With the flowerbed laid out, now it's time to add Asian-inspired plantings. There isn't a lot of color in Asian gardens, but architecture within the plants as well as contrasting textures -- fine-textured (figure A), spiky (figure B) and variegated -- will add interest to the space.
One particularly large rock has been saved to act as a focal point in the garden, and the team members carefully move it into place. Next to it Dean is planting a lace-leaf weeping Japanese maple, which will spill over the rock and add contrasting softness to the hard surface (figure C).Once all the plants have been added to the flowerbed, a layer of pea gravel is added over the topsoil (figure D).
Meanwhile, the members of the mosaic crew turn their attention to their project, which has rested overnight to give the thin-set time to harden. First the panels are attached to the posts with galvanized screws. Then the grout is applied (the screws were driven first so they could be covered by the grout) in a thin layer and allowed to set for about 30 minutes. Once it's adequately dry, the resulting film is wiped off carefully with a damp sponge.Dean has constructed a simple frame from 1x2s for each panel. The frames are nailed in place to each backboard to keep the tiles and mortar in place.
RESOURCES :
Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.porter-cable.com
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