Backyard Grass Progress--Memorial Day Cont'd.

When we last left off, the first layer of fine rock was laid down, the skies were threatening, and Andy was about to use the rented Home Depot vibraplate that Alton refers to as "the machine." Installing our synthetic grass lawn requires digging out dirt (so that when the grass is eventually laid, it is level with the patio), leveling the ground, laying down anti-weed fabric, and spreading and tamping down layers of fine rock to allow drainage before rolling out a carpet of "fake" grass and staking it down through the dirt. Wow! And remember that Andy is so far doing all of this by himself. I have held the occasional string line and fetched lunch and snacks, but he gets all the credit.
Two layers of rock were spread, smooshed into place, and smoothed down completely level. And no rain! Andy was working hard and we held our breath all day, expecting the worst, but we escaped with no downpour and even got some blue skies and sun in the afternoon.

Then Andy prepped the corner farthest from the house, in which we are planting a small evergreen shrub that was recommended by Grandpa Charlie Rhyne, our resident horticulture expert. Andy measured a quarter-circle against the fences, marked it, installed a plastic border to keep the rock from falling in, and dug the smooth rock away to be placeholder for our little potted plant, which will eventually be 4-6 ft tall!

While this rock and smoothing and leveling was going on, Alton came out to see what Daddy was doing. This photo also serves as a great shot of the paint job that Andy did on his wheelbarrow--a rainy day boredom project from a few weekends ago.

Alton thought it was superfun to scrape his be-sandaled feet back and forth in the rocks...

until he realized that his sandals were now filling with fine rock and he didn't like it!

This was Monday of Memorial Day weekend, so the end of a holiday off work for most people, but Andy has taken this week off of work to tackle the remainder of this project...except for Tuesday morning! His plan for the a.m. is to get going early, return the vibraplate, return the rented trailer he used to haul dirt away, pick up four wood posts at the fancy lumber store, head to work, return the rototiller that he borrowed from a coworker, attend two meetings and give a tour, go to SynLawn and pick up our roll 'o grass, and then head home in hopes that the skies would not open up. (Alton and I are getting haircuts.) Wish Andy luck!