[mdvaden]

Finally gave our own backyard a facelift. Nothing too fancy, because we have 3 small dogs. But we like it now.

Built the building as a detached guest room last autumn, on blocks to be easy on the big Douglas fir root system. So the idea to skirt it with a short fence came to mind in the middle of the facelift last week.

I've wanted one of the circular patios for a long time. Sure made me appreciate those landscapers that are really adept with pavers. It's not really just a piece of cake.

The ramp was a brainstorm two summers ago when we bought the place. The skinny side stairs were a pain. So we culled them, and ran a ramp to the upper tier of the back yard. I really suck at deckwork, but it's fairly stout. Actually, improvise is a better word than deckwork.

 

[grassman177]

damn that is nice, huge overhaul for the better except the no grass, gotta have some grass

 

[SOSman]

Awesome job man! Looks fantastic! :clapping:

 

[CoupesCuts]

No "yard" is complete without some grass!

 

[lawnlandscape]

This is amazing! No need to even take a vacation!

What kinda rock is that??

 

[mdvaden]

This is amazing! No need to even take a vacation!

What kinda rock is that??

The fine is pea gravel.

The river rock cobble is from Oregon Decorative Rock, about 3/4 of a mile from us. They just refer to it as 2" to 8" river cobble. Not sure where it comes from. My guess is not from southern Oregon. Its got all kinds of greys, cream, some burgundy and other. A really nice mix.

It was $110 / cubic yard.

The lawn may come in as a final phase someday. Where the fenced garden area is. My mother is 92, and we fenced that area for her. Its where a future lawn would go.

This week, I divided the ornamental grasses in the front yard, and will use those for the back. They will have to be the substitute, although not the same thing.

 

[Gunnels Grounds & More]

I like. GOOD JOB.

 

[mowerdude777]

Looks great

 

[ygim]

Looks relaxing. Good job

 

[NEWGUYRI]

looks great, very oasis like.

 

[LawnboyTim]

Looks great, very nice job.

 

[BTM Lawn Maintenance L.]

Does the steps blend right into the wall ? That is sick !!!! Thumbs Up

 

[NorthTXlawnguy]

Looks very nice. And I like the minimal yard. I prefer to work on others and relax in mine!

 

[ok4me2xlr8]

Looks great man!! How about some pictures inside the guest room I am really liking that thing!

 

[Mickhippy]

Needs an Outhouse! ha

Looks great!

 

[deere615]

Did you just use the wall block for the steps? pretty unique it flows nice I might have to try that sometime

 

[mdvaden]

Did you just use the wall block for the steps? pretty unique it flows nice I might have to try that sometime

Yes, but I'm going to add a small set of steps to the far opposite side behind where the photo was taken, so my 90 year old mother can go up next to the fence. The cottage stone makes a narrow step, and my wife and I actually walk down at an angle. It took just a day to get the feel for it. But its too short a step run to go straight up and down for an adult. But our goal was to have steps without putting some kind of other material there.

Manor stone would have made a more perfect step, but I like working with cottage stone for my own needs.

Appreciate the compliments from folks, especially after last week's push.

 

[terrapro]

Looks real nice...but you fenced in an area to put your mother?

 

[MJS]

It looks great - I love the innovation with the steps blending into the wall.

I'm not usually a fan of gravel or rock garden areas, but that is a tremendous improvement.

 

[mdvaden]

damn that is nice, huge overhaul for the better except the no grass, gotta have some grass

Well, well, well ...

Finally decided that we wanted lawn after all.

So one final phase. Note the date that this thread started. The extensive spring rain settled fill soil behind the wall by several inches, so in the long run, we probably will have a better final product. Only took an extra half day to move the rock around to make room for lawn prep.