Blue Castle Garden: Year 14 (Part 1)

In early 2018, a distinctive paver stone pathway was constructed. This replaced the flowerbed gravel pathway and the slanted sidewalk blocks.

Built over many evenings and several weekends, this project tied together the front entrance, stone bench and pocket garden. It also removed a serious winter slip hazard by creating steps and level landings.

 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Installed Front Yard Pathway

Using AutoCAD, I designed a paver stone pathway which included numerous elevation changes, large sweeping curves and two small retaining walls. To eliminate paver stone waste, it was designed down to the brick.

This project used Barkman Roman Pavers and a Barkman Roman Circle in Sierra Grey. Retaining walls and steps were created with Barkman RomanPisa blocks in Charcoal (now discontinued). 

Removing sidewalk blocks to be later repurposed in my parents’ yard.

Barring foot traffic from entering the excavation.

Pounding in an aluminum plate to keep critters from living under the step. 

Compacting the gravel layer with a heavy-duty plate compactor.

Stones for the first course waiting to be laid.

Leveling sand to create an even base.

Securing the cap stones with glue.

Settling the stones and filling the cracks with sand.

Prepping the gravel base for the Roman paver circle.

Laying the Roman paver circle.  

Extending and leveling the sand base.

Using a transit level to ensure correct elevations (left). Leveling pavers with a mallet and board to prevent chipping (right).

Checking the elevation of the plastic guides holding in the paver stones.

Marking stone cuts to fill gaps in the pattern.

Nailing in long spikes to firmly secure the plastic guides.

Roughly positioned plastic guides.

Sand layer topping the gravel base.

Blocks were laid according to the blueprint pattern. 

Gently tapping in pavers with a rubber mallet.

Grinding blocks to adjust the fit. 

Topping the glued base layer with capstones.

Cap and base stones were trimmed to create an even semicircle.

Cutting large capstones with a rented wet saw.

Using a level on a notched board for an even finish.

Left over block remnants from the completed project.

Finished pathway before removing excess gravel.

Edges were backfilled and the grass relaid.

The new pathway complimented the style and color of the birdbath.

Larger, darker cap stones provided constrast to the smaller paver stones.

The curved pathway ended at the small pocket garden.

Viewing the birdbath from the Roman circle.

The new pathway merged with the existing concrete step.

More projects from this year continue in Blue Castle Garden: Year 14 (Part 2).

This post is part of the Blue Castle Garden Timeline series.