We are preparing our farm (just over 5 acres..small but enough for our needs) for a ministry our family wants to start in the next 2 years. We would like to offer summer camps for foster kids (great need in our community)...we have a pool of wonderful families willing to help and serve as counselors...we just need to get the hardscaping done. At first, we're only looking at about 50 kids but would like to have up to 100 each summer...so I need to make sure what we do put in is durable.

I found an incredible deal on pavers at a liquidation sale...more than 70% off....so I will have about 16-17 pallets of it delivered soon. I have found a plan I like in the Belgard brochure and website that I would like to duplicate but need help..it's a 15x15 raised patio with 4 paver columns anchoring the corners....only one step up for the raised patio part...I would like to build a cedar pergola that will rest on the four columns...just not sure if I need to incorporate them into the columns before I build. I was hoping to build the patio now and add pergola next year when funds are more available. It's a full sun area and we need some shade. I designed the raised patio to offer seating on the outside as benches...

This is about the look I'm going after just want it resting on the columns I plan on building...like this...

So can I go ahead and build the raised patio with corner columns and put a limestone slab on the top that I can rest the pergola on in the future or do I need to anchor the pergola into the columns??

Other questions I have...

1. I'm in North Alabama, high clay content...plan on using 4 inch sub base of crusher run..any recommendations on paver edge reinforcements? Most my lines are linear and no curves.

2. I need to divert water from my downspout away from the deck..figured I'd dig 8-12 inches deep and lay a bed of crusher rock then a flexible pipe..cover with?? and have it come out on the eastern side of the house...

3. Plan on using polymeric sand for paver filler. Can I use a compactor directly on the pavers or do I need to use 2x6's to rest it on?

Thanks for your help!!

Tara

I have to dig up a 25x16 concrete deck the former owners poured over the septic tank..oh joy..can I use the concrete from that to help build up the 15x15 raised patio??

I could fill in gaps with crusher rock and tamper it down?

Tara

I ran underground pvc piping for part of my gutters. Where it came out at was flat ground so at the end we installed a popup. When the pvc gets full it does exactly that, pops up to release water. Has worked great the 2 years it's been in. I will say you really need to have gutter guard on your house gutters to prevent leaves and tree seeds from filling up and going into your underground gutters and clogging them up. I did not need any base other than dirt with the pvc and I just put the dirt and grass right back on top. This year I am making a garden bed over to the edge of it.

Most people do use sand for paver filler. I did on some of mine and hated it. This is maple leaf seed area and I have to use the vacuum/blower on that area. It just blows the sand right out. Will not do that again. Will fill with dirt and any weeds that come up just requires a once or twice a year spraying. But you may not have the same problems.

Sounds like you have a lot of work ahead of you and a lovely area planned. Hope you come back so we can see results as you go.
Cher

When you know that, come back for the cosmetic bits.

No permit needed on the hardscaping, I did pull the permit for the pool and electrical. I have not heard of the pop-up on drainage, that sounds like something I might could look into, I definitely want gutter guard on that section..we have no mature trees in the back but the front has hundred year old oaks that put leaves out...

We are still looking at our options, it may start out just offering free swimming lessons to foster children and then move to the horse lessons....we're still 2 years from starting that so we're not considering overnight camps or long camps, just a free service for those families where we can donate our time and our skills.

I do plan on using polymeric sand as my filler between joints, with the pool, this is my best option. I plan on using a snap edge at the paver outline...

The only landscaping I have for the beds so far are three items...

1. Paper bark maple (just to left of raised deck area) young tree but won't have spreading roots like most maples.
2. Dogwood tree outside the side gate..
3. perennial black eyed susan and coreopsis...considering putting a whole bed of those...they are prolific and look amazing but wonder if all the seeds blowing will be messy with the pool...

I plan on putting an annual planting bed just outside the screen door entering pool area and one seasonal color entering the raised patio...if anyone has experience with zone 7 plantings and could suggest some plants for this area..I'd greatly appreciate it!!

Thanks!!
Tara