New Backyard: Step 6

After the soil was allowed to hang out for several weeks, it was tilled a final time. The workers installed a bender-board border to create a neat edge and leave clearance for the trees and new fence on the edges of our property. The soil was tamped down and the sod was rolled out.

Last Wednesday, I came home and noticed our cross-the-street neighbors had a pile of gravel in their driveway. I thought, "Hmm, they must be doing some yardwork too." The next day, I left early for work and Travis hung back to introduce Pixie to the workers since she has a tendency to try to play "guard dog" when she gets tired of being "velcro dog". Our cross-the-street neighbors caught him and asked if he was the intended owner of the pile of gravel in their driveway. Yes -- they managed to deliver a giant pile of rocks to the wrong house but they did cart it all back and clean off the driveway.

Travis called me at the end of Thursday and told me the sod was in but they were 200 sq. ft short which led me to ask, "Where exactly are they short?" "The strip right off the patio when you come out the house." Gee thanks. I had a housewarming party scheduled for two days later and my lawn had an atrocious strip of dirt to greet you as soon as you walked outside. Luckily, they managed to order more sod and dropped by Saturday morning to get it installed before anyone showed up. And that gravel? Well they ordered too much of that so Travis was dreaming up places that could use a bit of gravel laid down.

All in all, I love my new lawn (which will be a water-thirsty monster for the next month or so) and new fences. And Pixie enjoys them as well. Good thing since we did this all for her.