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

[Tidybuoy]

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:

[john70t]

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

[vash]

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.

[TimT]

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

Define the circle using a string..

[dad911]

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.

[stevej37]

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

[Tidybuoy]

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.

[Baz]

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.

[MBAtarga]

Ask Zeke. He knows the answer....

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Baz

I don't know why you couldn't just make the base square instead of round.

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

[carambola]

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

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Baz

I don't know why you couldn't just make the base square instead of round.

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.

[id10t]

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

[Baz]

Originally Posted by stevej37

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

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

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.

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.

[Tidybuoy]

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.

[carambola]

I assume this will be a turtle habitat

[stevej37]

^^^lol

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

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Baz

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.

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.

[ben parrish]

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.

[look 171]

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