Backyard remodel

[shanti]

I have a small backyard, 15x18, with two side sections that are 6.5x6 feet. Right now, I have a (dead) lawn that sits on top of an enormous ant colony, and I would like to change the lawn to something else. My ideas are: 1-cement the whole thing in, 2-put pavers (or brick) in, or 3-a composite deck. Currently, it is plumbed and wired for automatic sprinklers, but they haven't worked for several years due to leaks that I neglected to fix, hence the dead lawn.

Has anyone done this lately? What I would like to know is which of these would be the best, most inexpensive option?

Thanks all!

[LiberalEsto]

1. What kind of climate do you live in?

Is it impossible to have a lawn in your area without a working sprinkler system?

[X_Digger]

2. +1 .. and ever considered xerascaping? n/t

[shanti]

5. Actually yes

I have! that's an option I am considering for the front yard. Two others on the block have done it and it looks nice. But it would entail more $$$

[X_Digger]

8. Well, it could be done in stages. Start with crushed stone / wood chips as a base..

.. then as budget allows either remove the base for strategic plantings of drought tolerant plants, or pavers, etc for seating areas.

[shanti]

4. Pretty much

I'm in Sacramento and this is a bad drought year. However, I mentioned the sprinklers because I'm not sure if they'd have to be pulled if something covered them.

[LiberalEsto]

9. What about creating a central patio with pea gravel or mulch?

Then you could put in a variety of native plants around the sides of the patio area, adding to them every year or two. A local plant nursery could recommend natives that would survive with minimal watering.

If it's not prohibited in your area, you could recycle "gray water" from laundry, showers or dish washing to water the new plants until they're established.

You could also think about getting some large stones to add interest.

If there are walls surrounding your back yard, see if you can get permission to paint a mural on at least one wall. You could paint green plants and flowering vines, for example.

I mentioned the pea gravel because it would let water drain through when it does rain.

[Auggie]

3. Of those three choices cement would be the least expensive and easiest option ...

I'd surmise a fine crushed stone might cost the same but would look more organic. You could also just cover it all with mulch -- that would have to be the cheapest.

[shanti]

6. Is the crushed stone a liquid

Like concrete? I rather like the look of exposed aggragate or a stamped concrete.

[Auggie]

7. I'm thinking of self binding gravel

On edit: If you, or the next owner, ever wants to remove the concrete it's going to be a tough job. The gravel is a lot easier. Like I said, it's more organic and a lot prettier IMO.

Good luck!

[Adsos Letter]

10. Deteriorated granite is always a nice, organic look.

They make a mild binder which can be added to help it stay in place.

[NMDemDist2]

11. we put in a 20x24 patio last year

it wasn't cheap or easy.

i bought the cheapest concrete pavers 12x12 and i had some 16x16 and red bricks laying around but it still ran us over $500 not counting the labor which was intensive to do it right as we had to haul in sand as a base.

in Sacramento, you just need to hang around Lowes until the Yard Crasher guy shows up and let him do it

[shanti]

12. $500?

Sounds inexpensive to me! I'm not physically able to do the labor that placing bricks or pavers entails tho. I had a contractor come in and he gave me an estimate of $3500 (!) for brushed cement. If that's the cheapest option, I'm in trouble! I can't resod, because he said I have nutgrass, which isn't killed off by roundup. 2 of my three adjoining neighbors have jacked-up, nutgrass filled backyards too, so it seems like I'll need to fill the yard in or their weeds will reseed into my yard. The contractor said that a deck was around 15 grand!

Still waiting for another estimate now...

[NMDemDist2]

13. i asked hubby and he says it was twice that in material

the rule of thumb is your will pay in labor about the same as the cost of materials

i just read up on nutgrass and i'd probably scalp it, put a heavy industrial plastic sheet down and cover with a THICK mulch and keep that in place for a couple seasons.

another cost effect way of weed control we use here is put down old carpet and cover with driveway chat. the carpet really makes it hard for weeds to punch through and if you want you can sand the chat and lay pavers

[pscot]

14. Sand

It's cheap, it's easy and it's easily modified. Add some bunch grass. driftwood and some beach chairs and you're good to go.

[shanti]

15. One word: cats

There are a lot of free roaming cats in my neighborhood. Not sure if I want my backyard full of cat turds. I got another bid for concrete for 2 grand. It beats the other one at $3500, but I'm going to get one more. Thanks for the tip though. If I lived near the coast, it might work.

[pscot]

16. I knew a guy who covered his front yard with cement

It was about the size you're talking about. He left holes in the concrete for shrubs and painted the whole surface green. It was definitely cat proof.

[shanti]

17. I wouldn't go that far, lol

Just thought of something..artificial grass hot right now. Costco sells it so it must be good and/or popular. It comes in 1x15 sections, for $30+. I saw some in the store and it looked pretty natural. All that's needed is to hose it down every so often. It would solve the problem, but not be permanent. Hmmm.....

[pscot]

18. Have you thought about bark?

Or maybe areas of bark and of gravel with some blocks and pavers to give it definition. Get some big pots and planters. Maybe a tub of water and some bird feeders. Bark holds in soil moisture. Cement be hot as hell with the Sun on it, and it's so permanent. The Romans built the coliseum out of it, and it's still there.