Walking down the path along side of Carmen and Jean Leduc’s home in
Val Caron, doesn’t prepare you for the surprise that awaits when you
open the beautiful iron garden gate. Once inside their backyard, the
feeling of being at some southern resort immediately comes to the
forefront. The gorgeous pool catches the eye and beckons one to dip their
toes into the cool water on a hot summer day. Jean says it was originally
an above ground pool, but 4 years ago they decided to turn it into an
inground. Zoe just couldn't resist posing by the pool for the camera lens.
All the iron trellises, arches and gates in the Leduc yard, were made
my Jean himself, a welder. The intricate grapevine covered trellis
pictured above, could stand alone as a piece of art without anything
growing on it for support. Jean mentioned that he has another trellis in
the works and hopes to have it completed this summer.
Their lovely corner pond was only installed during the summer of 2002,
yet already is home to many luscious water plants and approximately 13
fish, including goldfish, koi and one shubukin. The fish are kept in their
winter home in a 55 gallon aquarium in the Leduc’s basement. Jean has
also made his own cement moulds and proudly displays the handmade Chinese
lanterns on display in the flower beds.
Wanting to conserve on water in the summertime, Jean has installed a
computerized, underground watering system which uses less than half the
water of conventional sprinklers, and only requires the system to be on
for 10 minutes on watering days to keep the lawn and gardens looking their
best.
Jean admits that his wife Carmen has also been bitten by the gardening
bug over the last number of years, and now shares in his enjoyment. He did
say he has to watch her though with the shears, and makes sure she now
asks him before she happily starts cutting away.
All in all, what better way is there to relax than to spend time in
such a lovely backyard.
