An insight to the daily life of a garden design and landscaping build up on a rear garden located in Cullompton, Exeter, Devon.

Day 10

View previous day here

Coffee.

Electric ducting installed

Electric ducting installation

The trench depth for the 60mm diameter black ribbed duct is hand dug at 300mm, I still have an additional 100mm of consolidated sub base to install bringing the overall depth to the required 400mm.

This particular ducting product comes with a draw cord inserted within the duct, as a rule of thumb I would tie two pieces of timber at each end of the ducting so not to loose the cord, then cover with plastic to stop debris falling in the duct, then the appropriate colour code tape is wrapped around the end of the ducting.

However, on this occasion I insert all the electric cable for the project with a meter spare at each end.  The pre installed draw cord is left in the duct in-case additional cables or a later replacement may be required.

Sub base back fill

Sub base back fill

The ducting is backfilled with the 40mm to dust to a level of 150mm from finish floor level, FFL,  and consolidated.

Electrical warning tape installed 

Electrical warning tape installed

The trench is semi backfilled to the required level of 150mm below FFL and the ducting is marked with electrical warning tape.

Once the entire ducting has been taped the trench is filled and consolidated in 100mm layers, compacted until the required height of fill is reached.

Ducting trench compaction

Ducting trench compaction

No my team member isn't about to run the wacker plate over the mixer cable, the mixer is unplugged before three passes on each layer is consolidated, all our trenches or any back fill is built up in 75-100mm layers and compacted, the seven perimeter raised black limestone planters with up lighters have been left open for the later looping of the electrical cable.

Recess's wall brickwork

Recess wall brick work

The brick work is installed to the rear of the two recess walls, six courses are required for each wall. I run five courses at present and will finish the last course of brickwork once the mortar has gone off, making the final course so much easier to lay.

Friday clean down

Friday clean down

I rarely see any of my clients past or present whilst I'm building their dream garden, so I try to put myself in their position.

Each Friday evening the team will carry out what's known as our "Friday clean down", I know that all my clients will walk onto the project together over the weekend and view what's been created throughout the week and visualise together the finished landscaped garden, so the site is left as tidy and safe as possible, windows, sills are washed of dust and all components to the garden build up are stowed away.

Landscaping feature walling

Landscaping feature walling

I'm unable to complete the walling as I await my final lintel, I'm assured this will be with me by Monday, shame really as I would have liked the walling to be going off over the weekend.

Tomorrows blog:

Garden water reflection pond preparation

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John F replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"On choosing the height of my henchman Tim it was easy it was determined by the height of my valued regular bread and butter customers hedge height requirements so I could work on them without them having to resort to getting contractors in .
Another…"
3 hours ago
Duncan Neville replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Spot on! I had a heavy fall from a tripod ladder, and part of my safety check now is a taught chain and front leg vertical and midway between both back legs. Absolutely never lean, always cut immediately in front of you! "
3 hours ago
Tim Wallach replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"They had the niwaki pro to try out at NEC Gardeners World.  Reassuringly robust.   I'm still contemplating 8 vs 10 vs 12 though.
i can't reply to all the helpful comments and suggestions but it's appreciated to have the wisdom of you all. "
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Replay Group has appointed James Kimmings as its new Digital and Online Analyst, reinforcing the company's commitment to growing its digital presence and supporting its continued expansion. James joins Replay after almost four years at Pitchcare,…
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Adam Woods replied to Peter sellers's discussion Cordless drill
"THe Aldi and Lidl ranges are good, I havent used their drills, but lots of other battery tools, they work well, and have a battery that can be used in different things in the range.
Theyve also been through the companies German QC processes
 "
Wednesday
Adam Woods replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I used to have an 8' 3 leg adjustable when I had the business.... I added a 4' NIwaki a year or so later.... I didnt have any hedges that needed anything higher - I still have the 4', its invaluable"
Wednesday
Fusion Media posted a blog post
Redexim is pleased to announce the launch of the Sandstorm. The Sandstorm is a self-powered topdresser that works without a tractor or hydraulic connection. Simply hitch it to a utility vehicle and spread. It has a 28 ft³ (800 L) capacity and can…
Wednesday
Geoffrey King replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Of course they are more akward to carry, but using a regular ladder now feels preposterous.
I thought long and hard about tripod ladders before getting the 12 ft one over 10 years ago.
Well one clear advantage they have, they stand up by themselves.…"
Wednesday
Honey Badger replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"Last year a customer asked me to give him a price to clip over his 18ft tall holly shrub he offered use of his extention ladder so. My reply was 'No that's what the young and the stupid do and I am neither'. Made him laugh.
All ladders are dangerous…"
Tuesday
Graham Taylor replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I just use an ordinary extending 2 piece ladder with a 6' plank across the top which stops it falling into the hedge..........  never seem to have a problem   These tripod ladders certainly look impressive but they look a right pain to lug about,…"
Tuesday
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Geoffrey King replied to Tim Wallach's discussion Tripod ladder user? Your advice sought please!
"I have a 12ft & 8ft , the 8ft has been really useful especially for picking fruit & pruning fruit trees
The photo shows some one  using the ladder unsafely
Firstly he looks right handed, therefore the ladder should be place the other way around with…"
Tuesday
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