Matt and I had our fifth wedding anniversary last summer and it was our "wood" year. We said we would build a pergola for our back yard in celebration and this weekend it happened.
With the major score of these old honkin' gorgeous beams from neighborhood pals and the hard work of Matt and his strong little bro, the pergola was born and grew.
This completely changes the feel of the backyard. It defines the space. The main reason to build this is to grow grapes on it -- most likely concord grapes for juice and jelly. What we know about grapes you could write a book about. We have to figure out the best way to plant them and when. With these beams covered in vines they will provide a cool and shady retreat from the city's summer sun.
Under our deck has been the last part of our yard to be worked on. Until now it has been an unsightly mess and, as you can see here, much of it still is. Our goal is to create an outdoor social space that is both fun and practical. This space will continue to evolve, of course, as we find things to install like maybe a hammock?
Last night I went to see Dave Jacke and local Scott Kellogg speak. They are teaching a workshop this weekend called Cracking the Pavement: Ecological Design for Urban Homesteads. I (we) wasn't able to do the entire workshop but the opening talk called An Introduction to Urban Ecological Design was open to the public. I have come away with a better understanding of what permaculture is and am trying to form it into comprehensive thoughts in my brain. Our weekend seems to encompass a lot of what Dave was talking about. The pergola, the neighborhood response, the food growing potential, and an overwhelming feeling of contentment are all one. There are some days when I want nothing to do with living in a city. I dream of owning a sheep and many blueberry bushes but this weekend I love living in my city and my incredible neighborhood and realize maybe an urban berry farm is possible. I am surrounded by people doing great things and growing food (plants and animals) and taking care of eachother. That is, as I understand it, permaculture.