakin Sabot , Virginia where she manages a 3 acre garden. Her blogs are written from her 35 years as a personal and professional gardener.