Hello all,
I have finally come to the step of laying my gravel/item 4 (I wish it were item 3 instead). The project has taken so much longer than expected. It took weeks to dig out the topsoil, lay perimeter bricks on the exterior, and then the interior retaining wall. I was actually able to fit the bricks slightly under the base which was a nice surprise.
Now my job is a certain but monotonous one: use a wheelbarrow with a painfully flat tire to repeatedly haul gravel until all 2000 pounds is inside the structure. I will likely post a photo update soon. Thankfully the weather has been hospitable as the bulk of my “inventory” remains outside.
Next I will tamp the gravel, lay geotextile fabric, then lay sand and tamp and level it, then finally pavers.
Then, I have the task of organizing all 230 or so plants back inside before the temps go below 45f.