He says that the most difficult aspects of the projects are the lifting and extensive digging involved but notes that the project is not otherwise especially daunting. On a difficulty scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, he rates this project a 2. To get started, the crew clears the area for the retreat, removing all plants, and marks the outline of the sunken area with landscaper's marking paint. Next, McMurray and the crew determine the location of the steps and bench. Once this is decided, the crew marks off the open, sunken area with stakes and string lines to distinguish it from the space that will be used for the steps and bench .
Workers dig out the entire sunken area to a depth of about two feet.
To add height to the garden walls, McMurray and the crew pile the dug-out dirt around the sides. The gravel will provide a place for rainwater to drain so it won't accumulate on the surface of the dug-out area. Once the gravel is put down, the crew uses a rake to smooth the layer and create an even bed. He has selected Connecticut blue-stone pavers for the steps of the retreat, and although the stone isn't native to Northern California, McMurray says its good color and smooth finish make it a good choice for the surface of the steps. To lay the stones, the crew first makes sure the surface of the steps is perfectly smooth and level.