Best Yard Before and Afters 2011

Who: Don & Julie M.
Where: Moseley, Va.

Using treated wood, we constructed eight 6-by-6-foot frames, arranged them, and then bolted them all to one another; the frames adjacent to the deck were bolted to the deck. Next, we shoveled tons of granite dust into the frames. Then we placed the cast-iron tree crates into the frames and filled the empty space with granite dust. Using Quikcrete, we installed the slate and embossed-brick sections. Then we installed the aggregate walkway and posts. We placed store-bought aggregate stepping stones in the grate openings. Last, we installed the landscape plants.

Who did the work: I did most of the work myself.
Cost: $1,000 to $5,000