I can put whatever grass back there is appropriate. Not married to Bermuda but the majority of yards do around here. Previously it was a 6 foot fence with a tree. Now it is an 8 foot fence and no tree. The direction the Sun travels from the picture is back to front. The shade from our house is there from morning till noon and is unchanged from the project. The shade from those houses behind us is cast before the fence. Neither of these things prevented the Bermuda from growing before. Around the tree canopy shade area yes. Was starting to see some effects but now it's gone. :) The goal of the project was to raise the area and remove the tree. Basically we are doubling the size of our backyard in terms of usable (for kids) space. Other goal is to not create a drainage problem. Before it was excellent drainage but obviously by raising it, we must be mindful not to create a problem. For instance, I have put in drain pipe for all of the gutter feeds to that area and daylighted that directly out the wall. Before it was on the plane of the yard. Not ideal green thinking wise but it's done. Now that area only takes on water from the plane of the yard surface itself. I do have a drainage question related to grading which I'll post on the landscape forum. Is there another grass that I should be using back there? It's not out of the question for me to have something completely different since the entire area save for about 5 feet, is surrounded by hardscapes (driveway, wall, patio, house). I'm open to any suggestion.

Hot water drains have the same threads as a garden hose. Go to a hardware store and buy a brass hose cap. Put it on the drain fitting. I always install these because the shut off on water heaters is not completely fool proof.

Lovely colours Carol,and different, next on my list.

Very cool, if a bit perplexing. Hard to fathom, for just one example, how the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan's Upper Peninsula could be in any but the highest category. That's a completely wild and unsettled region! And no, I'm not guessing-I've been there many times. All forested, all big white pines, hemlocks, and their many hardwood associates, to simplify. My point being, there's hardly any civilization there beyond a few very small towns, and the rest is heavy, native forest. Not to nitpick, but I can see other just as unexpected results all over that thing. All in all though, very cool. Just wish I could make out more of the print on the other ones. +oM