PHASE ONE

SPRING, 1999 - SPRING, 2001

Phase one involved the initial preparation of the site an the establishment of a border between the rock garden proper and a busy street that borders the college campus.

The Lombardy poplars were removed and approximately 120 yards of pit run overlain with top soil used to create a berm where the border was to be developed along the west edge of the garden. The border planting is approximately 200 feet in length and about 50 feet in width. There were 87 conifers and deciduous trees planted in this border. They were all between six and ten feet tall.

Irrigation lines were run through the rock garden area and along the berm during this phase. Also the turf plots were removed and a number of other large plants were either transplanted or cut down.

 Here Bob is inspecting the completed berm with a number of rocks in their final positions.

This series of pictures show the first donation from Dianne and Bob Fincham being unloaded from the rental truck and planted into the berm.

 Luckily the truck had a lift gate.

 Most of the plants were in 30 inch tubs and from six to ten years old.

 All of the plants were set in position before the planting was begun.

 The Bobcat was used extensively throughout this whole project.

 The plants were given plenty of space.

 The students used handcarts as well as the Bobcat for moving plants.

 Dianne enjoying a little shade.

 Steve helping position one of the Japanes black pines.

 When the actual planting began, things moved right along.

 Wood chips were scattered around each plant to help retain water and control weeds for the first year.

 Some of the rocks were large and impressive. They were used as accents in the berm garden.

 The beeches had a variety of colors and narrow growth habits.

 Steve taking a well earned break.

 Planting just about completed.

 Finish up a few odds and ends.

 Fagus sylvatica 'Purple Fountain' and 'Dawyck Gold'

 Poplars are gone and the berm is planted.