When spring came, W wanted a garden in the front, but when he stuck a shovel in the ground, the dirt was only two inches deep!
There is plywood underneath all that dirt!
So…he asked me, as his strategic advisor, to interview some landscape companies to redo that garden, even though I advised getting rid of the garden completely ;).
Since the pavers in the front, comprised of red bricks and tan pavers, looked terrible, W wanted me to get an estimate for them, as well as an estimate for the steps up to the house.
Then I should get estimates for the pavers for the patio in the back and estimates for repairs for the deck in the back.
ADVISED TO FOCUS ON THE FRONT
When Landscaper #1 came out, he had a ton of advice, which included focusing on the garden bed and pavers in the front first.
Since it’s the first thing anyone sees, it will put everyone in a better mood about tackling the front steps, back patio, and back deck…which are much bigger projects.
Promising an estimate the following week, he never got back with us.
LAKE RIDGE NURSERY AND LANDSCAPING
Landscaper #2 (Lake Ridge Nursery) did all the estimates online, based on my phone call with him, and he soon provided estimates that W liked, so he was hired.
Due to a busy schedule, they couldn’t come out until September.
After pulling away all the old pavers, the owner was flabbergasted that Mr. Previous-Homeowner (not a great diy-er) didn’t prepare the ground properly, which explained their wonkiness.
Since W wanted shade out front, we discussed the possibility of crepe myrtles for the front, one of which can be seen underneath the kitchen window.
I wish that tree could stay there, as this house seems so exposed without crepe myrtles surrounding it.
Tamping the new foundation…
After they showed me different designs, I chose an interesting one which they carefully strategized…
Although I had a sketch of the layout of the crepe myrtles and bushes on each side of the stairway, they asked me to come out to ensure their interpretation of that. (header photo)
After that, they dug the holes and figured out an arrangement of stone around the plantings.
Meanwhile, one of the other guys laid pavers underneath the stairs, which looked amazing!
What an improvement after the previous giraffe look with all the crap that the previous homeowners left behind.
After they laid the last paver, they washed down their mess while a thunderstorm erupted.
Later I got these pictures of the completed look…
