Zen Fire Garden
We finally got the weather to cooperate enough for us to install the Fire Garden we finished a few weeks back for a family in the bay area. The back yard turned out great and has more plumbing and electrical wiring than my whole house! With 3 radiant heaters and my fire garden even on the coldest days there is a warm spot in this back yard. The Corten steel we made the box out of should patina nicely over time.
I left a one inch gap around the box to keep the cement from getting too hot and spalding. The textured steel gave the box a hand made look to contrast the square straight lines of the design.
It looked great with the rest on the landscaping and concrete done by Lutsko Associates landscape
Custom Fire Garden
I just finished this great back yard fire garden for a family in the bay area. The box is made of corten weathering steel and the rail is made of Stainless. The whole box will sit down in a stained concert box built into teariest hillside behind their home. I’ll post more pictures once it’s installed.
The lava Rock came from one of my desert trips last year in the Mohave desert where I proposed to my wife.
Build your own Fire Garden Kits Now available
So many people that have hung out with the warmth and played in the sand of my wonderful Fire Gardens have asked me how they could make one of their own. Well I’ve taken the guess work out of all the fittings and sizes and put together a few kits that I use all the time in my work.
Available Kits:
FR12SLP 12″ steel fire ring with low pressure regulator
This is a great set up for 14-22″ sand gardens.
$95.00 plus tax and shipping
Examples of my Fire Gardens Made with this setup
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FR12SHP 12″ steel fire ring with a 0-60 psi regulator and a venturi mixer
This is a great setup for 14-22″ sand gardens, rocks, high temp glass, or other porous materials etc that need a venturi (gas air mixer) to achieve a clean soot free burn.
12″ steel fire ring, weldable 1/2 coupler, 3/8″ 45 deg to 1/2 NPT fitting (to connect to the gas hose), 2pc 1/2 x 2″ brass nipples, gas orifice (.0250), Teflon tape, and a high pressure 0-60 psi regulator.$150.00 plus tax and shipping
Examples of Fire Gardens and Patio Heaters (Replaced the fire ring with unique burners) made with this setup
12″ stainless steel fire ring $60 (Stainless will last longer and the small gas hole won’t rust shut if you leave in the rain)
18″ stainless steel fire ring $90
FR18SSLP $185In addition to these kits you will need a container that is able to handle high temperatures and be fully sealed underneath (leaks or drain holes will also allow gas out). A 55 gal drum works good. The weldable coupler provided will need to be welded though the bottom, legs added, then simply attach the fittings, ring, hose, propane BBQ tank and add sand. Sand should be 3-4″ above the ring. This is a match light system and I like those plumbing torches to light mine. Light the torch, then turn on the gas with the flame above the sand. It will take several seconds for the sand to fill with gas and rise to the top. Once lit it’s time to play in the sand with simple tools. This works best after dark when you can turn the flame down very low tell you only see a blue flame.
Fire is hot! DO NOT TOUCH the sand. It’s sticks and will burn before you can get it off. I would add a safety rail to keep young ones from falling on the hot edge and in the sand. It’s also a great place to keep your tools and rest your feet. 30″ is a great height to stand next to, and 14-18″ is great to sit around. Provide a minimum of 6″ below the coupler on the bottom for the fittings and hose. Keep your sand dry by covering in the rain.
Contact me at 510 444 7007, or email me at books@formandreform.com
Tomato Trellis and Family
Zolie amazing Karydis with her Tomato crop
When I was Zolie’s age now my dad put in his first garden at our house in Boise Idaho. Tomatoes have always been grown in our Basque family and we have taken pride in them for generations. I remember us taking first place in the Idaho State fair in the mid 70’s for the biggest tomato! We were just shy of a world record! I recall it taking several jars for mom to can and it was as big as my sisters and I head. Over the years my dad worked out a system of supports for the huge plants we would grow that I still use today in the garden with Zolie. Well now he has improved it and he sent me his updated system and photos of the results (see link below)!
