DIY Network

Backyard Deck: Landscaping, Finishing Touches and Final Tally From "Sweat Equity" episode DSEQ-103

Homeowners Lia Matarrese, Sam McGibbon and family members teamed up to build a centralized deck in their backyard. General contractor Adam Berlin returns to help them round out their project with low-maintenance landscaping.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

Materials:

ground tiller
wheelbarrow
plastic edging
pick axe
4x4 posts
shovel
bulk planting soil
bulk rocks
bulk cedar mulch
landscaper's fabric and nails
outdoor lighting kit
spool of wire

Landscaping Tips:

• It is critical that you consider climate, weather habits, maintenance, sun exposure, growing season and soil type when deciding what plants to buy.

• You can save money while your plants grow, knowing that your backyard is a work in progress and more plants can be added later.

• When designing your outdoor living area, don't forget to plan for lighting. Well-placed lights can make the area safer for evening entertaining, as well as create a great atmosphere.

• Be sure to design your outdoor space to compliment the house, especially if it is attached to it.

Landscaping

• Before other family members arrive to help out, Sam and Lia break up their existing soil using a rented ground tiller. Next, Sam adds a new layer of composite soil using a wheelbarrow (figure A). Then, Lia returns to the tiller to mix the two soils together (figure B).

• With the soil prepared, Adam assigns one team to set in plastic edging along one edge of the yard to help contain new soil and rocks (figure C).

• Adam leads another team through constructing new in-ground planter boxes using redwood planks, cut 4x4 posts and leftover composite decking (figure D). At only $279 extra, these features are inexpensive and easy to build.

• After measuring off the deck and digging trenches with a pick axe, Adam and Sam set in the completed sides of the planter box and use wood screws to join the two pieces (figure E).

• Adam gives the planter boxes a finished look by screwing down two mitered cap boards formed using the leftover composite decking (figure F).

• With the planter boxes secured, they then backfill them with new soil (figure G).

• Next, to level out the areas and prevent weed growth, Sam lays landscaper's fabric over new walkway areas and uses metal staples to secure them to the ground (figure H).

• Then, as Sam dumps pathway rocks over the fabric, other teammates finish the walkways by spreading the rocks around with a shovel until achieving a two inch depth (figure I).

• Having spent nearly $700 on plants, Lia takes the lead in setting them into the planter boxes to determine their final position (figure J). For variety, she staggers tall plants with wide plants and mixes up the colors.
  

  Figure I

  Figure J

  
  
  
  

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  ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:
  	Backyard Deck: Building
  	Backyard Deck: Landscaping, Finishing Touches and Final Tally