Among other backyard items, I worked on the yoga platforms this weekend. Three platforms like these are the goal:
Choosing dimensions for them took me forever! I laid a yoga mat out and measured that, and then tried to envision what all I would want to do on the platform; e.g. soak in the sun, spread out garden books and catalogs, play Scrabble with a friend... I looked closely at the ones that Jamie Durie built in the photo above and concluded that while they were not true squares, they were close to being square. I finally settled upon 6' x 7'.
So then I had to figure out where all the posts would go. I started out with a tape measure, wooden stakes and string. It was not hugely successful. Then I decided to use 1" x 2"s and build a square which I could lay on the ground and mark. Knowing the frame was very temporary I didn't do a super job on affixing the corners. It ended up being sort of fragile and since my arms were too short to be able to reach 2 parallel sides to carry it, moving it around was challenging. I did get it over to the area of the yard I needed it in without it falling apart. I laid it down, and spray painted the perimeter, with some extra spray paint markers for the posts. I planned to use the side perimeter lines to help me square up the posts to each other.
Then I dug the first 4 post holes:
I traded vehicles with Red, and I was off to Home Depot. I bought 24 feet of treated 4" x 4" lumber, and had them cut it into 2' lengths. I could do that at home, but their in store saw set up is so sweet that it's really easy for them. I also bought 4 bags of concrete.
When I got home I dug the remaining 8 holes. I dug the holes 9 inches square and 10 inches deep. The goal was 12 inches deep. I got tired, what can I say? I used the dirt I dug up to fill in holes from the backsteps footings. Handy.
My neighbor came over for something else while I was reading the concrete bag label, pronounced that she had worked a summer pouring driveways (?) and knew all about concrete mixing and pouring. Are you kidding? She helped me out -- I stirred the concrete in the wheelbarrow and she sprayed the appropriate amount of water in. Then I held the post in the hole, using a level to be certain to get it vertical and squared it up using my handy spraypainted lines and a 1" x 2" and voila! We got 8 of the 12 poured and before we ran out of concrete. But that is enough posts for 2 of the 3 platforms. I was giddy when we were through.
Here's how it looks now:
The posts are different heights, it's true. It's intentional. When we are ready to build, we'll use my laser level and cut them off all the same height. I hope to do that Saturday morning... my sister arrives Saturday afternoon. And I know you'll recall my goal of wanting at least one built before she arrives!
I need to dig up the grass within the perimeter of the second one; the first one is already done. And then tack down weed stop fabric, and likely put down a layer of pea gravel. I plan to do a 12 inch border of river stone around each of the platforms -- but not before Saturday afternoon! And then maybe some lavender or some sedum growing between the stones. Ahhhh. Zen. Pending. Stay tuned.
Choosing dimensions for them took me forever! I laid a yoga mat out and measured that, and then tried to envision what all I would want to do on the platform; e.g. soak in the sun, spread out garden books and catalogs, play Scrabble with a friend... I looked closely at the ones that Jamie Durie built in the photo above and concluded that while they were not true squares, they were close to being square. I finally settled upon 6' x 7'.
So then I had to figure out where all the posts would go. I started out with a tape measure, wooden stakes and string. It was not hugely successful. Then I decided to use 1" x 2"s and build a square which I could lay on the ground and mark. Knowing the frame was very temporary I didn't do a super job on affixing the corners. It ended up being sort of fragile and since my arms were too short to be able to reach 2 parallel sides to carry it, moving it around was challenging. I did get it over to the area of the yard I needed it in without it falling apart. I laid it down, and spray painted the perimeter, with some extra spray paint markers for the posts. I planned to use the side perimeter lines to help me square up the posts to each other.
Then I dug the first 4 post holes:
I traded vehicles with Red, and I was off to Home Depot. I bought 24 feet of treated 4" x 4" lumber, and had them cut it into 2' lengths. I could do that at home, but their in store saw set up is so sweet that it's really easy for them. I also bought 4 bags of concrete.
When I got home I dug the remaining 8 holes. I dug the holes 9 inches square and 10 inches deep. The goal was 12 inches deep. I got tired, what can I say? I used the dirt I dug up to fill in holes from the backsteps footings. Handy.
My neighbor came over for something else while I was reading the concrete bag label, pronounced that she had worked a summer pouring driveways (?) and knew all about concrete mixing and pouring. Are you kidding? She helped me out -- I stirred the concrete in the wheelbarrow and she sprayed the appropriate amount of water in. Then I held the post in the hole, using a level to be certain to get it vertical and squared it up using my handy spraypainted lines and a 1" x 2" and voila! We got 8 of the 12 poured and before we ran out of concrete. But that is enough posts for 2 of the 3 platforms. I was giddy when we were through.
Here's how it looks now:
I need to dig up the grass within the perimeter of the second one; the first one is already done. And then tack down weed stop fabric, and likely put down a layer of pea gravel. I plan to do a 12 inch border of river stone around each of the platforms -- but not before Saturday afternoon! And then maybe some lavender or some sedum growing between the stones. Ahhhh. Zen. Pending. Stay tuned.
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