Tuesday, January 28, 2014

New Sidewalk - New ideas

This fall we decided to do something about our front walk. It was the original walk that was poured when the house was built 30 odd years ago. It was typical three foot wide straight shot from the driveway to the front  porch/door.
As you might be able to see the old sidewalk had sunk into the ground and was lower than the drive. That meant that when it rained if you entered our front door you had to wade through water to get there, NOT good.
That little side walk was big trouble when they started to rip it out. Sledge hammer and a jack hammer wouldn't hardly budge it. They had to call in the big guns so to speak. This little machine came in and made mincemeat out of all that concrete. 
After ripping out the old walk the fellow that ran the machine turned it around and started digging out for the walk. It didn't take him long at all. 
You can see how we changed the layout of the sidewalk. It went from a skinny straight shot to... 
a 5'wide sweep up to the front porch. This eliminated a tall step up to the porch too. Now there is a very moderate step.
We were having the coldest snap so far this fall while they were working wouldn't you know. They had to wheel 3 yards of concrete in the cold. 
After the concrete was in place. They smoothed, made relief cuts and then rolled a nice pattern onto the concrete. 
It was so cold that they had to put big thermal tarps over the concrete so it wouldn't freeze. 
In the picture below you can see how it looks. Those white spots are little piles of salt that haven't melted off. We have had such an awful winter weather-wise. I have used salt on our new walk. So far so good. It is holding up. 

Now for the new ideas. You can see the open area to the left. I am chomping at the bit wanting to plant it up. I have had so many ideas as to what I want there. I can hardly wait for spring. This will be one of my first projects. Do you have any new ideas for your garden this spring? Try to stay warm.

25 comments:

  1. Big improvement! I hate when the walk is lower than the adjoining bed and soil, mulch, etc. washes down when it rains.

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  2. Thanks Jason. We have had so many positive remarks. No wet feet for our guests either. :)

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  3. Looks great, Lisa, I love the curve. And a new flower bed waiting for you - what could be better! Be careful of the salt, it really did a number on my old sidewalk.

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  4. What a wonderful new walk! We could use a similar one.

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  5. oh, Lisa...this is fantastic! what a lovely improvement! i never realized about thermal tarps being needed in freezing weather, but makes sense! You are gonna love that wider walkway! The planting will be great fun! How about a succulent area? Or would they freeze in winter? I'm sure you will make it gorgeous, and can't wait to see!
    xoxo- Julie

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  6. Upgrading the front walk always makes such a big difference, and your changes are fantastic. I know you will enjoy your new walk for practical and aesthetic reasons.

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  7. I LOVE this! Great job. Is it higher than the grass or even? And is there something between it and the grass? Thanks so much for posting all the steps. Really just so great.

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  8. It looks great, Lisa! I love the curve to it--so much more inviting. How exciting to have a new area to plant; I know it's going to be lovely when you finish.

    I have several projects in mind for this spring; I hope I get them all done. I finally convinced my husband to cut back the overgrown yews in front of our house the fall before last, and I think we might have killed them--so sad:) Now to dig them all out and replace them with something I like!

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  9. Much nicer with that wide curve! I too am chomping at the bit to see what you plant up in the new space.

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  10. What a fine transformation you've made, already – just with that curve. One change begets many; you have unlimited opportunities for putting in plants, stones ornaments. I can hardly wait to see what you do.

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  11. What a change, Lisa! One good thing about the cold - you can't do anything right away, so more time for thinking and dreaming of what fun you'll have with the new shapes and borders.

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

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  12. Lost Roses, yes, I am aware of the salt issue. It has been so darned cold here I have sort of ignored that aspect. I should get out and sweep it off.

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  13. Julie, no succulent other than hens and chicks would survive our cold. Maybe a couple of hardy cactus. I am not going that way.

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  14. Nan, the sidewalk is about even with the grass to higher. All that needs to be dealt with yet. It just got tooo cold too fast for any landscaping. The ground is frozen.

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  15. Lee, can't wait to act on some of those unlimited opportunities. I need more space for everything I would like to do. ha... Isn't that the way it always goes??

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  16. What an undertaking...and it looks so nice!

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  17. What a chance to have a new space to plant. Lucky you! I can imagine that you're longing for Spring to come. Your sidewalk looks nice with this soft round shape.

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  18. Oh that is really attractive. I love all the cool machines they have for specific projects like this. Very neat.

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  19. Oh Lisa... I love, love, love this new path sweep! I am excited for you over here thinking about the fun you are going to have planting this. I'm looking forward to planting up my pond this year too :-D

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  20. Lisa, That is a great looking sidewalk! I look forward to seeing your new plantings!

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  21. Love the new sidewalk and yes, I can see why you are chomping at the bit! That area is calling your name girl...

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  22. What a nice change and a great investment in your home. I can't wait to see what you put there. I see lots of lower layers and lots of color all melded together. Good luck!

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  23. Wonderful new walk. Good thing it's nice and wide so you can let plants flop over the edge and still have plenty of room. I can picture a lilac lollipop in that curve. Nice to have a specific project to concentrate on and one that is a reasonable size so you can do it in a season.

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