DIY Network

From Dirt to Dog Training Course With Seating for Mom: The Bitterman Backyard The Grounds for Improvement team converts a barren backyard into an oasis. From "Grounds for Improvement" episode DGFI-405

Hosts Jackie Taylor and Dean Hill, along with homeowner Jennifer Bitterman and her friends and family, first clear out the entire yard. All trash and debris is sent to the curb. Then the heavy machinery comes out as Dean cultivates the soil using a utility loader with a tiller attachment. Dust flies but the ground is prepared for the sod as the others rake up large rocks and edge around the perimeter using spades.

Then the backyard is converted into a fun playland for Jennifer Bitterman's son, Jordan, and their family dog, Blue, with a unique dog training course.

And Mom gets the patio of her dreams, created with 24" x 24" concrete pavers. The result is a bodacious backyard any family would cherish!

DIY's Grounds for Improvement crew comes to the rescue for the...

Bitterman family with a fun backyard facelift with each family member in mind.

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	Jennifer Bitterman's backyard wasn't exactly the perfect place for her son, Jordan, and their dog, Blue, to play before the Grounds for Improvement team came to the rescue.
	Concrete pavers create the perfect patio and barbecue area.
	Jordan and Blue will enjoy the dog training course!

Tools:

tape measure
level
electric power sprayer
ladder
rotor-tiller
rake
wheelbarrow
tape measure

Materials:

patio style (we used Stippled French Gray #504)
24" x 24" concrete pavers
level
tape measure

Sod Lawn:

tiller
rake
spade
shovel
sod
hose
sprinkler
15% x 15% x 15% fertilizer
wheelbarrow

Plants:

fig trees
sod
One 15 gal. Chinese Pistache
One 15 gal. Ginko Biloba
One 15 gal. Carrotwood
10 variegated Climbing Figs

	Dean Hill, DIY's landscape-design expert, left, explains to Jennifer Bitterman (center) the process of cleaning the backyard and what handy utility loaders can do. Host Jackie Taylor is right.
	Figure A

Laying the Sod

Clean up the area! Remove all lawn furniture, toys, and garden supplies like hoses and sprinklers.

1. Rotor-till the top 4" of soil so that it can be grated out to create a nice medium for the sod to sit on.

   Tip: Be sure to call your utility companies and have all the utilities well marked before you start tilling and digging.

2. Use a spade around the concert areas.

3. Prep the lawn by raking up all the weeds and debris from the soil and leveling out the loose soil.

4. Sprinkle 15% nitrogen, 15% phosphorous and 15% potassium fertilizer on the tilled soil.

5. Starting in the corner, roll out the sod end to end (figure A).

6. Stagger the seams of the sod.

7. Trim the edges around the trees and along any other areas that the sod should not grow.

8. Take a roll of sod, lay it out and cut out 6" strips with a spade. Place the 6" strips in between the pavers.

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