Transforming Potential into Paradise: A Plymouth Backyard Reimagined
A homeowner in Plymouth, MA, approached Elmwood Landscapes with a vision to revitalize their worn-out backyard and create a space that blended beauty, function, and relaxation. The yard lacked cohesion, but it offered a blank canvas full of possibilities. Elmwood Landscapes saw the potential to craft something special, combining areas for leisure, movement, and nature. With that vision in mind, they designed and transformed the space with a custom poolscape, an elegant walkway, and a modern irrigation system. The end result is a serene outdoor retreat, where every detail comes together seamlessly with style and purpose.
Poolscape (Beginning of 2023)
1,300 SF Backyard Patio & Pool Coping
Elmwood Landscapes installed a 1,300 SF Unilock patio using Beacon Hill Smooth Enduracolor pavers in Steel Mountain, enhanced with EasyClean technology. The design was highlighted by a double inlay of Unilock Artline pavers in Umbriano Winter Marvel and a single soldier border of Unilock Copthorne in Basalt.
Materials Used:
Unilock Beacon Hill Smooth (Steel Mountain)
Pre-sealed with Unilock EasyClean technology
Accent: Artline (Winter Marvel)
Border: Copthorne (Basalt)
Coping: Unilock Fullnose (around pool)
Pool Coping Installation:
Elmwood Landscapes excavated and installed a 1′ x 1′ deep concrete collar around the pool to prevent settling. The coping was set using Ardex mortar to ensure a long-lasting, secure bond.
Additional Work:
Repaired the existing lawn from the back gate to the pool
Addressed and repaired two irrigation zones affected during construction near the pool and access road
Front Walkway (Beginning of 2023)
Elmwood Landscapes installed a front walkway approximately 8′ wide and 25′ long, flaring to 12′ at the driveway. The path was constructed using Unilock Treo Enduracolor pavers with a single sailor border of Treo 4×8 for a clean, finished edge.
Materials Used:
Unilock Treo Enduracolor
Treo 4×8 (Sailor border)
Additional Work:
Excavated materials were stockpiled and relocated to the new pool area for use as fill
Elmwood Landscapes cleared and mulched planting beds on either side of the front deck in preparation for future landscaping
Loam/Seed & Plantings (Late Spring of 2023)
Elmwood Landscapes supplied and installed 4–6″ of screened loam over existing poor subsoils, carefully blending it into the current topsoil. The area was finish-raked, dry-seeded, and treated with starter fertilizer.
Sod Installation:
Installed SOD Co. Black Beauty sod
Sod extended from the right side of the pool to the main lawn, covering all construction-affected areas
Irrigation heads and the system clock were adjusted for optimal coverage
Watering instructions were provided to the client (also available on SOD Co.’s website)
Planting & Soil Preparation:
Elmwood Landscapes implemented a complete new planting design
Applied 20 yards of screened loam to planting beds
Blown-in installation of 20 yards of double-ground brown mulch
All plants were installed with plant-based compost to enrich native soils
Plants were double-watered prior to final bed raking; ongoing care was turned over to the client
Installation included five ornamental grasses
2–3″ of brown mulch was applied around each planting area
Irrigation System (Late Spring of 2023)
Elmwood Landscapes designed and installed a complete irrigation system with head-to-head coverage and matched precipitation, based on a minimum of 10 GPM @ 55 PSI.
System Components:
Durable, user-friendly parts from Hunter Industries, K-Rain, Irritrol, and Rainbird
All materials were supplied and installed from the backflow connection onward
The Hunter indoor clock and wireless rain sensor were installed in a powered, weather-protected area such as a garage, shed, or pool house
Important Details:
All interior plumbing and connection to the backflow were completed by a licensed plumber (outside the scope of Elmwood Landscapes)
After installation, Elmwood Landscapes tested and adjusted the system and programmed the controller for optimal watering of lawn and garden areas
