Prep Work

We worked hard on Saturday to get finished what we could before the promised rain arrived.  The rain came early, so although we were able to dig a bit and to get the tools put away, we did not have enough time to cover the areas with tarps that we had dug out.  I figured we would face a muddy mess this morning.  I was wrong.

We got just to the end of the patio on Saturday before the rains came.

We awoke to soil that was barely damp even though we did have a couple of good showers yesterday.  Actually, what rain we received we could have tolerated at that rate for about 48 hours.  Two inches below the surface, the soil was dry.  While that was wonderful as far as moving dirt was concerned (dry dirt weighs less than wet mud), we certainly could have used more rain for the trees, flowers, and grass.

We started the day with part of the north side dug out, and finished the day with the topsoil gone, with the area "roughed in," and with just some more dirt removal yet to go.

Yesterday Rick had dug to just around the corner of the patio to see where our new drain pipe would go. (See the picture above.)

Rick used a string line to define where the pavers
will lie in front of the patio,

Today we finished excavating that part of the yard, and Rick dug out the area in front of the patio.

The north side needs more dirt removed and the slope
graded so the rain will drain to the front yard.

We filled in low spots in front of the fence.

And have more mounds of dirt to distribute in front of the sheds.

We are quickly running out of room for the excess dirt.  I spent most of today just picking four bags' worth of grass and debris out of what Rick is digging up. Then I have to spread the dirt into an even layer.  We really need a bobcat to do a good job in the back, but my garden rake will have to do for now.

We worked until noon then had to quit as the sun became too
intense.  We accomplished what we wanted to do today.

Tomorrow will see the end of the dirt removal/ dispersement at least for the back yard.  We also will probably install a drain and the piping to go with it so we can move on to the next step: paver base!