Ready to party?
Ok, so, it wasn’t exactly as dramatic as a rescue but I did play a part in today’s wedding reception. My client’s daughter is getting married next weekend and there are several wedding receptions scheduled at their house. The first one happened today.
The client gave me exact dates and when I pulled up at the house yesterday, I could hear vacuum cleaners going; and I could see the owner washing windows by the entrance. Inside the window stood his wife, phone in hand, instructing him to remove smudges he couldn’t see.
I could feel the stress and excitement in the air, and I’m not family. I’m their on-call, pricey, gardener for hire.
Details
Now, I knew the landscaping was already in good shape. I did a lot of work around the house earlier in the week, especially out front. That’s where the guests march in, bearing gifts, and where most of the picture taking will take place.
So, the boxwood hedge got clipped nicely but not harshly because I was worried about its survival. It’s been very hot and dry in British Columbia this summer so the owner had strict instructions to water his plants. (It rained yesterday for the first time in a long time.)
I also clipped Pieris japonicas and Pacific Ninebarks; and took out a few Rhododendron bits that stuck out too much, plus Rhododendron leaf drop . Also, the driveway crack weeds had to go.
Then came the details.
I removed spent yucca flower spikes and cut out any brown leaves.
One drain in the back had to be cleaned up because it was full of pine needles and river rock.
I also reset three stepping stones so they wouldn’t be a tripping hazard.
The client’s wife didn’t like the existing black plastic soil guard so I removed it and hid it out of sight.
The highest profile Rhododendron on the back patio used to have Black vine weevils so I gently picked off the worst looking leaves.
The back also gets bombarded weekly by shore pine cones so I had to collect them all.
A borrowed garden hose had to be put away.
The final blow
The critical step happens to be the loudest: a final blow polishes everything up, after the windows get closed. The lucky and lovely bride happily closed all windows for me. And I will see her again soon because there are two more big receptions happening at the house before the wedding.
The back patio had to be spotless.
Servant Vas
The point of this blog post is that not everything is about money. The client here needed my help and, I believe, I got the landscaping looking fine for today’s reception. It feels good to be needed and to have the experience to deliver great service.
I will be back again this week to check on the landscape and cover all details, including the final blow.
Best of luck and a long, happy life together for the couple!
