Read closely - that walk was built six (6) years ago, when I was a mere hale and hearty lad...
This baby's got NO back - at the moment.
MY FIRST LANDSCAPE PROJECT (for pay)
VV, one question for you please. The estimate you suggested above; was that based on your area, or ours? I would think that would make at least a bit of a difference. Thank you. You are so right of course, the experience gained is priceless indeed.
Which brings to mind another question, Jeff; how is your back feeling? ;)
My back is fine, no worries there. I had one of her friendly neighbors help me lift the largest of the steppers. All the others I've been trying to remember to lift with my legs. I have an overall stiffness that lasts a few days and then goes away. The only thing that's been persistent in slight pain has been my right hand. I'm not sure what's going on there.
use a wrap or a wrist brace for a little support until whatever it is stops hurting, Jeff.
you sure got a great workout with this project!
how far will you travel? LOL guessing you might be "done" with projects other than your own this year
Haha...yeah you're probably right. I have a decent sized shrub garden of my own to put in after I'm done with this project. This has been nice though as her house is only about 3 miles from mine and the nursery is on the way.
My hand only hurts when I press on it, it's weird. I think it just might be a pulled muscle or something. I'll probably take the usual man approach and just work through it...LOL
you might have bruised it by having stones lean on them when you lift or position them.
fwiw, I only paid $616 for the new path from my backyard to my driveway, including landscape architect design, stones, delivery and installation....
It took 3 men several hours to install it. They dug down about 3 inches around each stone, removed the sod and put down several inches of something that looks like finely ground cement as a base for the stones.
Well that sure sounds like a pretty good price when you figure the materials and 9 man hours.
I know I bruised my left hand when I hit it with my 4lb mini sledge...LOL
Do what Payton Manning does... rub some dirt on it. ;)
OK, seriously, keep a good eye on it.. is there any swelling or discolouration? Wondering if maybe it could be a slightly smooshed tendon or something. Try to take it easy on/with it as much as you can. (and rub some dirt on it). < =D
Haha... I love that commercial. :) Good reference, Speedie !
Muddy, that does seem to be quite reasonable, especially for this area. Did you go through Meadows again?
Haha, Speedie, that only works when you're bleeding...
ssg, yes Meadows Farms did the work. They have sales on paths, patios, etc. sometimes; this might have been a sale price.
...bleeding and when you get a football thrown smack at your face. < =D
Muddy, that is a REALLY reasonable price for that job, YAY YOU!! =)
Here's the latest pics from my work today. In order from left to right. I finished the edging, finished planting all the plants, regraded everything enough for mulch tomorrow, and readied for the other walk, which will also go in tomorrow.
Looks great!
Looking good, Jeff. Black mulch would really make that bed pop. What type of mulch are you planning on, natural ? That would look good too.
I'm using shredded pine bark. It will last longer and it doesn't mat down like hardwood mulch, thus letting more water penetrate.
Oh, I really like those stacked stones. Those trees are going to provide some nice shade to that patio.
I liked those stack stones too; they make a great focal point.
The birch looks good; I don't see any brown leaves, so your surgical skills must be pretty good!
She's going to have a much more private patio after all those shrubs grow, and flowers to enjoy in the meantime.
Yeah well I can't take all the credit for the good looking birch, she has been very diligent about watering it. There isn't a single yellowed leaf on it. I'm pretty impressed.
I'm finally done with the project. I had a guy from work do all the mulching. I laid the second walk and planted the perennial plugs. I also laid soaker hose around everything. I'll post pics later when I turn my computer on.
Here are the final pics. These are from left to right.
Last two.
Very nice work, Jeff ! I bet they are quite pleased with the way it turned out.
PURE PERFECTION!!!! That's all I can say! Great job!
Thanks guys. The lady is super happy with how it all turned out. I'm super glad it's over. Now I get to find out how much money I made. I'm pretty sure I'm about $400 over budget. Definitely $180 in wages I didn't account for.
It looks great! I didn't realize that you had put in a drainage tube as well (from the down spout?); now I'm even more impressed.
Yeah the spout would have been emptying into the stone walk so I had to do something with it. It's corrugated drain tube with perforations. It's about a foot deep under the walk and part of the garden and then less deep toward the end of the garden. The hole was filled with 3/8 pea gravel up to the top of the tube, then the rest with regular soil. It drains pretty good. I tested it with a full 5 gallon pail of water and barely any comes out at the end.
great!!!
Oh my GOODNESS Seq, that turned out so GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! Woweee WOW that is beautiful-and-a-half!!!! < =D You certainly did a fabulous job... are you sure you're not looking for a position on a crew permanent-like? < =)
Haha thanks Speedie! I'm sure. I did enjoy the design part most and, of course, the shopping lol.
AWESOME job, Jeff!!!!! I am sure they will enjoy it for many years to come.
Thanks Jan, I hope it lasts.
Haha thanks Speedie! I'm sure. I did enjoy the design part most and, of course, the shopping lol.
Heeheeheee, yeah, the shopping is the funnest part, huh? < =D
Sure is!
I think it's a great design, and practical too, the seating area gives a birds eye view of the children's play area. As the shrubs fill it it should afford a bit of privacy as well as a variety of texture and seasonal color.
Thanks Ric :-)