I Did It Myself

PROJECT: Backyard tropical retreat
TIME: Two weeks COST: $1,200
HOW THEY DID IT: Pam and Dave Conyers love the tropics -- particularly Hawaii. "Pam wanted something a little closer and a lot cheaper where she could have a morning cup of coffee, read the paper and enjoy the sounds of running water and the smells of flowers," Dave Conyers said.

The couple looked at gardens in magazines and compiled what they thought would suit her wishes and the space in their Amelia County backyard. "We decided that a 14-by-14 area with two raised ponds would do nicely," he said.

Conyers began by digging out and leveling the area. He installed two pre-formed ponds. He put down a base of sand and leveled it. "We used pre-formed 'stones' from a home-improvement store," he said. "These stones went in easy and I cut them with a masonry blade where needed. The last step with the stones was to sweep sand over them to lock them in place."

Flat stones were stacked along the edges of the raised ponds and a waterfall kit was installed in the larger pond. A special stone adhesive holds the rocks in place.

The couple added a few goldfish, banana trees, elephant ears, white ginger, cannas, umbrella grass and other tropical touches.

"We have enjoyed sitting in our little tropical retreat and plan to add more plantings each year," Conyers said. "Although not Hawaii, it will do for now." -- Julie Young

TELL US HOW YOU DID IT: Share your home or garden project in 250 words or fewer with Julie Young, Home & Garden, I Did It Myself, P.O. Box 85333, Richmond, VA 23293, or e-mail . Include your name, address, phone number and, if possible, high-resolution photos of yourself and your project. The project must be one you did yourself.