One of the projects for the side garden has always been to build a place for the barbecue. Most of the time the barbecue has sat in the back garden where level ground is a scarcity. With most of the work finished on the side garden, and the small boulder out of the way, I decided to build the barbecue area.

I began by removing a small stump left when I cut down a couple of small trees this spring since they were too close to the shed. Once the stump was gone, I started on the task of raising the area so it would be level. I had to bring in a few wheelbarrows of soil to level the area and I tamped each load firmly in place so I would not have to worry about it sinking later. Once I had the area raised to the proper height and levelled, I added sand to the area and tamped it as well. Once the sand was tamped into place, I levelled it as well, going back and forth until I had it firmly packed and levelled.

I had someone to give me some left over terra-cotta tile and I decided to use it for the surface of my barbecue area. So far the only cost to building the barbecue area was the cost of my own labour. I placed a taught string across the area where the barbecue would be and use it as a straight edge to lay the tile. I then preceded to place the tile one by one until I had them all in place. Since the tiles are not all exactly the same size, there will be some cracks. Using a broom, I added sand across the area to fill in the larger cracks and then swept the excess sand off to the side.

Once the barbecue area was finished, I added some of the wood chips that cover the side garden area. The wood chips are free as well; I am using the chips that the road crew generated when they removed the winter storm damage. My sitting boulder is off to the side where the barbecue will be, so I can sit there as I cook on the barbecue. Eventually when I have the money, I will pour concrete and stamp a pattern into the concrete for a permanent barbecue area. However, for now my little barbecue area will be more than adequate.

Astilbe "Visions" far shot

Astilbe "Visions" close shot

My Astilbe, cultivar Visions, is continuing to do quite well. My Astilbe was a gift from my Aunt. One day as I was visiting, she pointed to the Astilbe in her garden and asked me if I would like to have it. I said yes without hesitating and we dug it up and I brought it home with me.

Astilbes grow well in light to moderate shade; in cooler climates they might do well in a an area with part sun. I had planned on creating a border garden on the other side of the drive. Since there are large trees on that side of the drive, I was going to create a shade garden. I started with hostas; however, the voles soon devoured them and I had to salvage what was left and relocate them to the side garden. When my Aunt gave me the Astilbe, I planted it on the other side of the drive in the planned shade garden. The first year, even though I kept it watered, it die back to the ground. Full grown oak trees can really suck the water from the ground and my Astilbe just could not compete.

I was surprised when the next spring I saw my Astilbe come to life. Again I worked to keep it watered, however, once again it died back to the ground. I was sure that it was over for my Astilbe this time. I was really surprised to see the Astible sprout the following spring and I decided that I needed to relocate it. One day I got the spade and dug up the Astilbe with a generous root ball and plopped it down beside the Azalea bush in the front garden with the intention of finding a new location later. Later never came and my Astilbe did quite well beside the Azalea, actually continuing to grow and bloom. Since my Astilbe liked living beside the Azalea bush, that is where I left it. Last year I did moved it over slighly so it would not be so much under the Azalea as it was.

Astilbes are easy to grow in the home garden. They prefer light to moderate shade with moist soil but avoid areas that stand in water. A good indication of an area that will stay too wet is if you see puddles still standing five hours after a heavy rain. If you still want to plant in the area, raise the level of the soil first. Astilbe "Visions" will reach a height of 38 to 46 cm (15 to 18 in.) with a similar spread. Astilbes are hardy zones 3 to 8 with a soil ph range of 5.5 to 6.5.

There was a small boulder, or actually half of a small boulder since one side is flat, beside the shed that I had always intended to move into the side garden. I thought it would make a great seat and could also function as a table when I moved my barbecue to the side garden. I had manage to move it only a short distance and there it sat for the last few years. This year I decided that I was going to finish the side garden once and for all. I had some trouble removing the remains of a tree that we cut down when we constructed the shed and my hands and arms have been sore and painful for the last couple of weeks.

The small half boulder

It is hard to judge from the photograph the size of this small boulder. Measuring the flat side the dimensions are 99 cm (39 in) by 74 cm (29 in) at the largest measurement as it tappers along the length. With the boulder sitting on the ground I could not manage to bulge it at all. I knew I would need some help moving this small boulder so I contacted a friend and asked him if he could assist me; this was on May 26. My friend told me that he would be able to help me on June 4 and we set the date. However, I ended up working on that date and had to cancel; my friend said he would check his schedule and let me know when he would be available to help. I have yet to hear from my friend and decided today that I would not wait any longer and would just do the best I could on my own.

I knew that to move the small boulder I would have to rely on the knowledge of physics and statics and dynamics I gained when I attended engineering school. For example, if you support a large mass on a pin, you can easily rotate that mass even if you are unable to move the same mass when it is not on the pin. The difficulty in the job was the problem of being in two places at the same time. I could easily lift the small boulder with a lever, but I was unable to then place anything under the small boulder to use as the pin. This is where my friend was going to assist me, and when I first asked him, I told him I would do the work; I just needed some help. Those of you that have a companion that you can count on to help you don't know how lucky you are.

I struggle with moving the small boulder for several hours, I would guess at least five and maybe longer. It was hot and humid today and I became soaking wet from my own sweat from the exertion. Mum use to scold me for doing such things; she was afraid that I was going to hurt myself. I think it may be time that I started to listen to what Mum told me. Part of the problem was that when I got it close to where I wanted it, a tree root at the surface was in the way. I could not find the proper leverage to make the boulder slide instead of rocking. Again, I had to analyse the motion of the small boulder and decide on how to redirect the force; and you thought you would never need to know the things you were being taught in physic class. I wanted to place the small boulder against the trunk of a tree so the tree could act as a back rest and it was a difficult task to get it in the correct position.

The small boulder in place (front view)

The small boulder in place (above view)

As you can see in the photographs, I did manage to finally get the small boulder in place and stable. I may work on the underpinnings more later; however, it is stable enough for use. Near the tree the small boulder has a rounded depression that is perfect for one's buttocks, although the length is not long enough to use to stretch one legs out completely; at least not when you are tall and have long legs like I do. At the end away from the tree, it is flat and can be used as a seat or a table. When I complete the side garden, I am going to use some terra-cotta tiles that were a freebie to make a slightly raised area for the barbecue.