BankerGirl

Posted by Heidi on June 2nd, 2008 in household spending

In early May I wrote a post about the fact that the retaining walls in my front yard were ant-infested, crumbling disasters.  After weighing multiple options for replacing the existing railroad ties with something more insect-resistant, we decided to go with the most cost-effective option and used free materials.

Here are the “before” pictures (the rocks sitting on top of the railroad ties were brought by my parents during one of their trips to town):

Here is the “after” shot:

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And here’s how we did it:

• 1. First, Matt tore out the old railroad ties.  Note the beams’ complete lack of integrity - they disintegrated immediately 

• 2. Then we loaded the rotten wood into my little Honda CR-V and took it to my dad’s farm

• 3. While at the farm, we picked up a load of medium-sized rocks (my father pulls them out of his fields so that he doesn’t hit them with the planter)

• 4. Return to town and place rocks where railroad ties once were.  Repeat as necessary.

• 5. Plant sedum between rocks and wait for it to grow in.

I realize that not everyone is able-bodied and has access to field stones, a burn pile, and a pick-up truck, but since we are and we do - it worked out well.  We ended up with new landscaping - for just the cost of gas (about $140, and we could have cut our fuel costs in half if we had done this when we first bought the house).  Plus, we got to visit my folks and exercise the dog (she likes to swim in their pond). 

Matt put in most of the sweat equity, so I’m feeling really guilty about last week’s post right about now.

It may not be the most beautiful landscaping around, but we’re pretty pleased with it, all things considered.  It’s insect-proof, weather-proof, and it will look a ton better once I get some bright, colorful annuals planted in the flower beds.

Stumble it!