CityView Magazine

44 | October 2017 courtyard areas and putting in the pool. But the more he did, the more he wanted to do. He was a busy executive, first as manager of Management Recruiters of Fayetteville, then as owner of the firm. Working in the yard was a relaxing diversion from the high-stress profession. It was also a new avenue into which he could pour his ever-active creativity. He started planning bigger projects and consulted local experts, including nursery owner J.F. Dunn. A local landscape worker, Jose Hernandez, started helping Semmes in his spare time and in the years since has become a good friend and a co-creator of the backyard, both in hours of labor and ability to turn Semmes' visions into reality. "ere is no absolutely no way this landscape would exist at this level without him," Semmes said. en there's Linda Semmes. ough the backyard is largely her husband's project, the retired nurse helps and has played key roles in the yard's overall health and viability. Several years ago, she inventoried every plant in the yard and recorded the information in a huge notebook so he'd know what was there. en she told him he couldn't get any more plants until he learned more about how to care for them. At her insistence, he enrolled in the master gardener program at the local office of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. He says it opened up new levels of understanding, experience and access to expertise. "at started to change everything," Semmes said. He consults extension agent Jason Weathington on most changes he plans these days. "e guy is brilliant" on plant diseases, insect problems, watering issues and more, Semmes said. Semmes says there's no graceful way to fit more outdoor rooms in the backyard but he has projects in the works. ey include creating a water feature along one section of a path with an old cast-iron pump once used on his Cajun grandmother's farm in Louisiana. He and Hernandez are going to restake the towering bougainvilleas on the patio so they'll be even taller next year. As the weather turns cool, they will move the cold- sensitive plants into the garage where they'll spend the winter beneath grow lights until spring. He's also planning to help a neighbor turn his backyard into more of a cottage garden. It's clear that while the yard is stunningly beautiful and interesting, it isn't "done." Semmes laughs. It won't ever be done, he says. 910.229.7963 • 6527 Raeford Road, Fayetteville, NC • www.affordablepoolsoffayetteville.com G2 DIAMOND LUXURY SPA Serving Fayetteville and the surrounding communities, we also provide pool repair, maintenance, and cleaning services. Offering in the showroom: Hot Tubs Waterlink Spin Lab (most accurate water testing) Floats Pool Chemicals Automatic Cleaners A F F O R D A B L E P O O L S DISCOUNTS TO MILITARY, POLICE AND FIRE FIGHTERS

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