With the patio ready for guests, it's time to tackle the yard. Just past the perimeter wall the view is cluttered with highway traffic, billboards and power lines. But by blocking the visual clutter with strategically placed vegetation, the eye is drawn to the mountain views in the distance. The existing palm is pruned, and Mexican fan palms, which thrive in dry climates and often exist on only 4" of rain a year, are planted along the wall. Organic matter is added to each planting site; future fertilization will be needed only on a yearly basis (figure A).
What was once a boring covered concrete pad is now a unique outdoor kitchen, complete with a grill and refrigerator (figure B) (figure C).
The misting system and new ceiling fans will keep the area cool even during a barbecue in the middle of summer (figure D). New landscaping breaks up the nondescript perimeter wall and directs the eye to a dreamy, soothing view of the mountains (figure E).
And by doing the work themselves, along with some good friends, Deven and Jordan saved approximately $1,000, with the total renovation costing $10,500Next: Complete Bar and Grill Project
RESOURCES :
Black and Decker tools
Website: www.blackanddecker.com
Black & Decker, Inc. (Corporate)
Website: www.bdk.com/main_bd.htm
Porter-Cable Tools
Porter-Cable Corporation
Website: www.deltaportercable.com
Irwin Industrial Tool Company
Website: www.irwin.com
Ames True Temper Tools
Ames-True Temper
Website: www.ames-truetemper.com
American Society of Landscape Architects
Delta Tools
Deltak Power Tools
Website: www.deltamachinery.com
Outdoor kitchens
Outdoor Kitchen Concepts
Website: www.outdoorkitchenconcepts.com
Plants provided by Star Nursery
| 
![PHOTO](javascript:popup("http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2005/04/25/dgfi204_4fa_e.jpg",350,450))
)
)
)
)
