Seeking Advice: Best way to frame (for concrete) a 12' diam circle
 

I'm putting in a fountain in the middle of the lawn and I would like to surround it with a small hedge and a brick curb/border.

Before I lay down the brick, I want to put in a curb or foundation for the brick to be mortared onto. I'm looking for any advice on the best way to frame a perfect circle for the concrete foundation.

Thanks!

Something like this but with a brick border at the base:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1628875334.jpg

String from center? Luan board staked in place? It's flexible.

I see contractors do some tight radiuses (radiaii?) by using plain old plywood. they cut a bunch of shallow cut on one side so the panel can bend. they line with a flexible sheeting if they need is super smooth.

line up the circle. hammer in a bunch of forming stakes and then work the ribbed plywood around the circumference. And line with a form liner.

I do however think you can BUY a round form.

Thin masonite, or plywood.. wood stakes, earth back up...

Define the circle using a string..

You don't need a perfect circle for the base, but you need it for the brick.

Stake in the center, string with length = radius, and upside-down paint to mark.
I would form with rips of 1/4" plywood and stakes. Use scraps in between the forms to hold spacing, and pull them out as you place the concrete.

Menards or Home Depot have lawn edging called Fiber Edge.
Unroll 20 feet or more and form a circle with it. It will be a perfect circle.
Unroll more if not big enough.

I have used it many times for borders/edging around large trees.

Or this....https://www.menards.com/main/building-materials/landscaping-materials/lawn-edging-tree-rings/master-mark-plastics-reg-40-black-terrace-board-landscape-edging/94440/p-1498545510922-c-13237.htm?tid=1179050337975957771&ipos=43

Thanks all!

The picture that I posted is of a fountain that is about 1/2 mile from my house. As I look at the photo closer, it looks like they have a concrete raised planter bed behind the boxwood hedge.

I'm going to stop by there this weekend and ask if I can measure it, because it is the exact thing I want to do in my yard. While there, I will examine the raised planter - that may be another way I decide to go.

I don't know why you couldn't just make the base square instead of round. You're just talking about the base. A round fountain could still sit just fine on a square base.

And it wouldn't affect the landscaping one bit. Just proceed with a "rounded" design around the square base.

Otherwise the suggestions upstream in the thread would help you get the job done, should you wish to go forward with a round concrete base.

Personally, I've been using pavers or washed shell for most stuff like that here. A lot less hassle and less permanent.

Ask Zeke. He knows the answer....

Maybe because of mowing.
I hate anything square in my yard.

Please remember to block out for water/power/data.

I want round because this will be going in a section of my front lawn that is round. Now I just need to figure out how I will do it.

Have you considered digging a hole and half burying a round stock tank in it. Then use the outer wall that is still partially above ground as your base for your brickwork

I think you're not understanding.

The outer bed can be circular.......without the need for the concrete base to be.

Draw a big circle......and inside the circle draw a square. Just make sure the circle is large enough in diameter to leave room for plantings.

As I think about this more, I think I like the raised bed in the center covered up with the boxwoods (however, the photo above - boxwoods need to be kept pruned). And, I am liking the nice cut circle in the grass without the brick. Sometime this weekend I'm going to stop by the house and take some measurements and take a closer look at their fountain.

My fountain is similar and has a pedestal and can sit on a very small concrete slab. Then have a raised bed which will have small plants, and then a boxwood hedge to hide the raised bed. My lawn is already bordered with boxwoods so this will fit my yard style.

I assume this will be a turtle habitat

^^^lol

they are ok with six-sided homes...but not square ones. :)

Ok I got it. I will decide after I take a look at what the neighbor is doing. I don't think I will get to this for about a month so I have time to think and rethink and then think it again.

Why frame...dig a footer as in dig the circle...the sides become the frame and you don’t have to worry about framing blow out or having it perfectly round.

Dang Vern, you are just jsut busy man with projects around the house. Good luck.