Quote:
Originally Posted by chadknowslaw
I did this all myself in my yard, which is just under 1/4 acre and I have the blisters and calluses to prove it.
The first trenching machine I rented was a small one that was not self-propelled. They are basically a big chain saw for dirt. The first one was not up to the task and it threw the chain off after about 25 feet of digging, so I went back and got the bigger, self-propelled model. That worked much better, but after about 50 feet it blew out a hydraulic line. Third time is a charm! They gave me a new one that had never been used before and I dug enough trenches to stop a Panzer division.
My yard now has a soft feel to it like a midwestern yard , not that hard-as-a-parking lot feel like most Arizona lawns. The trees I planted (holes had to be dug with a pick axe) have spread roots under the grassy areas, so they no longer need separate drip watering and everything gets watered when the grass is watered.
In the end you will have a lot of extra dirt after leveling, which I piled in a corner and planted some lantana on it which grew down and covered the pile.
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Well, I'm planning on putting in a raised bed across the back of the yard that will incorporate a fountain, or some kind of water feature, and a fire pit. So I'll need all the dirt I can get.
That raised bed is something I'm not looking forward to building, but worth it in the end if it actually turns out the way I see it in my head.
Good idea about running power out there while I'm laying the sprinkler lines, that's gold dude.
