When we first saw the house, the back yard was a clean pallet of dirt. We were excited because we could do anything we wanted. Well, the next time we saw it (2 days later), there was grass and plants planted in the back yard. You know Craig and I, we decided that we needed to take out grass, trees, plants, etc. and……customize the back yard for us.
Below is the progress of the yard and some quick verbiage.
Before Pictures
September 14, 2008
We had about 5 trees taken out from the front and back yard. They were crabapple trees and we knew would be a mess to clean up. Craig removed sod and a mound of dirt from the back yard.
October 15, 2008
Part of our plan for the back yard is to simulate what it would be like to have another garage (to be built in 2009 sometime) and….these bushes needed to go. Luckily Holly was able to remove them all 8 bushes with the root ball intact and give them away!
October 2 – 12, 2008
Well, we’ve been working on about 4-5 projects at the same time. Craig has been focusing on the outside work while I’ve been focusing on the inside. Below are some of Craig’s outside handywork. During this time he put in sod in the parts that he had taken out, put in railroad ties in the future garage pad area, had some roadmix delivered and spread, widen a pathway from the house, and dug out beside the garage so he can work on some drainage issues.
Sod/Grass Replaced
Railroad ties, roadmix for future garage pad and to be used as parking now. Oh….and dinner one night : )
Garage drainage area and pathway widened.
October 22-24, 2008
For the past few weeks, Craig has been working on a “French drain” on the alley side of the garage. With the slope of the alley and any water run off, we are pretty positive we’ll be getting water in the garage since it’s at a lower spot. We’ve dug out the trench, put in road mix, put a drain pipe in, laid blocks, more road mix, and pea gravel. The plan is to leave about 8” between the garage wall and the French drain retaining wall. Yes…..he’s been working in the dark with lights to get this completed. The picture of me (Holly) is taking measurements for fencing so that we can get a fence permit and work on it this weekend.
