Summer of 2007

This swale carried large amounts of water after a heavy rain and always overflowed over the sidewalk and into the owners' front yard.

Note that the swale is about two feet below the level of the road. Ths means that a plant four feet tall would appear to be only two feet tall when observed from the sidewalk or road.

The inflow culvert is visisble at the top of the photo and the outflow is at the lower left hand corner. We cleared the work with the city ... is a good idea for everybody to follow.

The area was herbicided, rototilled about two weeks later, planted and mulched. Rock and log design features were added for artistic appeal. Special consideration was giving to the inflow and outflow culvert openings.

Naturally, Toby helped in his own special way

Tony is finishing up the stone work around the outflow culvert.

Toby is inspecting Tony's work. He always gives his approval.

A year later, the Summer of 2008, the garden has really filled in. Many of the flowers are blooming. See the pea gravel streambed running the length of the swale.

By mid-October 2009 you can no longer see the streambed. The garden has survived and flourished despite being a banquet hall for rabbits.

A tall Joe Pye Weed, Eupatorium purpureum, is at home midway down the swale. Although about six feet tall it appears much shorter because of the depth of the swale.

The Art and Linda's logo sign as well as the Conservation@Home sign are proudly displayed in this garden. We put in these two signs separately before it came to us we could put them both on the same stake.