San Diego Backyard Refresh: Turf, Seat Wall and Paver Ribbons
This finished project was a $42.5k-$47.5k build.
Project Gallery
Artificial turf curving along a Desert Gold decomposed granite border with low-voltage path lights and new low-water planting
Turf lawn edged with decomposed granite, path lights and new planting along the back fence
Existing concrete patio with a new 4x8 Holland paver ribbon where an old brick band was, meeting the turf and decomposed granite path
Capped Bastione seat wall turning the corner of the yard, with planting above, turf below and a decomposed granite path
Side yard planter: a long Bastione wall with caps, new planting and mulch, path lights and a decomposed granite walkway
Build stage: the concrete footing for the Bastione wall poured to a string line and checked with a tape
Build stage: turf excavation depth checked with a tape and level before base went in
Build stage: crew spreading compacted base for the turf after the wall went up, with the drain line trench open along the fence
Project Snapshot
Project Story
Overview
About 950 square feet of Imperial Desert Rye turf, a Bastione seat and retaining wall on a new footing, and 4x8 Holland paver ribbons set into the existing concrete patio where old brick bands used to be turned a dead backyard in San Diego's 92129 into a finished one. Desert Gold decomposed granite, new planting on drip, 146 feet of drain line and 14 low-voltage lights went in between August 4 and September 1, 2026.
The Challenge
- The backyard landscaping was outdated and mostly dead, so the yard read as neglected from the house.
- There was no defined edge or place to sit between the concrete patio and the planting areas.
- Water and roots both needed managing: new drain lines and a root barrier had to go in before turf, wall and planting.
What Changed
How INSTALL-IT-DIRECT Helped
Over 1,000 five-star reviews and 1,500+ San Diego homeowners served.
Before & After
Before: dead lawn and bare dirt slope along the back fence, with the old brick band in the concrete patio
After: the same corner with turf, a decomposed granite border, path lights and new planting
Design & Build
The Plan
Keep the existing concrete patio and replace its old brick bands with 4×8 Holland paver ribbons so it matches the new work.
Lay about 950 square feet of Imperial Desert Rye 65 turf as the main open area.
Build a Bastione 12 inch seat and retaining wall with caps on a new concrete footing to give the yard a defined edge and extra seating.
Finish paths and side areas in Desert Gold decomposed granite with a Belgard Melville curb border.
Run 146 feet of 3 inch SDR35 drain line and perforated pipe, and add a root barrier, before any finish surface goes down.
Plant agave, a pygmy date palm and other low-water plants on drip, and light the yard with 14 low-voltage fixtures.
The Build
Clearing and demo
Dead plants, roots, shrubs and the top two inches of soil came out across about 500 square feet, and the debris was hauled off before layout.
Drainage and root barrier
The crew trenched and set 146 feet of 3 inch SDR35 drain line plus perforated pipe, and installed about 45 feet of 18 inch deep root barrier along the planting edge.
Wall and footing
A concrete footing was poured for the Bastione 12 inch wall, which was then stacked and capped at seat height.
Paver ribbons and border
About 70 feet of old brick came out of the existing concrete patio, 38 feet of 4x8 Holland paver ribbons went in, and a Belgard Melville curb border was set along the decomposed granite.
Turf, planting and lighting
About 950 square feet of turf went down over a compacted base with antimicrobial infill, followed by planting on drip irrigation, mulch, and 14 low-voltage fixtures on a 150 watt transformer.
Investment
What would a similar project cost in San Diego?
Toggle components on/off to estimate your project
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a backyard turf and seat wall project cost in San Diego 92129?
This backyard came in at about $42,500 to $47,500 for roughly 950 square feet of turf, a Bastione seat wall on a new footing, paver ribbons in the existing patio, decomposed granite, drainage, planting and 14 lights. A similar yard moves with turf area, wall length, drainage needs and plant choices.
Can you add pavers to an existing concrete patio without removing it?
Yes, when the slab is sound. On this project the crew removed the old brick bands from the existing concrete and set 4x8 Holland paver ribbons in their place, so the old patio matches the new turf, wall and border and the slab did not have to be demolished.
Why install a root barrier before turf and planting?
Roots from nearby trees can lift edging, wall footings and turf seams over time. About 45 feet of 18 inch deep root barrier went in along the planting edge here before any finish work.
How long did this backyard take to build?
The crew was on site from August 4 to September 1, 2026, about four weeks including planting and final details, and the project closed out September 17.
Your Outdoor Project in 3 Simple Steps
Design
We listen to your vision, assess your space, and create a custom design that fits your lifestyle and budget.
Build
Our experienced crews bring the design to life with premium materials and expert craftsmanship.
Enjoy
Step into your transformed outdoor space and start making memories with family and friends.
Your Project Manager
Chris MacMillan
A San Diego native, Chris grew up in his family's North County landscaping business and went on to launch his own custom outdoor-living company. He combines a finance background with hands-on construction expertise to help homeowners get the most out of San Diego's year-round outdoor living.
More Projects
More from Chris MacMillan
Overgrown Escondido Yard Reset with Turf, Beach Pebble and New Planting
Escondido
San Carlos Front Yard with Pavers, Turf and a White Picket Fence
San Diego
Paver Patio, Fire Pit & Outdoor Kitchen in Bonita
Bonita
A Whole-Yard Santee Transformation: Paver Driveway, Fire Pit & Turf
Santee
Pool Deck Pavers and Fire Pit, Carmel Valley, San Diego
San Diego
A Paver-and-Turf Backyard Rebuild in Mira Mesa
San Diego
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Let's discuss your project and bring your vision to life.