The project had stretched out over several days, as I was only spending an hour or so each morning before things got too hot. Well, I've finally finished this project! The photo above is where I left things at the end of the previous post.
The first step in this final work session was to scrape the soil flat. There were still some uneven spots, and I wanted to ensure that the base would be as level as possible.
That took just a couple of minutes, and it was time to lay the base back down:
My fear was that as it was being lowered it would break, but the landscape block adhesive held and there were no other problems (like pinched fingers).
The box came next:
It wasn't too heavy, but it was awkward getting it back into position. Still though, not too difficult.
What a relief that everything was still level!
The final step was to reinstall the pond liner material I used to keep the soil from contacting the wood. There were lots of staples left in it from when I pulled it out last summer...
...but it was fewer than I expected and this didn't take long to remove them.
Somehow the liner is smaller now than it was before:
So I had to add a scrap piece to cover the gap. I may have had to do this last time, but I don't remember. (It seems more likely than the rubber having shrunk so much).
I did shovel in a few inches of the soil that I previously removed just to get it out of the area and to keep the box from shifting, but the box is mostly empty and ready for a new bamboo now!
Incidentally, I still haven't made a final choice on the species to plant here. I believe I've narrowed it down to a choice between Phyllostachys heteroclada and Phyllostachys virella. Since I have managed to strain my hip somehow in the last week or so there's no heavy lifting for me for a while, so I have more time to decide before planting.
It bothers me that this job wasn't even on my list of projects to tackle in 2013. I was hoping to cross something off that list today.
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You just add it to the bottom of your list... then cross it off! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm impressed with the amount of work you put into laying down the bricks.
ReplyDeleteMy thought exactly, Teri, that's what I would do! Great job leveling this, that's the kind of thing I would put off forever so give yourself extra points!
ReplyDeleteTeri - you've been watching my to-do list technique! Some days I'll just write down everything I did that day just so I can cross it all off! Mind games!
ReplyDeleteGood job on this one, Alan!
WOW!! I am super impressed! It didn't take long and now you have a solid base that will stand the test of time! My hubby would agree!! I love the stone you used. Now that whole area looks like a focal point!
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