Before & Afters

THE Do It Yourself Project

3 June, 2013
Retainer block steps

Isn’t the name of this post mystifying?  It’s not any ‘ol DIY project…it’s THE Do It Yourself Project.  What could it be?  Well…to DEmystify the title…let’s go with this title instead, DIY Super Simple and Super Hard But Super Cheap and Probably Not Very Safe Outdoor Steps.  Not so exciting anymore huh?

I decided that I needed some steps in between the raised garden beds that I built into our big slope of a back yard.  Okay…maybe I didn’t need them, but I think that steps make it a little easier to get up and down the hill…unless you’re on skates…that would be hard…but…hello…who gardens in skates these days?

This is what I am working with:

This is what I wanted:

organicsteps

Willow Landscape Design

I love the organic feel of those huge natural stones.  They are gorgeous, but come on, who’s going to be carrying around those mammoth rocks?  So, I had to search for other ideas.  Something that I could handle by myself.  Like this:

examplestep

Northwest Construction and Landscape, LLC

It isn’t AS aesthetically pleasing, but it isn’t too hard on the eyes either.  Plus, it serves it’s purpose.

I started off by measuring the area from top to bottom and then from the high point of the hill to the low point.  These measurements gave me an idea of how many steps I would need.

measuringCollage I went to buy the supplies:  Retainer blocks, Sand, River Rocks, and Pea Gravel

Insanely cheap supplies!

I tried to find a retainer brick that matched the color of grout on our house.

Turns out I was way off on the color…

Starting with the bottom step, I got to digging. (hardest part)

I had planned on using one row of blocks per step (like in my inspiration pic above), but quickly found that the hill was too steep and so I doubled the middle rows.  Does that make sense?  Maybe the next picture will explain…

Used sand to help make steps even and the fabric to block weeds.

After digging out 2 wheel barrows of dirt all of the bricks were put into place.  Then, I just added the rocks and pebbles:

It kind of looks like the bricks are just stuck in there, but each step is actually level with the rocks.  Promise.

Before with no steps:

After with steps:

It’s actually pretty stable…maybe not for a 90 year old.  It will be interesting to see what happens after it settles a little.

Total cost of project:  Retainer blocks x 13 $1.35 each (on sale right now at Lowe’s), Sand $3.11, River Rock x 2 $3.98,  Pea Gravel $3.65 = $35!  Not too shabby!  (Tools and fabric and my muscles were already on hand.)

So…what do you think of the new steps?  I know exactly what you are thinking…gheeettttto FABULOUS!!

Thank you so much for visiting!

signew

I often share with these fine people…

SUNDAY
Creative Homeacre Blog Hop @ A Cultivated Nest
DIY Project Parade @DIY Showoff
Overflowing With Creativity @It’s Overflowing
Think Pink Sunday @Flamingo Toes
Nifty Thrifty Sunday @Nifty Thrifty Things
MONDAY
Give Me the Goods @ Better With Age
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple Crafts
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Tutorial and Tips @ Home Stories A to Z
Make The Scene Monday @ Alderberry Hill
TUESDAY
Tuesdays Treasures @ Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
From Dream to Reality @ The DIY Dreamer
Crafty Tuesday @ Blooming Homestead
WEDNESDAY
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
A Little Birdie Told Me Link Party @ The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Lil’ Luna Link Party @ Lil’ Luna
Down Home Bloghop @ Tilly’s Nest
Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts
Whimsy Wednesday
Swing into Spring Wednesday @ DIY by Design
THURSDAY
Hookin’ Up With House of Hepworths @ The House Of Hepworths
A Crafty Soiree @ Yesterday on Tuesday
Blog Link Party @ Somewhat Simple
The 36th Avenue Party Time @ 36th Avenue
Craftberry Bush Linky Party @ Craftberry Bush
Inspiration Gallery Liz Marie 
Grace at Home @ Imparting Grace
FRIDAY
Weekend Bloggy Reading @ Serenity Now Blog
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Fabulously Creative Friday @ Jennifer Rizzo
Feathered Nest Friday @ The French Country Cottage
Weekend Wrap Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest
Lovely Crafty Weekend @ Lovely Crafty Home
Fertilizer Friday @ Tootsie Time
SATURDAY
Show and Tell Saturday @ Be Different Act Normal

You Might Also Like

24 Comments

  • Reply Kevin Turner 3 June, 2013 at 2:37 am

    You crack me up!!! Love reading your posts. The project, as most outdoor projects, almost never meets our expectations since everything looks so “raw” and new. Give it some time and nature will take its course. I think you did a great job!

    BTW- Was Craig any part of this? Can’t imagine him getting his hands dirty! 😉

    KT

    • Reply Luisa 3 June, 2013 at 11:31 pm

      Thanks for the encouragement Kevin! Nope. Craig was no part of this…ha! You know him so well…

  • Reply Ann 3 June, 2013 at 2:42 am

    This is amazing!!! It turned out so great and what a price. Well done girl!

    • Reply Luisa 3 June, 2013 at 11:32 pm

      Thank you for your sweet comment Ann!

  • Reply Crystelle Boutique 3 June, 2013 at 10:14 am

    I can’t believe how gorgeous your steps are! You are so amazing to DIY those. I bet you grew some muscles doing it too… LOL! :)
    Enjoy that yard-paradise of yours!!!!
    hugs x
    Crystelle
    Make sure to join our HCG drops giveaway right here

    • Reply Luisa 3 June, 2013 at 11:32 pm

      :-)

  • Reply the cape on the corner 5 June, 2013 at 2:47 am

    wow! what a great idea, and good for you doing it yourself. looks like you’ve got a lot of great things growing, too.

    • Reply Luisa 9 June, 2013 at 1:57 am

      Thank you!

  • Reply Kathy 5 June, 2013 at 11:24 am

    If you find the stone start to slip do they make some sort of adhesive that you could attach the top steps to the bottom?

    • Reply Luisa 9 June, 2013 at 1:57 am

      I’m not sure Kathy, but the stones do have little grooves that kind of keep them from slipping!

  • Reply Jamie 9 June, 2013 at 11:02 am

    Wow, you are a brave woman to tackle that project! It turned out great. Love it! Thanks for sharing at Give Me The Goods Monday!
    Jamie @Better With Age

    • Reply Luisa 29 July, 2013 at 3:32 am

      Thanks Jamie!

  • Reply Audra @ Renewed Projects 11 June, 2013 at 10:49 am

    Nice stairs. I have the same rocks in my garden but never thought of using them as stair steps like this.

    • Reply Luisa 29 July, 2013 at 3:33 am

      Thank you for stopping by Audra!

  • Reply Mary@Back to the Basics! 16 June, 2013 at 12:53 am

    Great idea! My garden is flat but I was thinking about steps in between rows of tomatoes and peppers.

    Thanks so much for sharing at The Creative HomeAcre Hop! Looking forward to seeing what you share this week!

    http://back2basichealth.blogspot.com/2013/06/welcome-to-another-creative-homeacre-hop.html

    • Reply Luisa 29 July, 2013 at 3:34 am

      Thank you Mary :-)

  • Reply 2013 Home Improvement Goals Revisited 27 December, 2013 at 10:30 am

    […] also managed to build a few garden beds and guess what?  Some veggies actually survived…and…we even ate […]

  • Reply real followers on instagram free 9 August, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no
    doubt that that you need to publish more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but usually
    people do not speak about these issues. To the next! Many thanks!!
    real followers on instagram free recently posted…real followers on instagram freeMy Profile

  • Reply Instant Computer Cash 27 September, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    I have read so many articles on the topic of the blogger
    lovers but this paragraph is in fact a pleasant post, keep it up.
    Instant Computer Cash recently posted…Instant Computer CashMy Profile

  • Reply EyeTensive Review 27 September, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    EyeTensive Review

    THE Do It Yourself Project

  • Reply Caroline 27 September, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    I’m extremely pleased to find this page. I want to to thank you for your time due to
    this wonderful read!! I definitely really liked every bit of it and I have
    you saved as a favorite to see new things in your website.
    Caroline recently posted…CarolineMy Profile

  • Reply cellessence Reviews 28 September, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    cellessence Reviews

    THE Do It Yourself Project

  • Reply velour Reviews 1 October, 2014 at 12:03 am

    velour Reviews

    THE Do It Yourself Project

  • Reply Fighter Body Review 1 October, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    This excellent website definitely has all the info I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
    Fighter Body Review recently posted…Fighter Body ReviewMy Profile

  • Leave a Reply to Luisa Cancel Reply

    CommentLuv badge