(Day 819 TB) 55°F. 6:00 am
Overnighting at the rental
Just before two pm, Richard stops by to pick me up and we go back to his home that is located on W. Johnston Avenue (which I have named the Desert House for this gallery page) where we both begin working on the complete overhaul of the landscaping on the property.
This project involves digging a drainage trench from the very rear of the property to the street in the front, removing all the green rock, storing it for later use in the drainage trench, removing the existing shrubs and palm tree, digging and installing a small pond in the front yard and digging a dry river bed to allow the surface water to flow from the back to the pond. On either side of the river bed will be mounds where upon rocks and plants will later be added. From the pond, the river will continue to the street allowing excess rain water to flow onto the street.
Removing the Green Gravel
In preparation for creating a desert dry river bed fountain in the front yard, a few things had to change. First on the tasks is the removal of all of the green rock from the front yard.
After the removal of the green rock had begun and we had moved it to a couple of storage locations, one in the front yard, but most of it to the rear of the property, we decide that it will be perfect rock for use in the creation of the underground French drain. Later, with the beginning of the French Drain, it is funny what the owner, Kim commented about this same green rock, she said: Finally, the green rock is where it belongs, buried.
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0212.1503) Green Rock Removal, Desert House
Bush and Tree Removal
Simply because the owners did not like either the bushes nor the palm tree, both are cut down, dug up and removed. I must needs agree, neither of these plants were very attractive and would not be eye-appealing for the dry river bed that is going in.
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0213.1308) Desert House Bush Removal
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0213.1652) Desert House Palm Tree Removal
(Day
822 TB) 51°F. 6:00 am
Overnighting at the Palm Avenue Rental
I get busy with a spade shovel and dig a narrow trench about ten inches wide, moving the dirt to a location where more dirt is required in the overall landscaping plan.
(b7-ca-desert-20180215.1521) Digging the Drainage Trench at Desert House
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0215.1522) Digging the Drainage Trench at Desert House
The French Drain
Once the trench is dug, then a six mill plastic sheet is installed and then green gravel (more about this gravel later) is put in the trench on top of the plastic. Next, a three inch diameter drain pipe with a couple of catch basin drain openings and one clean-out access pipe are installed on top of this lower gravel, after which, more gravel is put around and over the pipe up to three or more inches above the pipe.
Finally, another sheet of plastic is put over the gravel and the bottom plastic and top plastic are taped together to form a shield to keep dirt out of the French drain. After the French drain is completed, then decorative rock is put over the top sheet of plastic.
(b7-ca-desert-.2018-0218.1005) Installing Plastic and Green Gravel
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0218.1007) Installing Drain Pipe in the Trench
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0220.1531) Covering the Drain Pipe with more Green Gravel
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0220.1532) Covering the Drain Pipe with more Green Gravel
Extending the Pipe to the Street
After digging the trench from the fence all the way to the way to the street, more plastic laid, green gravel put at the bottom and the pipe installed with another drain sump is put at the end of the pipe to allow the water to flow out. Then the plastic is folded over the gravel, tapped closed and the the French Drain is covered with dirt.
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0220.1729) The Drain Pipe Extends all the Way to the Street
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0223.1537) The Digging of the River Bed Begins, Desert House
Upon finishing work today, I get out my camera to photograph the progress and soon after notice the sky is beginning to illume.
Turning, I see that the sun is at the horizon and take photos of the suntouch.
(b7-ca-desert-2018-0220.1733) Amazing
Suntouch at the Desert House
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