HERE I shared the start of this little project!

The stone steps were a major part of this little makeover…and in all honesty the hard part. Moving these stone steps into place took some serious planning, preparation and muscle.

Now all it needed was a little topsoil and sod!

No biggy right?

WRONG!!!!!

The retaining wall was there for a reason…to keep the yard from having a severe slope and prevent serious erosion.

This was day one…

…after new soil and sod three years ago….

So it was super important to make sure that after I removed the retaining wall the grade was gradual.

First I used the leftover backfill to create a solid base where we removed the block retaining wall.

Then LOTS of topsoil and some very careful grading….

I used quality shifted top soil and made sure it was well compacted and level before putting down sod. After I installed the sod I noticed a few “low” spots, so I pulled back the sod and added a little soil.

This yard is primarily shade so I used fescue sod which is what we had put down three years ago. Fescue is a pretty grass but it does require shade and annual reseeding, unlike bermuda.

So…how did it all turn out….

I LOVE it! Love it!

By spring the new sod will bed down and seamlessly blend into the existing lawn!

Still debating what to plant to the right of the steps where I expanded the flower bed, but that will come in time. Maybe another dogwood…maybe a few azaleas.

It may appear as if the steps go “nowhere” but the seasonal water is a hair in front of them…I use the steps all the time!

My original plan included cladding the landscaping blocks to the right of the steps and behind the shade bed with native stone. Truthfully, I don’t even notice them now and I really think I will just leave it be for the time being.

Right now I am just focused on the sod….lots of water and a little bit of sun. So far, so good!

Fall is literally right around the corner so in the next few weeks the leaves will start falling…hoping the sod will be rooted and ready!