Garden Construction

The Gardens were constructed in phases, from 1999 to 2006

1999 – 2001 The Persian Garden

The land in front of the house has a steep slope. The Persian Garden is built down this slope on a north/south axis, the preferred axis for all Persian Gardens. We terraced this slope into four levels, each with its own pond. The entire slope was made to scale using clay. The clay was then cut and filled to design each level. The clay cut and fill amount was used to calculate how much soil needed to be cut and filled on the site. All trees were placed in the correct position using nails to represent the trees so we could get an accurate count of how many trees needed to be removed.

With the trees removed and the terraces in place, the position and number of the steps leading to each level were calculated. We used pressure-treated lumber for the steps and made the rill in the middle and the risers using cement blocks. The garden’s dimensions and curvature (designed to match the curvature of the arched windows) were determined and drawn on the ground using strings. Electricity and plumbing for each level were installed, the rill position established, and the steps installed.

The ponds were dug, and the lining was installed. The retaining wall on the bottom level and the 12-sided patio with its two-tone bricks defining the star in the middle were built by a contractor. The garden beds were defined, and finally, the blue stone caps were installed by a contractor to complete the hardscape. Blue stones were used to define the garden beds, and finally, the beds were filled with topsoil and planted. We tried to capture the phase of the construction; look at the slide show below.

2000 The Rock Garden

I created the Rock Garden on the slope between the first-floor entry and the basement-level garage to slow down the water from rain and snow and prevent puddles from forming in front of the garage door. It is in a sunny area. The large rocks have 2/3 of them underground, in effect forming underground dams that slow and redirect the water flow. The soil in this area is very porous and sandy. It is covered in gravel that contributes to slowing the water flow. It provides a warm microclimate and is planted with rock garden miniatures and dwarf Japanese maple.

2005 – 2006 The Walled Garden

The Walled Garden was designed and built in 2005-2006. On one side of the walled garden is the greenhouse, which came as a kit and was built first. The two-toned brick wall and its block “windows” were built next to meet up with the greenhouse. The Walled Garden is an eight-sided shape, looking like a STOP sign.   In the Persian garden style, it is divided into four quarters (Chahar-Baag). It is intended as a vegetable and cutting garden. The greenhouse is the winter home for all the tropical and potted plants. The soil in this part of the property is very sandy on the north end, gradually becoming more loamy coming south down the gradual slope. Since the north end gets more sun, there is almost a half agriculture zone difference between the upper beds and the lower beds, with the upper beds almost at zone 8 compared to zone 7b in the Persian Garden. The slide show below shows the progression of the work.