We had originally wanted to make our own clay pavers from locally quarried clay as mentioned in Christopher Alexander’s “Pattern Language”, a great design manual. He suggests that this sort of paver would blend well with the natural surroundings – a little dip here, a little slant there and perhaps some grass growing between. But we came to our senses and realized that was too much work and probably beyond our skill level. Then we thought about hiring out, but that was going to be too much for our budget. Several friends mentioned trenching, laying crushed rock and generally making a project of it. But we wanted something simple that would look country like the clay pavers we had envisioned. Well, fools always seem to have a clear road ahead of ‘em and we were set on walking that way.

So, we jumped right in. We scrapped away the weeds and, more or less, leveled the clay soil, tossing the rocks away. Then we placed our pavers three deep around the house. Tired, but done, we gazed at our work – it was too bad. Winter came along and the pavers settled in and so did the weeds. By spring we could barely see the pavers for the weeds – big nasty ones too. This spring we are pulling up the pavers and removing the weeds, roots and all, but before we put them back down (four deep this time), we have laid down some weed cloth. We also filled the spaces between the pavers with soil so we could plant scotch moss. This time, despite our hokey approach, we think we got what we want.

If you aren’t comfortable just going for it as we did, you might dig around on the web for advice. We found a couple of websites you might want to look at

- http://www.ehow.com/concrete-pavers/

- http://www.concretepaversguide.com/how-to-install-concrete-pavers-yourself.html

- http://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-install-a-paver-sidewalk/index.html

- http://www.wikihow.com/Install-Pavers

Good luck with your project!

In the US, the tree peony is hardy from zone 4 to 9. The fall is the best time to plant a tree peony. New roots develop and grow rapidly in 77 to 64 degrees temperature before dormancy in winter. When the temperature goes below 40 degrees, the plant stops growing. In early spring as soon as the temperature is above 40, it starts to grow again. Cover with remay for warmth to encourage quick rooting before dormancy.

Tree peony likes dry and cool weather. It does not require a long period of extreme cold in order for it to bloom in the spring. A period of 30 to 45 days of 32 to 41 degree temperature is enough to insure tree peonies to bloom. In the southern US states where there is heavy rain fall and the temperature often reaches above 90 degrees during the summer, they will be able to grow and bloom in the spring, provided they are planted in a location with good drainage, sufficient ventilation, and under semi-shade. You might consider a covered hoop to help keep them dry and warmish initially.

Storing bare-root tree peony

If your tree peony comes in bare-root form it should be planted as soon as possible upon arrival. However, if you need to store it for a few days, it should be kept cool and moist in a moisture retaining pack such as sawdust or peat moss. Remember the tree peony is a hardy plant.

Selecting a site

Tree peony can be planted under full sun or part sun. It requires at least 4 to 5 hours of sun light daily. In areas where it is very hot in the spring, during the blooming season, the heat causes the flowers to wilt and drop fast. In this case, it is better to plant it in a semi-shady area. Good drainage is essential. In a lowland during the summer where accumulated rain water can cause root rot, it may be fatal. However, you can provide better drainage by planting it on a gentle slope or in a raised bed. Avoid planting tree peonies near large trees which may draw the necessary nutrients away from the peonies.

Preparing the soil

Chinese tree peony likes loamy soil with high humus content to a depth of at least 2 feet. It grows best in soil with a ph of 6.5 to 7.5.

Here are some pictures of peonies that we have grown -

We have a lot of plants we are getting up to speed at Milewide Nursery, but two of my favorites are the native Oregon White Oak seedlings that I have started and the 2nd year bright red Japanese Maples that are getting up to size.

I had virgin oak savanna meadow soil last year and since then I have tilled my garden rows several times. I added lots of compost too. This fall I planted a fava bean cover crop down each row and before the beans podded up, I cut them down in place. Legumes like fava fix nitrogen and create a substanial root mass – both these things help to prep my soil. Its actually very cool; you can see little balls of nitrogen attached to the roots if you pull a plant up. I plan to use hoops (concrete wire) and plastic on my beds to give things an extra start (and to protect them against the crows). I will use hoops up behind my house as well. My home is built into a hillside so that the flat roof lines up with the ground and the hill behind has been terraced. I have turned two of the terraces into vegetable beds. That’s where I plan to put my first covered lettuce.

And, now, its raining so hard that I can’t plant anything.

I folded some laundry and checked some email, thinking enough time had passed I let the dogs out.  Immediately I noticed them looking in the direction Steve had driven, but I told them to stay and went back inside.  I packed up my stuff and headed to my car.  And as I’m sure you’ve already guessed, the dogs were gone.

“Shoot!” I thought (edited for sensitive eyes) and headed out to look for them.  My dog, Basil, was with them so I started calling her name.  I drove out the top road, thinking they couldn’t have gotten far but didn’t find them.  So I headed back to my parents house, thinking maybe they circled around.  Nope.  So I went to the barn, not there.  Finally I drove down to my brothers house.  Not there either.  So I went back to the barn, told one of our employees to keep an eye out for them and please take care of my dog for the night if they showed up.  “No problem” she said, and I headed on my way home…knowing I was bound to find them on the road.

Every corner I drove around I expected to see them.  And no dogs.  I was almost to the end of the road and I was starting to get really worried.  If they made it all the way to the pavement, they were in trouble.  People drive fast and carelessly on that road, they could get hurt.  And they are three beautiful and sweet dogs, they might let anyone pick them up!

I was coming around the last corner before the gate and I see one of our neighbors parked.  She’s next to her truck throwing little chunks of bread at Basil trying to get her to come to her.  Basil is just jumping around, playing hard to get, and a little frightened.  I run up and grab her, thanking my neighbor.  She said she saw the other two dogs running up the road.  We both hoped in our trucks and headed after them.

They were only a couple hundred feet away from the pavement when we finally caught up to them.  They were both exhausted and rather happy to see me.  Oona, the younger of the two, immediately tried to jump in the back of my car.  She’s huge and almost didn’t make it.  Xara, our old girl, needed help getting up.

And there I was, a 70lb Doberman and two 100lb + Rottweilers squeezed into the back of my SUV.  It was quite a sight I’m sure.

I drove into town, knowing where Steve was, and loaded them into the back of his truck.  I left him a voice mail explaining what happened, which of course he didn’t get until after he saw the dogs in the back of his truck.  But now we know, Just take them with you Steve, ’cause that’s where they want to be.