CONTENTS
Introduction
8
Chapter 5
Outdoor Games S e c t ion On e
Living la Vida Outside Outdoor Living Enhancing Property Value Popular Outdoor Living Elements
10 11 11 12
Game Options for Social Gatherings Project: Bocce Ball Court Quick Project: Magnetic Bocce Court Cover Project: Scoreboard Wall
59
60
61
67
68
S e c t ion t wo chapter 1
Outdoor Kitchens and Bars Construction Options and Other Considerations Options for Grill Units Counters, Bars and Pizza Ovens Quick Project: Create an Outdoor Dining Area Project: Grill Counter Island Project: Swinging Bar Shelf Wall
stone, lumber, metal and
13 masonry, oh mY! 14
16
18
19
20
26
Chapter 2
Fire Features Options for Bringing Fire to the Yard Fuel Sources and Maintenance Project: Fireplace Kit Project: Natural Stone Fire Pit
32 33
33
34
40
Chapter 3
Water Features
Cost, Longevity and Maintenance Property Value and Material Choices
72
73
74
Chapter 6
Stone for every style of yard Overview of Stone Using Stone in the Landscape Project: Dry-Set Natural Garden Path Project: Wet-Set Flagstone Patio on Grade Quick Project: Set a Flagstone Patio
on a Concrete Pad Quick Project: Pebble Pathway Project: Dry Creek Bed Project: Pebble Mosaic Carpet
74
75
76
78
82
84
85
86
90
44
Chapter 7
Water Feature Options Maintenance Considerations Project: Disappearing Water Basin Fountain
45
45
46
Chapter 4
Overhead Structures Pergolas versus Arbors versus Trellises Building Considerations Options for Building Materials Project: Simple and Modern Overhead Structure
50
51
52
53
54
Lumber for every project Overview of Lumber Using Lumber in the Landscape Project: Fence Bench Project: Panel Screening Wall
96
97
99
102
106
Chapter 8
common metals for exterior projects Overview of Metal Using Metal in the Landscape Project: Decorative Patina Panel
110
111
112
114
Chapter 9
Masonry and concrete Design options Overview of Concrete Using Masonry in the Landscape Mor tars and Grout Project: Urbanite Retaining Wall
Chapter 12
120 121 123 125 126
S e c t ion t h r e e
Getting mother nature on your side The Living Par t of Your Yard Landscape and Proper ty Value
130 131
131
Soil: Star ting from the Ground Up Overview of Soil Using Soil in the Landscape Project: Worm Composting Bin
132 133 133 133
135
Chapter 11
Planting with a Purpose Overview of Planting Using Plants in the Landscape Planting for Color Planting for Privacy Fruit and Vegetable Gardens Planting to Attract Bees, Birds and Butterflies Project: Wheelbarrow Guacamole Garden
DĂŠcor Lighting Project: Mosaic Potting Tabletop Project: Vertical Garden Wall Project: U-Shaped Vegetable Garden Quick Project: Modern Concrete
and Wood Bench Project: Simple Garden Bridge
138
139
139
140
141
142
145
146
150
151
151
153
158
162
166
168
Chapter 13
Mulch, Lawn and Other
Ground Covers
Chapter 10
Understanding Plants and Soil
Built Elements and
Enhancing Features
Mulch Lawns Vegetative Ground Covers Project: Installing Sod and Curved Edging Acknowledgments About the Author Index
172
173
174
175
176
180
183
184
chapter 1
Outdoor Kitchens
and Bars
The Modern-Day Watering Hole If your family is like mine, we all hover around the place where the food is being cooked. Having an
outdoor counter space to prepare meals and drinks, a place to grill and a comfortable seating area will
never go out of style. But what makes one kitchen better than another? Ultimately, it comes down to
preference and functionality. This chapter will help you sort out the options in order to make the best
decision for your home. Various building methods, choices of materials and amenities, and site selection
will all be explored, as well as considerations such as adding countertops, a bar and a pizza oven.
Some projects will require professionals, but there are still many roles you can ďŹ ll by yourself to
bring style and functionality to your outdoor space. Built-in counters can quickly get expensive, so
the Grill Counter Island project (page 20) will help you cut down on costs and beautify your space
with customizable options. And if you like to entertain, you’ll love the Swinging Bar Shelf (page 26)
project that provides guests with a relaxing place to hang out.
Utilities
Gas. It’s extremely important to consider the utilities when building your structure. How hard will it be to pull your gas line? Do you need to break through 30 feet of concrete to run it? The answers may prompt you to install a grill that runs on a propane tank rather than on a gas line. Get a quote from a licensed plumber or your contractor to help navigate these options. Electricity. Electrical outlets are the second most popular amenity after a gas line because they are versatile and allow you to plug in a fridge or a wine cooler or simply charge your phone. Water and sewer. If you plan on having an outdoor sink, you will need to run water and probably have to tie into a cleanout. Check your local code to see what is required; many areas specify that the spent water be run into the sewer line because they want to protect the environment from contaminants. However, some areas allow you to run cold water into a French drain or other drainage system. If you’re putting in a garbage disposal, then you will definitely be connecting to the sewer. All of these features give you a premium, turnkey system, but the more amenities you build in, the pricier it all gets.
Natural Gas versus Propane Most built-in grills use natural gas or propane. Running a natural gas line is more expensive because it usually needs to be buried at least 8 to 24 inches deep, depending on local code, but once it’s in, you’re done. Using propane tanks for fuel can save money but you have the inconvenience of making sure there is a filled tank on hand or within a quick car trip.
Options for Grill Units When it comes to picking out a grill for your outdoor kitchen, you need to look beyond the grill’s pretty cover and understand the different materials used to build it to learn what best fits your preferences and your location. There is a lot of competition in the grill market, and there are many different types of grills and cooking styles—from charcoal to propane to natural gas—and all at different price points. However, you can cook a perfect steak on an affordable grill or burn a steak on a premium grill. Successful grilling comes down to the skill and knowledge of the chef, understanding how the grill cooks and knowing what to expect maintenance-wise. It can be a little overwhelming if you are not a practiced grill chef. But if you begin with what is most important to you, it becomes easier to pick the right grill for your situation. Things to consider when choosing your grill are maintenance, ease of use, cost and fuel source. You’ll also need to select the components that are important to you.
16
big impact landscaping
Tools
Materials
• Safety gloves
• One corner cabinet, 36" high × 30" long × 30" wide
• Square
• Four linear cabinets, 36" high × 36" long × 30" wide
• String line and stake
• Two cabinet end caps, 24" high × 24" wide
• 2'–3' level
• Two 10-oz bottles of construction adhesive
• Crescent wrench and socket set
• Sixteen galvanized steel fastener sets (1 bolt, 2 washers and 1 nut)
• Pencil • Tape measure
• Plastic shims
• Angle grinder with diamond blade
• Grill unit
• Triangle or straightedge
• Finishes of choice for the cabinets (I used stone veneer)
• Grinder, wet saw or mason’s hammer
• 27 sq ft of 1" natural flagstone for the counter
• 5-gallon buckets
• Three 94-lb bags of type S mortar
• Square or triangle trowel
• One 50-lb bag of thinset
• Rubber mallet • Torpedo level (mini level) outdoor kitchens and bars
21
Pebble Mosaic Carpet
Level: beginner–Intermediate
Cost: $$
Time commitment: 2–3 days (or 1–2 weekends)
Professionals needed: None
Dimensions: 2' × 4" × 8'
Creating a mosaic carpet is a fun, creative project that adds a lot of character and personality to your yard. Instead of rolling out an outdoor rug, mark out an area for a permanent rug that will bring low-maintenance texture and art to the landscape. Each mosaic will be completely different depending on what stones are available and how you piece them together. Although it is not a complicated process, it is very time-consuming—but rewarding. This is a great project for people who like puzzles and are creative, and is a great conversation starter when you have friends and family over.
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big impact landscaping
chapter 7
Lumber for
every project
popular exterior wood options Lumber is one of the most universal materials used in landscaping—everything from pergolas to benches can be made from lumber. But because lumber is an organic material, it’s susceptible to its changing environmental surroundings, so it’s important to consider the best material for the job. This chapter will explore the many varieties and grades of lumber, the pros and cons of each, and which lumbers are best suited for different applications. The projects will teach you how to make two stunning features that will dramatically enhance your outdoor space: a bench seat along a fence (page 102) and a screening wall (page 106) to bring privacy to your yard.