Once upon a time before half of New York City moved to Texas the place I live was a farm. Storms, regular use and time took its toll on some fo the old buildings. Debris was recycled to confine all the stray ducks, chickens and goats that wandered in. If no one claimed them they stayed.

Those people from up north started looking at the way we lived and decided that our cities were much too agrarian in character. They started looking for ways to make Texas into what they had left behind. What they failed to realize was that by making these changes they were removing viable sources of income and food from the suburban residents. Did I mentino that these sources of income and food were sustainable? I guess that's why they call it progress.

To better conceal the existance of our foul and hoof stock the pen was moved further back from on the property. The old pen was redesignated for gardens and a green house. Since the area is in a state of flux it was named The Construction Zone Garden.

The new garden started here.

The garden came into form over the course of several years. With the installation of a water feature it has entered phase two of developement. This is the staring point for phase two.

The assorted pieces of corrugated metal were collected and recycled. The Dead trea was converted into a bed for Oyster Mushrooms and the residue became the base for a compost pile.

The water feature was originally to be dug out and then planted with Iris, cattails, false papyyus and a variagated calamus. The acquisition of a hot tub changed the plans. THe hot tub was set into the old water puddle. It is supported with cinder blocks at the corners. Shims were used at each corner to accomodate the variances in height from corner to corner. The tub was filled and allowed to stand overnight. It was drained and sand was added at the appropriate places to ensure that the tub stays level.

All of the plumbing was capped off with the exception of one 1.5 inch flex line. A Ball valve was attached there to be used as the foundation for a future manifold.

The cosmetics needed improvement.

A roll of weed block became a skirt, concealing rhw plumbing.

Each side was trenched, and then dressed with containerized plants. Each Corner was dressed with a potted lilly (identity unknown), as they were rescued from a house repair.

A pedestal was created on one side to allow a filter to be put on the tub so that live fish can live with the plants.

A couple of days after the filter was installed three of the hibiscus bushes bloomed. The white flowers at the right are Wooly Hibiscus.

Additinoal features being created will have a variety of water plants including water chestnuts. Sorry, no film... I mean pictures but then, this isn't the 11 o'clock news