The Backyard Project

oldschoollear · 04:15 PM

I was reading a thread a while back and someone mentioned that people in my generation didn't grow working with their hands, didn't appreciate quality, were generally lazy, and wanted instant gratification; I'm 31. Sadly I can't argue with that assessment, but it prompted me to dig up some pictures of an ongoing (2 year and counting)project in my backyard. Hopefully this will give you a little hope for the future.

Also, my wife and I did everything except the deck.

First, we had our deck remodeled.

then we built a patio

My neighbor wouldn't let me touch the bobcat

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 01:19 PM

This thing sucked.

Pavers are a SOB by the way

almost there

Tah-dah a patio.

Hebrewhomeboy · 06-01-2009, 01:22 PM

Wow, man. That looks absolutely fantastic! My dream is to find a nice house on the west coast one day for cheap, in need of repairs and restoration, and practically rebuild it from the ground up, including a patio similar to yours. Those stones look great!

Pazuzu · 06-01-2009, 01:25 PM

[oldgenerationguyspeaking]

When we did that kinda work, we didn't have no newfangled gas powered jobbies, we used shovels and tampers by hand! And we didn't have no helpers, we did it all alone!

[/oldgenerationguyspeaking]

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 01:34 PM

Well, after the blisters heeled from the patio I started thinking "what does the patio need?". A place to cook some yard bird, swine, and Angus was the answer.

. No ordinary grill would do, I needed counter space, and more blisters.

So I built a frame.

I should have told you first, I bought a prefabbed grill and built the frame around it.

Covered with backer-board.

Tile job in progress.

Finished product. I didn't like the tile picked in the end, but I was proud of the work non the less.

Pazuzu · 06-01-2009, 01:35 PM

Nice!

Going to add a cabana or anything?

targa911S · 06-01-2009, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

[oldgenerationguyspeaking]

When we did that kinda work, we didn't have no newfangled gas powered jobbies, we used shovels and tampers by hand! And we didn't have no helpers, we did it all alone!

[/oldgenerationguyspeaking]

And we liked it!

Zeke · 06-01-2009, 01:42 PM

I am the one that started the thread you refer to (I think) and I'll be the first to congratulate you on many levels.

BTW, if that was you in the blue shirt, I can appreciate the hearing protection, but what about the eyes?

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Nice!

Going to add a cabana or anything?

YEs

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

I am the one that started the thread you refer to (I think) and I'll be the first to congratulate you on many levels.

BTW, if that was you in the blue shirt, I can appreciate the hearing protection, but what about the eyes?

Yea, that's me. I usually where eye protection, just happens to be no pictures. My livelihood depends on good ears, eyes, and overall good health. I do think that thread was started by you, I don't remember the context of the comment, but it got me thinking I should post these.

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 02:16 PM

We sodded the backyard and we are spending more time there. One BIG problem, the sun. The house faces southish so the afternoon/evening sun beats the down on the deck to the point it's unbearable. I decide to build a planter for tall shrub like bushes for sun blockage. Then I have a stroke of genius, why not build a trellis and plant Jasmine vine in the planter, that way the vine will eventually cover the trellis providing full blockage. Plus, Jasmine has beautiful blooms and smells fantastic. I don't have pictures of process just some finished shots.

The trellis was challenging, but fun, to build. I don;t like it uncovered, I think Jasmine is going to make it pop. I have better pics of the wall in the next installment.

Dueller · 06-01-2009, 02:19 PM

What's going in behind the concrete block structure?

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dueller

What's going in behind the concrete block structure?

That's the planter. You'll see here in a second

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 02:37 PM

We couldn't decide how to finish the planter. Then one day we pass some new construction where blasting is being done, problem solved. Tennessee has many old dry stacked stone walls of all shapes and sizes, we love the look, but rock from landscapers is expensive. Blast zone solved this problem. Collected a bunch of natural shale and got to work.

thank God

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 02:42 PM

very relaxing

Can't find good help anymore.

That's all for now, stay tuned.

Dueller · 06-01-2009, 02:43 PM

WOW...that planter is gonna look great. With direct sunlight the jasmine will go nuts. We planted three small plants about 18" originally on a small trellis in direct sun. In one season it went absolutely wild and covered it beautifully.

One suggestion...and it really does look great what you've done....If you enclosed the steps; i.e., on the vertical plane on the stringers, that deck would look much more substantial and custom finished.

Nice work.

Zeke · 06-01-2009, 02:45 PM

Are your concrete blocks mortared? I think planting mix and the eventual roots system of any planting will push those blocks out. Also, you have a running bond on the caps on the outer wall, but not on the inner. The running bond is stronger, even with caps.

Just some .02 from the peanut gallery (and a 39 year veteran of construction).

oldschoollear · 06-01-2009, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

Are your concrete blocks mortared? I think planting mix and the eventual roots system of any planting will push those blocks out. Also, you have a running bond on the caps on the outer wall, but not on the inner. The running bond is stronger, even with caps.

Just some .02 from the peanut gallery (and a 39 year veteran of construction).

Thanks, I didn't notice the caps pn the back wall, oops. I dry stacked the blocks because I didn't think Jasmine would have a big root system.

Zeke · 06-01-2009, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldschoollear

Thanks, I didn't notice the caps pn the back wall, oops. I dry stacked the blocks because I didn't think Jasmine would have a big root system.

In that case, I would recommend keeping the jasmine in the nursery containers or building a wooden planter boxes to lower into your masonry one. You seem to be handy with wood. Drainage is important, too, so this might be a way to provide for good drainage with a small amount of gravel between the block walls.