391 Bricks Later

Well the work is done. At least the bricks are removed. It took me two mornings to remove the brick sidewalk in 90 degree heat. I could only work for about 2 hours each morning before the heat got to me - and that was at 6:30 in the morning! It's not only about loosening the bricks, but it's putting them in the wheelbarrow (with the almost flat tire), pushing it down to driveway and then taking them out and stacking them. So each brick actually got handled twice, so it was more like moving 782 bricks!

And YES I did find more black plastic, landscape fabric and sand under the bricks, so that had to be pulled out. Black plastic was used many years ago as a weed and grass barrier. It is not recommended now as it also suffocates the soil. It was so old it fell apart as I tried to pull it up. Whatever is left will get removed when I take out the dead bermuda grass.

I also ran across tree roots. The Mulberry tree is on the other side of the yard, but I guess the roots travel far for water. They are about a half inch in diameter. I am concerned about cutting them, so I will ask an arborist before I do.

I trimmed up the rest of the bushes around the edge of the yard so I could get to the grass growing under them. I actually sprayed that grass last Sunday after I trimmed the bushed and it is already dying.

My friends all think I am crazy. My grass is looking so green and lush, everyone is complementing me on it. When I say that I did that to kill it they all look at me funny. Then I explain and they just shake their heads and their eyes glaze over. I guess not everyone is as excited as me about re-landscaping. I am turning into a gardening nerd - and I love it!

The next step is the BIG Spray! Off to shop for a sprayer and the Glyphosate. I am getting excited now.