| Floating Deck and Colorful Mulch |
From "Yard Crashers"
episode DYCR-107 |
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(Continued from page )
Project No. 2: Laying new sod A quick fix to a dead landscape is instant green sod. Just a few rolls make a vibrant green carpet for this sad yard.
Materials rolls of fresh sod
weighted water roller
picks, shovels, rakes
level Clear debris and existing dead lawn. Using a pick, scrape away dead plant material, removing the roots, and move any rocks out of the way. If the space is large, consider renting a sod cutter from a local rental yard or home improvement store. Evaluate irrigation. If possible, plant new sod around existing irrigation. You may need to alter the irrigation to water new sod. Level area. Using a sod roller or rakes, level area so there are no major mounds or holes. Then roll over the dirt with a water-filled roller to weigh down and compact dirt. Leveling is the most critical part of laying down new sod. Begin laying sod. As long as sod is kept moist it will grow. If you have a slope, lay sod crosswise so the lines or seams run perpendicular to the slop; this will ensure that water doesn't run downhill at each seam. In order to keep grass growing straight, begin along a straight edge of hardscaping or a planter bed, using the edge like a ruler. Start laying sod by staggering each piece similar to the way bricks are laid. This staggering will also support the new sod and keep entire rows from sliding off a slope. Run all rolls the same; your yard will look neat and orderly because the grass blades will lie the same direction. Secure new sod. Once sod is down, lightly water the new lawn. A weighted roller helps new sod come into contact with the soil. Dump half the water out of the roller (if it's too heavy it will damage sod), then roll over the sod in a perpendicular or diagonal pattern. If the lawn is really too wet, wait to roll it.
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The new play area is padded with rubber mulch and outlined with plants. Edging keeps the rubber mulch out of the new sod.
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Project No. 3: Play area These homeowners wanted a space for parents and a space for their young son, but they didn't want to create a space that he would soon grown out of. A few simple additions make this yard kid-friendly and easy to change later. Materials bender board
synthetic stakes
boxwood
rubber bark
weed fabric or landscape fabric
landscape staples
shovels Excavate dead grass and plants. This yard is covered with weeds and dead grass. Pick away any plant material and start fresh. Remove any large rocks or roots. Create a border. This space needs a clear line separating it from the rest of the yard. Measure and spray paint a line that marks the area. Dig a thin trench along the painted line with a pick. Install bender board along trench line, secure with stakes. Plant a hedge. Along the bender board border, plant boxwoods or other hedge plants to clearly define the area Lay down landscape fabric. Using large landscape staples and a few rolls of landscape fabric, begin laying down a layer of fabric to prevent weeds. Overlap landscape fabric and then secure down with staples for a stronger barrier. Apply mulch. This is where things get fun. Kids need a soft surface to play on, and often times fall on in their backyard. Cedar mulch or other bark chips work fine, but a rubber mulch is even better. Made from recycled tires, the rubber bark is a spongy surface for kids to play on and still allows water to penetrate to plants. Choose from several different colors. Apply the mulch about three inches thick. Do the math for the square footage: For a three-inch depth, one 40-lb. bag should cover about six square feet. Add swings and toys. Hang a tree swing, create a fort and get creative. Project No. 4: Add color
Apply mulch. Mulches don't have to be boring. Using blue recycled glass mulch, add some flare around the floating deck and plants. Shade sail. Following the manufacturer's instructions, set steel posts in concrete and hang shade sail over floating deck. Paint stucco wall. Using exterior paint, add color to a dirty and boring wall. Get planting. Choose a few plants that will complement the color scheme and that will work for your climate.
| ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: | | Floating Deck and Colorful Mulch |
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