Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - landscaping questions?

I am planning on doing some improvement in our yard, I am building a 6' x 5' planter, and putting up a metal and canvas 10' x 10' gazebo. The problem I am having is finding, and pricing the bricks I want to put down. I don't want anything too expensive, and it doesn't have to be real fancy either. I haven't figured up the exact measurements but I am guessing around, 26' or more by about 15'. We have a new shed that is 10' x 8', and I would like to lay the brick at least 14' x 12', and then go about 4' - 5' from it out to where I want the 10' x 10' gaxebo to set with at least 2' extra aound 3 sides, and 4' - 5' extra on the fourth side (to sit my grill). Then I am going to build a 6' x 5' x 8" planter, with a 2' x 1' x 16" raised planter in the middle of it, and pave arond it with brick as well.

Any suggestions would be greatly appeciated, thank you.

Judging by the extent of your improvements, shopping for cheap brick prices should be low on your priority list.

Where are you located (climate)?

What kind of soil do you have?

Is there any slope for drainage?

How is your gazebo supported and held down?

Everything you are proposing depends on having a dry and stable base irregardless of the daily weather.

I would imagine you want the planter brick to be compatible with the brick pavers, unless you think you can use the same brick for both. The type of brick paver you select will affect the installation and the base needed for stability.

Kansas - wet, dry, cold, hot, pick one we got it. :D

Not sure about what to tell you on the soil, it's mainly dark top soil.

There is kind of a slight down grade, until about 5' - 6' behind the trailer where it drops down to the playground. I don't think drainage will be a problem.

I think there are bolt holes on the bottom of the corners, but I don't want it permanently anchored. I want to be able to flip it over on it's side against our trailer during bad storms, so the hail doesn't tear up the top.

The ground should be solid enough, we live in a 16' x 80' trailer, and and so does our neighbors on either side (just 2, from front and back is the street, and playground). This is an old trailer park, my parents use to live here when I was 6 (I'm 40 now).

I was thinking those thin concrete brick would work fine, but I wasn't sure what all is out there, what they cost, or exactly what they are called, so I ask for the right thing.

I already have everything except the bricks and wood for the planter. The shed is already put up, and the gazebo shouldn't be too hard to assemble. I also need soil, and plastic, and some more plants, but I'm not in any hury on them yet.

Anyone there, I haven't heard anything for awhile now?

You should use interlocking concrete pavers (largest dimension less than 10"). They should be available locally and come in different shapes and colors.

Setting pavers (or any kind of hard surface) on top soil is not good. You should dig out and put in 6" to 8" of compacted road base (the local name varies with where you are) - It is the same material they put under an asphalt driveway. Make the slope of the compacted base to match your desired drainage pattern.

On top of the graded base, put down a uniform 1" layer of uncompacted concrete sand to serve as a setting bed. Screed it off to a 1" thickness. Set the pavers in place and install edging (plastic, steel, concrete or aluminum) around the pavers, so they are restrained.

Spread clean masons sand or fine concrete sand over the pavers and compact with a plate vibrator (you can rent them) to evenl the surface get the sand to interlock the pavers. Sweep off the excess sand.

I would install the raised garden first and the pavers following that.

For installation instructions, go to the Interlocking Concrete Paver Insitute (ICPI) site - icpi.org

For ideas on concrete retaining wall block and uses, go to sites for Allan Block, Anchor Wall Systems, Keystone or Versalok.