Landscaping Project
I can’t believe it’s been 5 days since I last wrote. Besides the usual excuse that I’m enjoying the sunshine and keeping busy - which I am! - Steve and I have been busy the last two days with a huge landscaping project.
When we bought our home back in late 2006, the only outside landscaping was a gravel driveway. The yard in the front and back were dirt. This isn’t out of the ordinary for new homes in Alaska. Putting in a lawn takes time and care - the time and care most contractors just don’t have, especially when they’re putting up a half dozen houses at a time. And the dirt here isn’t the best for growing grass either. Our soil is mostly silt and clay. The only thing that grows well is moss and other wildflowers that are native to Alaska. Oh, and of course the occasional sunflower, sown by my bird and squirrel guests.
In addition to a lawn, Steve wanted to resurface the driveway, and widen and lengthen it for RV parking. Up until now, the RV has been parked on dirt, which turns to mud every spring. We also wanted to extend the driveway back to the tree line so that we have a level pad for building a storage shed eventually.
We talked to several landscapers before hiring Bren Contracting LLC. Jeremy (the owner) came in with a fair estimate for both the lawn and the driveway, and listened to what Steve wanted to do. After discussing the costs, Steve asked Jeremy if we could get a price reduction if the two of us raked the topsoil, rather than having him do it. He was open to the suggestion, and Steve and I knew we’d be working our tails off. A little sweat equity never hurt anyone! Besides, the exercise would do us good.
Yesterday, Jeremy brought in 5 dump truck loads of topsoil. He used his bobcat to carry loads to different areas of the yard. Steve and I took over then, with rakes that Jeremy supplied. We spread topsoil for about 6 hours. What a workout! My arms are aching a little bit today, and yesterday my back was sore - but we did a good job as a team, and I’m proud of us.
