My backyard project

[BananaDan]

I thought I'd share some pics of our backyard project.  It is about 2.5 years in the making from when the planning and funds savings started.  We're finally nearing the end and about to have a backyard we can actually use and enjoy.  

The last group of pics, the Cherries going in, was today.

Our starting point:












After phase 1 (new ext. door, landing/stairs, upper patio and fence):


Our backyard before the start of phase 2:






Dry well, drainage and rough grading is complete:






My new babies are in, three Yoshino Cherries:

[moparstuart]

 

[mrsskip68]

  Holy cow! Those full size trees plus delivery must of been spendy!  Looks great!
Lisa

[Fred]

 

Those cherries will be breathtakingly beautiful in spring.

[BananaDan]

Yep, those are my new babies and are my favorite part of this project.  I'm so happy they're in, and I can't wait until they bloom next year.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Looks great Dan

Cant help but notice you have plenty of room back there for a little garage

[stripedelete]

Looks great!    But you can't stop there.  I'm thinkin,,, a wrap around deck would make it easy to sit back and appreciate the view.  You could even knock a hole in that chimney and extend the season a little. 

Btw, what kind of trees?   

[bill440rt]

Dan, those trees will provide just enough shade for comfortable eating space at your next backyard BBQ. I can taste the ribs now...   

Looks great Dan

Cant help but notice you have plenty of room back there for a little garage

True dat. A garage would set off those trees quite nicely. 

[BananaDan]

Looks great!    But you can't stop there.  I'm thinkin,,, a wrap around deck would make it easy to sit back and appreciate the view.  You could even knock a hole in that chimney and extend the season a little. 

Btw, what kind of trees?   

The trees are Yoshino Cherries. 
https://www.google.com/search?q=yoshino&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=NELIT8jqDoWT6gGhkLXrDw&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CFcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1437&bih=779#hl=en&safe=off&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=yoshino+cherry+tree&oq=yoshino+cherry+tree&aq=f&aqi=g10&aql=&gs_l=img.3..0l10.14324.15978.0.16066.12.5.0.7.7.0.59.266.5.5.0...0.0.tdD8RqkQ_kM&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=8eeba727ac124ba&biw=1437&bih=779

There's more coming, the final push on the project is underway right now.  They were waiting for the trees to go in before they could finalize the grade and start putting in the patio.  They knew the tree guy's truck would cause some damage to the grading so they needed to wait for him to get them in.  As you could tell by the size of his truck, he needed to wait for the 3 weeks of rain we've been having to stop and then a week for the ground to dry out.  I wasn't interested in that truck being a new permanent fixture in my backyard.   

More grading work occurred today for setting the final grade and prep for material deliveries which is tomorrow.  Red brick for the patio, blocks for a bit of a retaining wall, 8 yards of top soil and 6 yards of mulch are being delivered.  Then this weekend they start the patio.

Dan, those trees will provide just enough shade for comfortable eating space at your next backyard BBQ. I can taste the ribs now...   

Looks great Dan

Cant help but notice you have plenty of room back there for a little garage

True dat. A garage would set off those trees quite nicely. 

Trust me, I can't wait for this to end either.  2.5 years in, permits upon permits upon variances and in a few weeks I'll actually be sitting in my new backyard on my new patio.  I haven't smoked any meat in over a year!   

Regarding the garage...  Now hold your fire fellas and keep in mind my lot is only 50'x125'.  My property historically had a detached garage in the back where the driveway was two cars wide and is zoned for a garage.  It had been demolished by a prior owner before I bought the house.  Now as a car guy you'd think hell yes, build a new garage.  I just couldn't keep half of my backyard being asphalt anymore, I needed a space to enjoy and let my boy run around.  One of the two variances I needed for the project was for the removal of the garage since my new patio is going to impede the ability to construct a new one.  It was a tough choice, but it's life.   

[Silver R/T]

Looks nice. All that heavy equipment must have cost a bit.

[BananaDan]

Yes, the excavation stage was the priciest.  Especially when they find nice surprises under the ground that I have to pay extra to remove and then more to fill it back in. 

Here's the progress as of today:

[400/6/PAC]

Looking good. 
Reminds Me of yard crashers.

[69rtse4spd]

Looks great, where is Ahmed when you need him. .

[nvrbdn]

nice work going on there.

[Fred]

I see you've actually had a new back door and stair case put in.
Are you paving the driveway as well?

[BananaDan]

I see you've actually had a new back door and stair case put in.
Are you paving the driveway as well?

Yeah, the door, stairs and upper patio were put in two years ago as phase one.  The driveway needs to be re-paved but it's not near the top of my list so it needs to hold-out for a few more years most likely.

[BananaDan]

Construction is done.  Grass seeding is this week.

[resq302]

Looks nice Dan!  So when ya having a picnic for everyone on here? 

[bill440rt]

Lookin' great, Dan! 

I can almost taste the smoky goodness from here! 

[twodko]

Wow, is that turning out nice or what??? As a fella who tends to make kindling more than furniture, I'm lovin' the gate! Do you plan on enclosing and cozying up the immediate patio area?

And yeah, where is Ahmad and Normy Abrams?

[BananaDan]

Yes, I'm putting Green Giant Arbor Vitae on both sides of the gate and down that property line to the rear fence.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Came out really nice Dan! 

[Fred]

Looks just great. I bet you're enjoying it already. 

[bill440rt]

Smoked duck on the menu, Dan?    

[Fred]

So Dan knew where they were at all along?

Sounds to me like he turned them into sausages with sour cherry no less.
Save one for me Dan! 

[BananaDan]

You guys are gonna get me in trouble. 

[nvrbdn]

 

[BananaDan]

Y'all got me thinkin' now.   

http://www.bbqu.net/recipes/107_1.html

[nvrbdn]

thats for a five pounder you will need to fatten them up a bit. just coppied for future reference.

[Fred]

You guys are gonna get me in trouble. 

Just make sure you eat up all the evidence.............When they come looking, they won't leave any bones unturned. 

[Fred]

thats for a five pounder you will need to fatten them up a bit. just coppied for future reference.

I don't think there's enough ducks to go around...............you will definitely have to (dare I say it) find your own. 

[nvrbdn]

    here ducky ducky quack quack    ..............................................

[Fred]

   here ducky ducky quack quack    ..............................................

And don't go looking in peoples backyards! 

[nvrbdn]

dont wild ducks nest in cages?

[Fred]

dont wild ducks nest in cages?

You are walking on thin ice my man..........take care you don't fall in.