Groundwork Days
Courtyards
We removed shrubs on both sides of the front door, revealing the full length of the windows and the provocative rhythm of solids and voids across the facade; we also uncovered grading and drainage issues that need our attention. English ivy had climbed up the facade at the edge of the right bed, consumed several areas of the lower courtyard, and reached up and over front and side screens.
We are clearing the ivy from the bricks (yes, we will be removing the dead ivy from the bricks soon!) and the concrete, halting its infiltration into the walls and preventing future structural damage.
We had more than 50 stumps ground; we exposed drainage issues in the upper courtyards, which we are working to resolve. We are reusing cardboard and paper as weedbarrier under a layer of wood chips. (Thank you, Appleseed Tree Service, a Decatur neighbor!)
We are working in consultation with the Center for Sustainability as well as Facilities colleagues and All Outdoor folks on solutions, designs, and future plantings.
Secret Garden
In the secret garden, we are did more tidying up than taking our, though our longterm plan is to remove the flagstone/cement pathway and replace it with more accessible and pervious surface, ultimately to remake this garden into an area for gathering and relaxation as well as outdoor sculpture and installations, functional and beautiful extensions of the reading room and gallery.
