The Mezas' New Backyard

Weekend Warriors : Episode WAR-112 -- More Projects »
Photo

Before
Photo

After
Reuben and Narda Meza's backyard is a mess. Their driveway has just been expanded and there's little more back there than bare concrete, dirt, trash cans and a woodpile . So the couple is determined to revamp the area. They're going to rebuild the wooden fence, build a raised flowerbed, create a path out of cement pavers, and re-sod the lawn. Narda has an idea for lining the planter with cement cylinders, but they'll have to build the cylinders from scratch themselves.

At first, Narda and Reuben get busy on the fence. The old one is dismantled and whatever can be salvaged is. Reuben splits a framing piece but manages to replace it. Then half the new facing boards are screwed into place, and he and Narda move on to the garden. They make a bed for the pavers and are happy with the way things look until Narda breaks one while putting it into place. The prototype cement cylinder is a success, so they get busy pouring a few of the 80-odd pieces they'll need to create the project.

Their second full Saturday is spent finishing up the fence and then placing the cylinders. Each one is set underground in concrete, and the Mezas exhaust themselves trying to get them all placed in one day. Reuben talks Narda into toughing it out and finally the last cylinder is in place. The Mezas can't help but feel proud of themselves for what they've accomplished.

A few weeks later we see the lush new plants and lawn with the beautiful fence as a backdrop. The cylinders were a lot harder to do than they had expected, but they give the Mesas' backyard a distinct look they couldn't have gotten otherwise.

Also in this Episode