Welcome back, Amanda.
Installation is on track. Here's where your yard stands this week, and what's next.
Pool terrace is taking shape.
Stone is set, the hardscape band is poured, and Mountain Laurel goes in the ground Tuesday.
Tuesday, April 28 · 7:30 AM
"Amanda — the Texas Mountain Laurel came in from Lewisville this morning. These are beautiful 5-gallon specimens and we're going to stage them by the pool wall tomorrow so you can approve placement before we dig. I'll send photos."Reply →
Three things to watch this week
DFW's jumping from 68° to 91° by Friday. Your new installs are most vulnerable right now.
- Water deeply Tue + Fri — new boxwoods need 2" at the root ball
- Mulch check on the perennial bed — heat is coming early
- Mosquito-dunk the fountain basin (standing water + warmth)
Milestone billing
$22,750.00
Refer a neighbor, earn credit.
toward your final invoice — for every friend who books a consult with Mirka.
Project Timeline
Your build — milestone by milestone, with the photos and notes for each.
Discovery + Site Walk
Mirka walked the property, identified the 2021-freeze survivors worth saving (the live oak + two hollies), and noted the drainage fall off the north corner.
Design Concept Approved
Modern Prairie with native drought-tolerant palette. Kidney-curve pool terrace with flagstone band. Gulf Muhly meadow on the west slope.
Permit + HOA Approval
Southlake HOA approved on first submission. Permit issued Mar 9. Colleyville variance on retaining wall handled directly by Mirka — no red tape for Amanda.
Demolition + Rough Grading
Old St. Augustine sod removed. Black-clay regrade for positive drainage off the pool deck. Existing irrigation mapped + capped for reuse.
Hardscape Phase 1 — Retaining Wall
Lueders limestone wall set along the west grade. 42" height, reinforced on the wet side for DFW clay expansion. This is the piece that survives for 40 years.
Hardscape Phase 2 — Pool Terrace
Flagstone band pour is curing. Pool coping is next week. Joint sand + sealer the week after. We'll walk it together before the planting goes in — that's a Mirka rule.
Plant Install
Seven Texas Mountain Laurels, the Gulf Muhly meadow, Autumn Sage border, Cenizo hedge, and the specimen Live Oak from the nursery in Argyle. Drip lines tested on every bed before we close up.
Punch List + Walkthrough
Final walkthrough with Mirka. Every plant gets tagged, every valve gets labeled. You'll get a one-year care calendar and a digital copy of every invoice + warranty.
Pool coping install
Tuesday, April 28 · Crew on site 7:30 AMNo noise after 6 PM per Southlake ordinance. Mirka will walk it with you Wednesday evening.
On target
Carlos, Tomás, Ray
Crew lead: Carlos M. · 14 yrs with ChodakBuild Photos
Every week of your project, documented. Download any image or share with your architect.
Plant Care Hub
Your seasonal calendar, watering schedule, and DFW-specific notes — built for your exact plant palette.
The week DFW decides it's summer.
Tuesday: 68° at dawn. Friday: 91° at 2 PM. This is the single hardest week of the year for new installs. Here's the plan Mirka left for your yard.
Watering schedule
DFW alerts this week
Your plant palette · health check
Messages
Direct line to Mirka and the crew. Responses during design + build — usually within 4 business hours.
Invoices
Milestone-based billing. Nothing is due until the work for that milestone is complete and you've walked it with Mirka.
Payments secured by Stripe. ACH + card accepted. Questions on any line item, just message Mirka — she'll sort it in under a day.
Refer a neighbor
The best yards in Southlake get copied. Share Mirka. Get rewarded.