Garden Project

[WVBill]

Like Thomas' post in the Off Topic section, My wife, the "landscape designer" decided that she wants to put a "patio garden" in our back yard. Attached picture shows a mosaic panorama of the way the yard was and the first few steps toward the goal. Yes, it would have been a lot easier if she had made this decision before she had me put up the decorative fences last summer - but I just drive the tractor, boss.

The pictures are taken from our deck. The yard slopes down about 16 - 20 inches in the 30' from the bottom of the deck to the garden with the picket fence so to lay a brick patio so we can have table and chairs, I need to level some of the area (about 20' by 20') out - and lower it below the flower beds so I can lay a proper gravel base for the brick pavers. I'm planning on a round patio about 16' diameter.

Oh by the way, can it be done by 4th of July, honey?[img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

I started about 7:30 Sunday and finished about 4:30. Approach was to till up the grass and remove that layer with the FEL then repeat until I got down to near level. Next week I'll attack it with the box blade to smooth it out. Got to order gravel this week. Let's see 20' x 20' x 4" deep would be about 4 1/2 yards of gravel, right?

[TerryinMD]

WVBill,

Looks like a good start to your project. My guesstimation is about 4.9 (call it 5) cubic yards of gravel - (20*20*.3333333)/27 = 4.9nnnnnnn).

Let us know the results. OBTW - have you asked your "landscape designer" about moving the fences. That patio will change the aspects of the views which will need..... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Got to ask another question - where will you place your rusted Chevy planters!! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img] Being from a border state, couldn't resist the temptation to take a swipe at a friendly neighbor!!!

Terry

[WVBill]

The Chevy planter is out front, just past the 8 foot satellite dish where we can admire it from the old couch on the front porch. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

The fence on the left there is strategically placed to screen the back yard from the view of the "neighbors". They're almost 1/4 mile away but she's a real B---h who watches the whole neighborhood through her binoculars - really!

[TerryinMD]

Ahhh... a good sensa humor!! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Oh... oh... wait - seems like your missing some of the other valuable decorating items - broken appliances. An old washer or dryer makes a handy cooler during the summer. Heck - ya fill it up with your favorite beverage, a little water, some ice. You're good to go for at least a day!! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

Shame to hear about the local neighborhood witch, err, watch. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img] Every neighborhood has one - always adds to the local flavor. So, what you're saying is that the "landscape designer" will not be making any "adjustments" to the plan - well, at least for the time being.... [img]/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif[/img]

Terry

[Thomas]

Oh thanks a heap Bill,for I thought I was done w/our garden project until my better half [img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img] the picket fence in your garden <font color=red>and now she wants me to build a couple<font color=red><font color=black>[img]/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif[/img]

I hope our better half never meet or you and I won't have much of a summer. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Keep sending the photos for we are very interested.

Aren't those little compact tractor a gem when it comes to work like that. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[billboe]

Hey Bill,

From the picture, it looks like you are tilling in circles... I read a bit of a tiller manual a while back I and I believe it said to never "turn" while the tiller is engaged with the ground. Thinking about it, I can see how that may cause problems.

Any tiller experts care to comment?!!?


Thanks,

[WVBill]

billboe: Hmmm. I think you may be right. Turning while tilling probably puts side-load stresses on the tiller it wasn't designed for. I hadn't thought about that before.

Thomas: Don't let your wife see this but the picket fence was quite easy - it's vinyl fence sections from Lowes - same with the arbor and the other fence sections. I like building things but hate maintenance - particularly painting fences, so I went the Vinyl route.

Terry: ""adjustments" to the plan"!? - you're assuming there is a "plan" [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]. Well, yes, there is a "picture" in her head. She's very good at visualizing things - just not commiting them to paper.

[TerryinMD]

WVBill,

She knows exactly what she wants - and she'll let you know exactly when she wants it!! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I know that I'm in trouble as soon as hear the following from my wife - "I've been thinking........" [img]/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif[/img] sigh!!!!

Terry

[Golfgar4]

<font color=blue>"I know that I'm in trouble as soon as hear the following from my wife - "I've been thinking........"</font color=blue>

OR........."I've got this idea........"[img]/w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/crazy.gif[/img]

[TerryinMD]

Sounds like a new post with the heading {You know your in trouble when you hear "I ....." from your wife.} [img]/w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif[/img]

Ain't married life a hoot!! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img][img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Terry