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MidAtlantic

11-20-2004, 06:41 PM

How did you guys learn to do that? Incredible work.

Many years of trial and error!!!!! All I can say is study anything and everything you can get your hands on pertaining to the types of work you are planning to do. Manufactures of those products are a great source of knowlege and for learning new techniques. Call them and get literature and specifications. They provide seminars and workshops for new guys. These workshops are a great way of networking and learning how the other guys do it in other markets. Some manufacturers will even send reps out to work with you on your first project or work with you on bidding projects. I wish I went that direction early on. It would have saved me lots of money and improved our efficiency.

I would say another way of learning is to look around at your competitors work. Carry a camera around with you and take pics. You can learn more from your competition than you think. Once you understand the standard construction procedures of the different products lines you will understand how they built, how much it cost. But must importantly look at the design, cuts and all the detail work.

Get to know your competitors. There is more than enough work out there for everybody. I am good friends with 4 of the guys I compete with in my local market. We do a bit of networking by sharing leads, ideas, problems, equipment, plant sources, and I even share a contractors lot with one of the guys.

Hope this helps you out some.

Robert

mdb landscaping

11-20-2004, 06:57 PM

im still a fairly young guy and i still have a ton to learn, but from day one i had a lot of great insight from fellow friends in the industry. each one of them said the best way to learn is to go work for somebody else. from highschool all the way through college i worked for myself, and still worked for another lco on the side. i cant tell you how many tricks and skills i picked up. i went to college and graduated and got a few great job offers and decided to go work for the company im at now. i have never been happier and each day i always learn something new. all i can tell you from my experience is try and follow what mid atlantic said, as well as if you can, go work for an experienced company for awhile. its like a free education. im very happy where i work now, and have given up going to work for myself, and am in for the long haul at the current company. i can honestly say i love going to work everyday, and i get paid to learn.

Mlc gmc03

11-21-2004, 12:50 AM

here are just a few that i could find, now no there not as good as others on here but for 19 i dont think i am doin to bad

fishinman22487

11-21-2004, 05:33 PM

Here are some landscaping pictures. I installed this garden in about 1 day. The other one is of one of my accounts I maintain.

fishinman22487

11-21-2004, 06:25 PM

Ok let me try that again.

activelandscaping

11-22-2004, 12:47 AM

All the pic's look great. :) :)
Here's a little project I did awhile back, still looks great. :)
I will post the after pics next.
What, I hope, you will be seeing is the result of wanting the top to look good, without having to pay for what's underneath. We removed 200 yards of pure muck soil from the spillways/pond basin, in order to provide slope stability for this project.
Well, anyhoot........here's the pics.

activelandscaping

11-22-2004, 12:51 AM

And now for the after pics.

StillScapes

11-22-2004, 09:00 PM

Here is another picture of a wall we did. We use EP Henry coverty garden wall for this job.

StillScapes

11-22-2004, 09:01 PM

Picture 2 side view of wall

MidAtlantic

11-23-2004, 12:24 AM

StillScapes---

What kind of pricing are you getting on EP Henry Coventry I,II,III pavers delivered? We get a full truck load delivered to our shop/office every couple weeks and get Coventry I for around $2.95 sf. I was just wondering how much cheaper you guys get it for being closer to the factory.

If you get it any cheaper please let me know who your contact is.

Thanks
Robert

walker-talker

11-23-2004, 01:28 AM

Some waterfalls when I use to landscape.

walker-talker

11-23-2004, 01:29 AM

Here's another one...we did all the trees also. This was when I worked for a small landscape company which employeed 13 people at the time. Did a lot of housing communities back then.

Aproct

11-23-2004, 12:33 PM

Here are a couple pictures of a wall/garden that we put in....

Before (the camera phone had dirt on the lens)

Aproct

11-23-2004, 12:40 PM

After.....

activelandscaping

11-23-2004, 01:41 PM

Nice work Apricot. I really dislike working around pool edges, pools that are functioning anyway. Every lump of dirt seems to be magnetically drawn toward the pool edge.

Regards,
Active

AL Inc

11-23-2004, 02:34 PM

Here is a job we did last year.
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=56033

Aproct

11-23-2004, 02:43 PM

Active,

Thanks. Actually the only thing that kept going into the pool was the head to the mallet. Came right off the hammer.

Just an FYI, it is Aproct, NOT Apricot. Just and FYI....

StillScapes

11-23-2004, 03:11 PM

MidAtlantic we pay basically the same prices for the EP Henry products. My main place of supply is BF Landscape Factory. You can visit their website for information on them.
www.bflandscape.com

activelandscaping

11-23-2004, 11:13 PM

Just an FYI, it is Aproct, NOT Apricot.

Sorry bout that, now we know what happens when dyslexics use spell check. :help:

Regards,
Active

Elmos

11-24-2004, 12:35 AM

Here is an Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamuke yama' that I grafted in 1997. It has four co-dominant stems and each is grafted. I grafted about 100 of these for Cecil Pounders, the patent holder of Dixie series hollies. He took half and I got the culls. heh heh. Actually he got the first pick and we then alternated. My scion and grafting. His understock. A lot of multiple grafted Maples. The next time I have a good multi understock I will graft upright trees so to see the trunk configuration through out the seasons.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/Elmore/Acer%20palmatum%20dissectum%20Tamuke%20yama/multi-stemTamukeyama1-15-03.jpg"width=750>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/Elmore/Acer%20palmatum%20dissectum%20Tamuke%20yama/4-codominantstemTamukeyama4252003.jpg"width=750>

Blk94fiveOh

11-24-2004, 03:00 AM

Here are a few pics...I'll try to get some better ones up later.

Before
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010112.JPG

After Pavers ( the rest of the driveway we are doing next year)
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/v.JPG

Still need some backfill Almost complete
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/qqq.JPG

During construction. I'll get some before's tomorrow
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010110ggg.JPG

Drainage
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010105.JPG

Complete
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010124vvv.JPG

Before RR ties :realmad:
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010116fff.JPG

After
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010132fsffds.JPG

Last one for now
My pup Sadie
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/sadie.JPG

activelandscaping

11-24-2004, 04:27 AM

Acer palmatum dissectum 'Tamuke yama'
Elmos,
That's a great job. I have had difficulty grafting MS without at least one of the stems swelling, even more so in dwarf stock/cultivars. I was hoping you might be able to answer a few questions I had, from a practical perspective?

I was wondering if you could tell me the parent root stock you used? What was the graft age vs. root stock age? I would guess this is a 6-9 year tree? Is the growth rate faster on MS than single stem grafts?

What was the age at last transplant, and what root pruning method did you use ( if any ) prior to transplant?I also noticed that there is almost no sign of crossed branching or visible wear damage on the bark. How much time did you spend on pruning?

Sorry about all the questions, but I have 50 grafted single main-stem cultivars, ranging from 1 to 4 years.

There are very few farms in this area ( mid-west really ), that grow Acer p. dissectum, Pieris japonicum or Kalmia latifolia. I prefer stock grown in local conditions, especially specimen plantings, and was hoping you might give me a few tips when it comes to grafting and rootstock preferences for any of the above.

BTW,
Is 'Tamuke yama' one word or two?

Thanks.

Regards,
Active

activelandscaping

11-24-2004, 04:50 AM

Blk94fiveOh'

Nice detail. Terrific improvement over the existing. It's amazing what a clean install and getting rid of straight lines can do for the aesthetics on a home.
I will just add one thing, simply a matter of personal preference. I would have used copper coming out of the back patio paver's, instead of PVC for the drain risers. I tie the copper into the PVC with Fernco's. Copper always seems to give a look of quality and permanence that you can't get out of other materials, again simply MHO. :)

Regards,
Active

Blk94fiveOh

11-24-2004, 12:17 PM

Nice detail. Terrific improvement over the existing. It's amazing what a clean install and getting rid of straight lines can do for the aesthetics on a home. Thanks for the comments. The Pcv has since been painted to match the beams, and doesn't stand out nearly as much, However, I do agree with you that copper would look alot better. How exactly do you tie it in with the pcv, and where do you get your materials?

Thanks,
Scott

Blk94fiveOh

11-24-2004, 02:05 PM

Here is the before from that patio
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/fffffff.jpg

Another before
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010031.jpg

Midway.
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010079.jpg
I can't find the sod pics, so these will have to do
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010037a.jpg

Before
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/Sohl%209%20day%201.jpg
After
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/P1010018.jpg

Misc. Paver pic
http://www.lifeinwidescreen.com/upload/ngsfngsf.jpg

Thats it for now

Elmos

11-24-2004, 03:29 PM

Elmos,
That's a great job. I have had difficulty grafting MS without at least one of the stems swelling, even more so in dwarf stock/cultivars. I was hoping you might be able to answer a few questions I had, from a practical perspective?

I was wondering if you could tell me the parent root stock you used? What was the graft age vs. root stock age? I would guess this is a 6-9 year tree? Is the growth rate faster on MS than single stem grafts?

What was the age at last transplant, and what root pruning method did you use ( if any ) prior to transplant?I also noticed that there is almost no sign of crossed branching or visible wear damage on the bark. How much time did you spend on pruning?

Sorry about all the questions, but I have 50 grafted single main-stem cultivars, ranging from 1 to 4 years.

There are very few farms in this area ( mid-west really ), that grow Acer p. dissectum, Pieris japonicum or Kalmia latifolia. I prefer stock grown in local conditions, especially specimen plantings, and was hoping you might give me a few tips when it comes to grafting and rootstock preferences for any of the above.

BTW,
Is 'Tamuke yama' one word or two?

Thanks.

Regards,
Active
Active, 'Tamuke yama', two words. Root stock was Acer palmatum. Many that I did on this occasion were var. atropurpureum or somewhat so. The age of the under stock was probably about 3-4 years, most were well branched, 1g. The under stock appeared to be of local origin. I don't remember the specifics of transplants but it was held too long in a gallon and may have been transplanted into a 3g before being planted in the ground. I think that it remained in a gallon container until planted in the ground in 1998. It was transplanted to it's current site in about 2000 and I estimate it's height at about 24" at that time. It is now about 9' across and 4' 2" tall. No pruning to speak of. After the last transplanting I did install a branch separator for about a year. I felt that the largest two stems were too close. It worked just fine. You can't edit these posts, can you? The pictures that I previously posted were made in January and April, 2003. Here is a photo of this maple made in the summer of 2001. Notice the piece of wood, wedged in between the rear two trunks, separating them.
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/Elmore/Acer%20palmatum%20dissectum%20Tamuke%20yama/tamukeyama4stemsummer2001.jpg"width =750>

Here is another angle of this dormant maple in January 2003.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/Elmore/Acer%20palmatum%20dissectum%20Tamuke%20yama/multi-stemTamukeyama1-15-2003.jpg"width=750>

Here are three shots of this 'Tamuke yama' made today, 11-24-04.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/Elmore/Acer%20palmatum%20dissectum%20Tamuke%20yama/Tamukeyamamulti-graft11-24-04base.jpg"width=750>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/Elmore/Acer%20palmatum%20dissectum%20Tamuke%20yama/Tamukeyamamulti-graft11-24-04trunks.jpg"width=750>
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v186/Elmore/Acer%20palmatum%20dissectum%20Tamuke%20yama/Tamukeyamamulti-graft11-24-04.jpg"width=750>

activelandscaping

11-24-2004, 04:07 PM

How exactly do you tie it in with the pcv, and where do you get your materials?

I use a Fernco - Proflex model ( 3001- 43 or 3001- 44 ) (http://www.fernco.com/proflex.html), depending on downspout size ( I use either 3 or 4" copper pipe ). I get them at a local plumbing supply just call arround, you may have to order them but a larger PS should have them in stock. I pay around $ 8.00 ea. for them. make sure you get the 3001 series ( plastic to Copper ). I use a 4" street 90, then tie that into the copper with the Fernco.

BTW,
They make a special lube to help slide the Fernco over the pipe, I highly recomend using it.:)

Best of luck,
Active

Elmos

11-24-2004, 04:44 PM

Elmos,
That's a great job. I have had difficulty grafting MS without at least one of the stems swelling, even more so in dwarf stock/cultivars. I was hoping you might be able to answer a few questions I had, from a practical perspective?

I was wondering if you could tell me the parent root stock you used? What was the graft age vs. root stock age? I would guess this is a 6-9 year tree? Is the growth rate faster on MS than single stem grafts?

What was the age at last transplant, and what root pruning method did you use ( if any ) prior to transplant?I also noticed that there is almost no sign of crossed branching or visible wear damage on the bark. How much time did you spend on pruning?

Sorry about all the questions, but I have 50 grafted single main-stem cultivars, ranging from 1 to 4 years.

There are very few farms in this area ( mid-west really ), that grow Acer p. dissectum, Pieris japonicum or Kalmia latifolia. I prefer stock grown in local conditions, especially specimen plantings, and was hoping you might give me a few tips when it comes to grafting and rootstock preferences for any of the above.

BTW,
Is 'Tamuke yama' one word or two?

Thanks.

Regards,
Active
I went over my alloted time to edit my post #40, so here is my final edit of most of the text in that post. The pics are up there.
"Active, 'Tamuke yama', two words. Root stock was Acer palmatum. Many that I grafted on this occasion were var. atropurpureum or somewhat so. The age of the under stock was probably about 3-4 years, most were well branched, 1g. The under stock appeared to be of local origin. I don't think a single graft will necessarily grow any faster than a multiple grafted plant. If any thing, the additional foliage on additional trunks and branches may actually encourage more rapid growth as there is more food manufacturing, photosynthesis. I don't remember the specifics of transplants but it was held too long in a gallon and may have been transplanted into a 3g before being planted in the ground. It remained in a container until planted in the ground in 1998. It was transplanted to it's current site in about 2000 and I estimate it's height at about 24" to 30" at that time. It is now about 9' across and 4' 2" tall. No pruning to speak of and no intentional root pruning aside from the planting and transplanting. After the last transplanting I did install a branch separator for about a year. I felt that the largest two stems were too close. It worked just fine. You can't edit these posts, can you? The pictures that I previously posted were made in January and April, 2003."

MarcusLndscp

11-26-2004, 09:08 PM

Okay, I can't get this picture deal right. Who can help me get pictures on here from My Pictures

dylan

11-27-2004, 05:35 PM

Great looking work everyone. Here is an armour stone wall that my brother and I did last year. Each block weights about 2000 lbs. The wall is about 55' long.

dylan

11-27-2004, 05:42 PM

How about some hydroseeding?

MarcusLndscp

11-27-2004, 05:46 PM

Here's a job we did earlier this year. 6.5' tall columns with one that was split to accomodate a motorized gate. We built and installed the gate and fencing along w/ the stonework,hydroseeding, the driveway and also did all the site work. Plantings was by others

MarcusLndscp

11-27-2004, 05:49 PM

Another wall, sign and plantings we installed

MarcusLndscp

11-27-2004, 06:11 PM

A job we did this summer. Design and install by us, including a rock that was drilled to be a fountain, the stonework, plantings and some of the heated pavers.

MarcusLndscp

11-27-2004, 06:14 PM

a couple more after....will post more of other work later

GreenMonster

11-27-2004, 09:50 PM

Marcus-

Very impressive work. I don't do much stone, so I find that particularly impressive.

MarcusLndscp

11-27-2004, 10:55 PM

pics of an entry sign/wall/planting, a bridge we built and a Sugar maple we moved.
In the background of the entry sign pic you will see 25' Norways we planted this spring and large retaining walls we also built
All work designed and installed by us

MarcusLndscp

11-27-2004, 11:07 PM

These pics contain stonework we have done at a winter vacation home. We just completed what you see so it's not planted and still a little dusty from construction. Planting is scheduled for next spring when inventory is better.

We still have about 8 weeks of stonework left to do on the site that will provide us with great winter work...outside of plowing which we haven't had to do yet!!! Thank God and knock on wood

MarcusLndscp

11-28-2004, 11:12 AM

Can everyone see all those pics? For some reason when I try to look at them I can only see half of them. The rest are just white screens. Anyone know why?

MarcusLndscp

11-28-2004, 11:16 AM

this is one that would not display before......did it work?

MarcusLndscp

11-28-2004, 11:28 AM

Here are pics that would not display before on my computer. I'll try them again

kris

11-29-2004, 12:55 PM

here is a try at posting a couple pics

kris

11-29-2004, 06:51 PM

more of the same .....
the customer is standing (in e-4) between 2 large boulders that eventually became his bq ...nice stainless steel grill.

e7- e8 show work being done on the water feature (pond-less) ...we had to dig quite a hole to accommodate the snorkel and centipede ... used a 10k gallon pump. The pictures do not do this feature justice ...this feature looked absolutely gorgeous when we finished.

The whole job had an almost prehistoric/mountainous feel to it.

We also did one next door that was in sharp contrast to this one .... the guy only wanted black lava rock (the whole back yard)with a few large boulders and 30 or so junipers.

I would kid this customer that his yard was heaven and the neighbors was hell.
It truly seemed like it.

kris

11-29-2004, 06:59 PM

one last one of the water feature .... wish Id moved that damn hose going across the pic lol

I'll post some other jobs in the coming days...

grassworks

11-29-2004, 08:11 PM

I find myself coming back to this thread and the pics with some of the same passion (or more so) than the "calender girls" thread in the off topic forum. I am not sure what that means, ........ but keep posting them , some of those pics are awesome.

"These guys are good..."

MarcusLndscp

11-29-2004, 09:17 PM

Can someone tell me if they are able to view all the pics I posted above. I'm new to the posting pics process and it seems that when I try to view the pics I have put on all I get is a white screen....no pic at all. If someone can let me know that would be great as I don't want to keep posting pics and wasting peoples time if they're not visible.
Thank you
Mark
P.S. whoever started this thread...GOOD IDEA! It's interesting to see what type of work some of you are doing.

fishinman22487

11-29-2004, 09:43 PM

Nice pictures Kris!!
Way to go Aquascape, that system is awesome :cool:

GreenMonster

11-29-2004, 10:31 PM

Here's the latest wall on the water just finished. More pics under this thread:
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=88066&highlight=waterfront+retaining

Obviously, more landscaping is still needed. You have to see the "befores" in the linked thread to do this wall justice.

kris

11-29-2004, 10:38 PM

nice looking wall...did you use any grid?

GreenMonster

11-29-2004, 10:41 PM

walkway, sod, plantings.

p.s. this is my house

GreenMonster

11-29-2004, 10:43 PM

nice looking wall...did you use any grid?

grid? what the hell is grid??? :confused:

:D yeah, we used grid. 4 layers on the tall section, 3 layers on the short section. One layer more than called for on each section. cheap insurance. I'd rather overbuild than rebuild.

BTW, nice work Kris. I haven't checked out all your pics. I'll do that at the office (DSL).

GreenMonster

11-29-2004, 10:50 PM

hardscape by Greenmonster, plantings by customer

MidAtlantic

11-30-2004, 02:37 AM

Great photos guys. Glad to see that there are plenty of guys on here doing quality work on here.

I also see that there are LOTS of people looking at our photos and not posting theirs. I hope more people are proud of their work as we are and will post some of their best work on here. I know we all have photos of our work. No need to be shy we are all on here to share and help one another.

I look forward to seeing more great photos from you guys and I will post some more photos this week.

Once again guys great job and keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

Robert
MidAtlantic

grassworks

11-30-2004, 07:33 AM

Marcus - Yes, some of the pics are "blank"for me but most are viewable.

kris

11-30-2004, 05:49 PM

small water feature patio , firepit etc.......

kris

11-30-2004, 05:51 PM

This place was a very formal design ......

kris

11-30-2004, 05:52 PM

same place as above ...side staircase/planters leading to a courtyard

kris

11-30-2004, 05:54 PM

3rd and last of same place...very formal reflecting pond (made out of pisa),another patio, firepit, to the left

kris

11-30-2004, 05:56 PM

one of our fire pit / patios........

AGLA

11-30-2004, 07:23 PM

Kris,

Nice work. I think you made an excellent design call with your choice of fence. It works great for bringing in the beautiful surroundings while still having safety and security with the fence. That is often overlooked. You did not limit your landscape to the property line.

kris

11-30-2004, 07:38 PM

Thanks ALGA....

Another job .... fair size .... first pic is of before, where walls and staircase were built

kris

11-30-2004, 07:39 PM

partway through the walls and steps

kris

11-30-2004, 07:40 PM

walls ...patio....

kris

11-30-2004, 07:41 PM

looking at the back towards walls

kris

11-30-2004, 07:43 PM

Last one of this job...long shot from front

kris

11-30-2004, 07:59 PM

sorry...forgot the back stair case.

mcclureandson

12-01-2004, 10:03 PM

Kris...where can I get that insert/grill for the firepit?

kris

12-01-2004, 11:14 PM

We buy the firepits as a kit from our supplier and they come with a grill. The regular grill for the smaller firepit is not that fancy.... no hinges etc.

That grill in the pic is for a large firepit and is quite expensive ... I think it was over 2 hundred....and we get dealer rates.

We dont have unilock out here but check with them ...Im sure they would have them.

Lawnworks

12-01-2004, 11:24 PM

What is the bill on one of those jobs?

kris

12-01-2004, 11:45 PM

Lawnworks I'm not sure who you are talking to ...myself I dont like to discuss costs very much on here.

The pics I first posted with the water feature, slate patio etc are only a portion of the job ... the front yard had a 7 foot high rocky gold rock- core drilled with a pondless set up so water was bubbling over and down.... that one rock alone was worth over 4k.

your looking at over 100k for that job.

kris

12-01-2004, 11:51 PM

Here's a nice little front yard ...the customer had us cut costs by installing washed rock walkways instead of pavers ... I think it turned out ok.

PS..the small spit/stack planter bottom right hand corner was existing as were a couple caliper trees and shrubs.

MarcusLndscp

12-02-2004, 10:12 PM

Here are pics of a job we did a couple years ago....hopefully all will be viewable. Sorry, fall/winter pics so everything looks kind of blah. You can see a little bit of snow on the walls and in the mulch. Usually this time of year there's more than that!

MarcusLndscp

12-02-2004, 10:19 PM

More stonework, all wet laid

Blk94fiveOh

12-03-2004, 12:15 AM

Great looking work marcuslndscp :)

kris

12-03-2004, 12:20 AM

Very nice stone work!!

MarcusLndscp

12-03-2004, 11:26 PM

Thank you both very much. Our stone work is what seperates us from the rest.

Diaz Brothers

12-04-2004, 10:58 AM

We wish we could do those big jobs but we dont have that kind of room in the back yards of densely populated Chicago

cgland

12-06-2004, 06:53 PM

Just a few!

cgland

12-06-2004, 06:58 PM

A couple more!

kris

12-06-2004, 07:02 PM

very nice cg

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 08:34 AM

Beautiful work, CG

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 08:46 AM

Here's a few from one I just finished. Last one for this year :drinkup: Pics are b4 stabilizing sand, and a few more little cap cuts where the terraced ends start. Too late up here for plants.... although customer did line the walk with some fake Christmas trees :rolleyes:

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 08:47 AM

walkway from above

cgland

12-07-2004, 09:59 AM

Looks great GM! I love the design w/ the terraces. Plantings will really make that look awesome. Great work

Chris

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 10:21 AM

Thanks CG. They were afraid that wall was going to look like a big cement wall -- which of course, it wouldn't -- so I tried to design a little extra character into it. Although I don't usually like to NOT cap terraces, the hollow Allan Block would have actually provided more planting area if the lower terraces were not capped. Not a lot of planting room there now. Probably some wave petunia or crawling Verbena will look nice "flowing" over the wall.

OBTW, your stuff.... nice... really, really nice. :waving:

cgland

12-07-2004, 01:09 PM

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 01:24 PM

Great idea GM. I picture on the top terrace a weeping Norway with a mix of some creeping perennials and maybe some soft ground cover juniper to hang over the wall on the lower terraces. Thanks for the kudos. It looks like you do some awesome stuff yourself....got any more pics?

Chris

Yes, there is definately room for a nice specimen behind the top course, on the r/h side. The weeping norway is a great suggestion. I also prefer perennials, for the mos part, over annuals.

I try to do good work.... I only have a few years under my belt, so I'm learning on EVERY job.

I have a few pics on page 7. Here's a couple others.

Green-Pro

12-07-2004, 01:54 PM

Mark,

WOW!! thats a pretty big job form start to finish, looks great, wondered how big of jobs did you start out with? i.e. small walls, walled beds, etc.

thanks
G-P

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 02:09 PM

Mark,

WOW!! thats a pretty big job form start to finish, looks great, wondered how big of jobs did you start out with? i.e. small walls, walled beds, etc.

thanks
G-P

My first job was a bluestone patio, I learned A LOT on that one. From there I did a couple other walkways (a few good size ones) and a fairly large retaining wall.

I took whatever came my way. Can't be skeered!

Here's a few pics from my first year. They're a little small. I just pulled them from my website.

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 02:10 PM

a few more.....

I REALLY learned a lot that first year :o

Green-Pro

12-07-2004, 02:45 PM

Pics look good you do quality work. Did you have any help from somebody with experience when first undertaking these? I am planning lawn care and some landscape full time next year and naturally do not want to turn any work down. Not really scared but lacking some practical experience and thought maybe starting on some smaller projects would be good learning process.

Since turning in my resignation and with folks finding out what I intend to do I have had lots of questions about will you do retaining walls, beds, walks, etc. in addition to lawn care. Don't know if these folks are really looking for someone to do these jobs (lots complain about not being called back by landscaper/lawn care, or jobs just to small) or if they figure me quitting and doing this full time will be "hungry" for work. In any case looks like you do good work and like you said I'm sure I will be learning a lot. One thing that has struck me as being very encouraging is that it seems as though there is a lot of work out there if a guy wants to get after it, and thats a big yeee haaaa!!! as far as I'm concerned.

:blob3:

G-P

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 02:53 PM

I had some help from a friend, who is a llifetime mason. For hands on experience, I did a lot of stuff at my own place, and some work for friends as well. I also did a lot of reading and research on my own to learn this stuff, plus I tried to apply common sense and knowledge I've gained through other jobs that I've had. It's fair to say that starting out, I didn't always do things as effeciently as possible. Live and learn and always try to improve on your process, even when you think you've got it nailed.

I definately believe the smaller stuff is a better place to start -- it just might not work out that way :)

Green-Pro

12-07-2004, 03:13 PM

I had some help from a friend, who is a llifetime mason. For hands on experience, I did a lot of stuff at my own place, and some work for friends as well

I also have someone with experience (not quite as much as a lifetime mason though) to lend a hand if I get into a bind, also have done lots of practice at home and for friends, aint we all LOL. I to am a big believer in researching and digging up as much practical info as possible in conjunction with hands on. Looking forward to moving on to bigger and better projects.

Anyway thanks for the advice, pics and chat. take care

G-P

GreenMonster

12-07-2004, 03:34 PM

I to am a big believer in researching and digging up as much practical info as possible in conjunction with hands on.

Me too. I don't like to lean to heavily on anybody. The more I learn, the more I find out that some people don't as know as much as I've given them credit for.

For example, one of the "experienced" guys I used was laying down a wall base, 6" of 3/4" stone, and made one pass with the compactor ;) I find that when I have lots of guys working with me (up to 6), I keep a close eye on ALL of them.

Best of luck!

cgland

12-07-2004, 06:49 PM

Here here! I think I'm more of a babysitter than an owner sometimes. You wouldn't believe some of the things I caught my "experienced" guys doing! Fired, fired, fired, and.......fired. No place for idiots on a site that has YOUR name all over it.

cgland

12-07-2004, 06:56 PM

Here are some pics of a job we just finished last month

kris

12-07-2004, 07:09 PM

Green Monster, cg and others...really sharp looking work!

cgland

12-07-2004, 07:10 PM

A couple more!

kris

12-07-2004, 07:20 PM

retaining walls.............................

kris

12-07-2004, 07:26 PM

this one had a large patio ... couple retaining walls out front .. only thing I didnt like about this job was that the customer only wanted a very small pond at the bottom. He did the mulching after himself after.

kris

12-07-2004, 07:30 PM

this one is in progress ...come quite a ways since this photo but we got snowed out.... Ill have some really nice completed pics of this next spring.

Rundle Rock steps ...walls ..planting etc

cgland

12-07-2004, 11:07 PM

I love those natural steps! Great work Kris

stxkyboy

12-08-2004, 01:38 AM

not a critisism but arent those step rather unlevel

ToroLover

12-08-2004, 02:23 AM

this one is in progress ...come quite a ways since this photo but we got snowed out.... Ill have some really nice completed pics of this next spring.

Rundle Rock steps ...walls ..planting etc
Kris.....wheres your shovel....you are standing pretty deep in it....as usual :laugh: ...... BTW..... Nice work!

kris

12-08-2004, 08:46 AM

not a critisism but arent those step rather unlevel

Not sure if that was directed at me ...but no

Amco Landscaping

12-08-2004, 09:18 AM

With a lot of these jobs does the customer tell you exactly what they want and you do it or do they they look to you for ideas then you sketch something out on paper. How does this work?

Matt

GreenMonster

12-08-2004, 10:01 AM

Green Monster, cg and others...really sharp looking work!

That's quite a compliment, coming from you Kris.

Kris & CG, I think you're out of my league. I'm working on getting there though. :)

GreenMonster

12-08-2004, 10:03 AM

not a critisism but arent those step rather unlevel

All the PHENOMANAL work in this thread, and this is what stxkyboy has to say?!?! :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

It's funny how pics sometimes can fool the eye sometimes.

Kris, those steps are cool.

cgland

12-08-2004, 11:23 AM

Thanks guys!
With all of the great work shown here and to receive kudos from your peers...it goes to show that this board is top notch as far as knowledge and quality. You will always have your downers like stickyboy. Those type of people have nothing better to do than criticize others work :nono:
Especially when I have yet to see a quality project from him....and don't call that stream & pond quality. :realmad:

Chris

stxkyboy

12-08-2004, 01:36 PM

No i think the work is excellent i was just wondering if that was an optical illusion

kris

12-08-2004, 07:52 PM

With a lot of these jobs does the customer tell you exactly what they want and you do it or do they they look to you for ideas then you sketch something out on paper. How does this work?

Matt

Almost all of our projects are design/build. The customer (whom sometimes knows inexactly what they want or they may have no idea at all)will work with the designers,its then estimated and the plan is given to the foreman who build it.... Lots of times there are small changes made along the way.

I dont mind anyone criticizing the work .... I can spot something in almost every job we do that I would have liked done another way ...as far as the steps being unleveled ... I doubt it ... they are pitched a bit to the front....
Anyway.... we are far from perfect but I feel we do good work.

Bonzai

12-19-2004, 12:25 PM

One of our ponds from the spring

kris

12-19-2004, 12:32 PM

Bonzai ...I really like it. Well done!

MarcusLndscp

12-19-2004, 12:58 PM

Very creative Bonsai......it looks like a million bucks

Bonzai

12-19-2004, 01:00 PM

Biggest job to date, includes a constructed wetlands for filtration.

Bonzai

12-19-2004, 01:01 PM

Sorry for small pictures I took them from our website

pjslawncare/landscap

12-19-2004, 01:43 PM

Wow! So much talent displayed on this thread. Its great tro see all these beutifull jobs of such high quality. Gives me an even higher respect for all you guys. Unfortunately I lost most of my pictures this year when my computer went and crashed. I do have some pictures of one of the last jobs I did.

Bonzai

12-19-2004, 01:58 PM

More ponds,this is pretty much all the landscape construction we do. We specialize in ponds only.

cgland

12-19-2004, 10:54 PM

Well done Bonzai! Great looking work. :blob3:

fishinman22487

12-19-2004, 11:24 PM

Those are some awesome Aquascape ponds!! Keep up the beautiful work.

CVNL

12-21-2004, 08:38 PM

I will post more in a second and third post..

CVNL

12-21-2004, 08:40 PM

Some More Pictures. I wish you could add more than 5 at a time

CVNL

12-21-2004, 08:42 PM

Some more pictures. I have a few more

CVNL

12-21-2004, 08:44 PM

That is all I have on my laptop. I will get some more of pondworks and landscaping later.

kris

12-21-2004, 08:47 PM

Nice looking jobs guys...keep em coming

lukachuki

02-12-2005, 10:58 PM

Great thread,

I just found lawnsite and can see that it is going to be a great place to learn. I don't know if it is "kosher" to ressurect an old thread but I thought I would risk it as I was just out snapping pictures of my last job earlier today.

I am just starting in hardscapes and hope to turn it into a fulltime business as I really enjoy using pavers, concrete and (in this case) bricks to transform a landscape.

Thanks everyone for sharing in these forums, what a valuable business tool lanwsite will prove to be.

The attached pictures are of a couple of hardscapes that I did in the last few months. I am a brick mason by trade working myself into hardscapes and hopefully some landscaping. That Laser Grader was SAWEET Mid Atlantic. I have been checking those out and can see how much more productive they could make me.

Peace,

Tim Newcome

Aiken Brick Creations

dcondon

02-12-2005, 11:05 PM

Nice looking job!!!!!!!! Welcome to LawnSite :waving:

MarcusLndscp

02-12-2005, 11:19 PM

Hi
Glad to see someone else on here who is more involved with hardscaping. After viewing your first pic of the brick archway I asked myself how you kept that arch while it cured, then I saw the next couple pics of the frame work you installed. I've never done an arch like that before with anything but have been told the process of building the form and all by other masons who primarily built w/ stone. My question for you is pertaining to the brick arch. I know when you do a stone archway you have a "key" in the center that has a downward pressure on the rest of the stone work which theoretically keeps the whole structure solid, if you will. So back to my question :) .......with the brick what makes it keep its structural integrity? Is it reinforced? Just curious because I'm always looking to learn some of the tricks of the trade. Your work looks really nice, and again nice to see a hardscaper in here.
Take care
Mark

kris

02-13-2005, 07:58 AM

Good stuff.... welcome to LS

lukachuki

02-13-2005, 10:44 PM

Hello Mark,

Thanks for the nice complements. The archway is really not that hard. The bricks are self supoorting without a "keystone". All of the bricks on the interior arch have been cut so that the mortar joints on the bricks are consistent. I'll attach a couple of other pics which the homeowner took as i was busily working away.

The picture of me taking down the buck was taken almost immediately after I finished laying the bricks. The mortar sets up quite quickly due to the moisture being drawn out by the absorbent bricks and so the buck can be taken out right away. It does of course take days before the arch reaches full strength but you just need enough strength to be self supporting. It is important to remove the buck before the mortar sets so that you can strike the inside joints. If you waited until the next day you would have major problems and probably would have to take a grinder to it grind out the hard mortar and replace it with fresh. Anyway I hope this makes sense.

The outside layer I did the next day by the way using the brick arch that is allready their for my buck.

Tim

MarcusLndscp

02-14-2005, 09:01 AM

I'm sure I'm speaking for everyone that lives up north when I express my great feelings of jealousy that you were outside on January 26th w/ a t-shirt on doing stonework. You should see one of our current jobs. We bought a tent (actually one of those portable garages) to set up over two columns we've been trying to build all winter. Had to heat it because of the sub zero temps at night, so the mortar would not freeze. The only problem is that it's snowed just enough so we can't get there to do a good push on laying stone. When we do get there we need to shovel out the tent so we can get in and shovel off a 14 tone pile of stone we have tarped of 2 feet of snow. Mother nature isn't very considerate of us doing outside work up here. :realmad: :)
w/ extreme jealousy
Mark

lukachuki

02-14-2005, 01:36 PM