New Project: The Graveyard (I mean Backyard) Renovation...

[G-Benz]

Finally got tired of having the yard most likely to host the "Neighborhood Haunted House". So this year, I'm getting some things done that will at least make it palatable. Not a pool and jungle theme or anything...just a plain old yard that I don't have to maintain. And I don't have to close the curtains when guests arrive!

First off, I had to sell the playset. Good thing I restored it earlier this year.




About five months ago, we listed it on Craigslist and it sold in three days! So now, this is what's left.




The perimeter will be dug out and new sod will replace it. St. Augustine from the neighbor's yard had started taking over the existing Bermuda grass, so that is what will be used.

We had landscaping done about a decade ago, and lack of maintenance hasn't helped. The tree on the right was chosen by the first landscaper to hide the utility equipment, but instead, it just grows wildly, and it's exposed anyway. This tree is going to be removed!





A former neighbor hinted to us that the first landscaper never used topsoil before planting. So the current foliage is anemic in some areas, and the poor drainage washed out what was left of the mulch and other treatments. So weeds grow instead.



Asian Jasmine ground cover will inudate the entire landscape...problem solved. Almost no maintenance needed.

[G-Benz]

The Bradford Pear trees need to be pruned, and their ample shade has decimated nearly all of the Bermuda grass that used to occupy the yard (Bermuda is NOT shade tolerant). Reseeding is not an option. We are at the lowest elevation on the street, so all of the runoff ends up going through our yard.



St. Augustine sod will be planted in the less shady areas, but there will be a rock pebble surface where the runoff naturally moves.


With the lack of turf, the topsoil easily washed away over several years, exposing the slab and the risk of foundation issues. I measured and estimated that we lost about 3-4" of topsoil in this area.



This will have a planted area with shrubs and other foliage, after the topsoil is renewed.



Although it's not in the runoff path, is is a sloped elevation, so about an inch or so of topsoil has eroded.



This corner of the house will also get some landscaping near the house to reduce erosion.

[G-Benz]

Landscaping crew arrives today to access the work and begin excavation and grading. I decided to do some pre-work myself.

I got rid of some pathetic looking bushes that had little to no foliage. Broke a shovel in the process.




The line leading from the timer to the landscape lighting was buried about an inch or so down, but with all of the runoff, it became exposed. So I dug a 6" deep trench and ran an outdoor conduit underground that contains the low voltage wiring.



Probably overkill, but perhaps there will be some landscape lighting wiring judges checking it out for some contest....


Again, overkill, but I had time to spare at the hardware store, so let's make it look cool and professional-like, ya know? One of the termination points. The current low voltage circuit is visible nearby. That will be cut and spliced into the new juction.




The other termination point. I didn't bury this section yet because I'm not sure where lights will be relocated after the landscaping is completed.



I will paint the termination junction box "Hunter Green", so it won't be so noticeable.

[Angel]

Other forums have "car build" thread or "Garage build" threads...

we here at msshop have "Yard build" threads =)

j/k G-benz - I just put up a swing set in my back yard, so I'm heading to where you used to be.... Its gonna be a slow road until I can make my yard look decent again...


-John

[sd300td]

Mabye put up a soccer net, or basketball hoop, or sand volleyball court, or a nice gazeebo BBQ, hot tub, eating area, where the play area used to be...

wish I had a big backyard.

[iwrock]

Dang G-Benz, sound like its gonna look great when your done.


You going to do anything to hide the utility boxes?

[SwampYankee]

Hell G-, I wish my backyard looked as good as your "graveyard"!

[suginami]

Looks good G-Benz, and looking forward to updates.

I re-did my backyard when I bought our house 3 years ago and can suggest the following:

1. you can never have too many sprinkler heads or "too much" coverage. The biggest mistake people make is to put in too few sprinkler heads. My neighbors were laughing at my expense when they saw all the heads I installed. I got the last laugh, though. I run my sprinklers half the time they do, and I have a greener lawn.

2. Mulch is your best friend. It is not a one time only deal. I renew it every year. I like the shredded cedar mulch for many reasons: looks good, smells good, insects don't like it, reduces weeds, keeps the soil and roots cool in the summer heat, and conserves water.

[KarTek]

Great project G, sounds like you have it well planned out.

I have to disagree with Paul about the mulch, I hate it... I'm stripping it all away around the house and replacing it with colored gravel. There are areas around the house that have had the gravel in place for years and the only thing I've had to do is spray a little Roundup on the few weeds that pop up here and there.

Question... How is the Asian Jasmine to deal with? I have an area in back that's too shady for grass and too big for gravel. I'm looking for some kind of ground cover that stays low and doesn't grow like crazy and take over everything. Any ideas?

This is the area I'm talking about - there on the right. It's a triangular space about 15x25x30. Right now it's being used as a staging area for gravel, dirt, sand and other bulk materials.

[G-Benz]

Originally Posted by KarTek

Question... How is the Asian Jasmine to deal with?...

Here's a pic of a home with Asian Jasmine ground cover:



It spreads out, not up, for the most part, and is shade tolerant for most all trees except for the few whose toxic "droppings" kill just about anything below it (I think walnut and weeping willows fall in that category).

You can maintain it with an occasional run of the weedeater.

Originally Posted by iwrock

...You going to do anything to hide the utility boxes?

Nope. Actually, when the landscaping gets laid out, they won't be noticed. The boxes themselves are about 2" high, and will be the only portion above ground. The one across from the house will be painted hunter green since it will reside amongst the ground cover. The other one sits up to the grey slab anyway, so it will remain unpainted.

[G-Benz]

The crew came by yesterday and started work. First on the list was get rid of the tree...what a difference! They even removed the ivy that had been crawling the walls!






Almost too bare now...I might toss in a few shrubs later.


They started clearing and prepping the areas for ground cover by removing anything that wasn't going to remain:







And finally, they dug around the old playset perimeter to determine where to reinstall the sprinkler heads:




They will be back today. Not sure if I can capture progress pics, as there is a soccer game (winning this one puts my daughter's team tied for first in the division). But I suspect that they will still be working when we get back.

[Kuan]

Nice work man! My backyard is, uh, natural prairie.

[G-Benz]

The crew was wrapping up their work for today. They will come back this week to add the additional landscaping and finish the rock treatment.

Ground cover has been planted. Will fill in completely in around six months






Areas marked for additional landscaping:





Playset perimeter cleared out, topsoiled and sodded. Sprinkler heads attached and tested as well. Unfinished area is where the cleared out brush remained until it could be hauled off.

[G-Benz]

Starting the rock project. This is where the runoff will travel.





Some of the plants to be used in the new landscaping...




I pulled the landscape lights out of the way earlier this morning and will relocate them tomorrow.

[H-townbenzoboy]

Nice to finally see some yard renovation that doesn't involve hauling off tree limbs, power line parts, and pine tree trunks.