Renovating the Backyard

   / Renovating the Backyard #1  

kday64

Gold Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2010
Messages
350
Location
South Eastern Connecticut
Tractor
Kubota BX2360
Day One

When I am done I there will be a small retaking wall and level soil ready for seed.
 

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   / Renovating the Backyard
  • Thread Starter
#2  
Day Two

Hauled off the stumps and moved some boulders around the yard.
 

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   / Renovating the Backyard #3  
Looks like an ambitious project!!!!! How big of an area are you working on?

Eddie
 
   / Renovating the Backyard
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Eddie, my house sits on 3/4 of acre. I cleared 16-4", 2-6", 2-10' trees. All in about a 30x15" are

Started working in two areas at once while I had the mini-ex. The first area is the back left corner of the property (behind the shed), the path into the woods was to narrow for my BX to navigate. The second area is the back right corner of the property. This area was largely overrun by vines, unwanted trees and boulders. In the pictures you can see where I pushed to boulders back to form a rock wall. The retaining wall will be 36" high and about 60-70' long.

Day three is turning out to be a wasted work day. Wife got asked to work, so I am baby sitting our 15 month old. This is only the fourth day I have ever spent all day with him alone/unsupervised. My work makes me travel, a lot.
 
   / Renovating the Backyard #5  
Nice project.

Spending a day with your 15 month old is never a wasted day. On the other hand, when our oldest was about that age, he would scream his head off the minute Mom left and go on until she came back. We survived it, but it did make me feel sort of useless. :)
 
   / Renovating the Backyard
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Dave, yesterday was not a wasted day. Yesterday was the time first my son ran up to me and gave me a hug. So happy! He has been hugging mommy for months.

Wife is home today, so I can get back to work. This is my second trailer full of brush.

I never know how much slack to give the breakaway cable... I will post more in the transportation forum.
 

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   / Renovating the Backyard
  • Thread Starter
#7  
4th day of work. 1st day of learning how to build a wall.

I am using Niclock Serafina Oyster Blend stones.
 

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   / Renovating the Backyard #8  
I like the serpentine layout. Some nifty stuff can be done with the cast concrete products.
 
   / Renovating the Backyard #9  
Nice job.

How tall are you making the retaining wall?

In most cases you want to slant the wall towards whatever you are retaining. It is probably ok for 2 or 3 layers (including the base layer), but any higher than that, and you definitely want to slant it back towards whatever you are retaining. The slant helps keep the wall from being pushed over by the dirt behind it. That is why this style of brick has the little nub at the back to help hold it in place, and get the slope right.

CrestoneII_Qgray.jpg
 
   / Renovating the Backyard
  • Thread Starter
#10  
This wall will be less than 3' tall. Newer small retaining walls are going to a "no lip" style block. But I was concerned as well and then called around to some local hardscapers. (3 of them) They all agreed less than 3' I am good so long as I glue the blocks together using PL Premium.
 
 
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