Yard Makeover in Progress

Here are some before and after photos of the yard projects we've been working on.

First is the side yard..., this was a project that REALLY needed to be done as you'll see in the before photos. The side yard had pretty much become the dumping ground for lawn clippings and other debris from the front yard and was full of weeds etc. We also had a really terrible fence between us and the neighbors that was about to fall over in some places.

BEFORE:



Notice the mostly obscured window well on the bottom right corner of the photo above - that is the same window well in the bottom right corner of the photo below. We had to search for the "right" kind of hydrangea and the nursery where we finally found them only had 6 of the 10 we need. You'll notice some upside down pots saving the spots for the remaining 4 that are on order. It is a "Pee Wee" Oakleaf Hydrangea - a relatively new variety. The other plants include 3 Fargesia "Giant Panda" clumping bamboo plants that will get 6 - 8 feet tall, "Irish Silk" Lady's Mantle, and "Birch Hybrid" Bellflower. We also planted some wave petunias to fill in the gaps until the perennials are more mature.

AFTER:



BEFORE - view of the side yard from the front of the house:



And AFTER:



Here is a view "in progress" before the fence and path were in:



We have a retaining wall above what used to be a patio and sidewalk area. We have removed the patio and sidewalk in preparation for installing a ground level deck at the back of the house. We used some of the concrete to build a two tiered raised bed above the retaining wall. Eventually there will be a dining area behind these new flower beds.

BEFORE:



IN PROGRESS:



AFTER:



And just for fun, here are a few photos of the flowers in our front yard in full bloom. I just love this time of year!









And this is one of our dogwood trees:



Here is the front gate with all of the stain completed:



And to top off a 10 hour day in the yard, Darin washed my car for me. I came around the corner and caught him in the act!!



Here is our "baby" Watson - he was pretty good all day and even managed to stay out of the newly planted flower beds!



And lest you think we won't have anything to do for a while....here is the "before" of the next project. Darin jackhammered out our old patio and cut out the sidewalk in sections (those sections can be seen in their new home in the side yard path in photos above). We will be installing a ground level deck in this area - that project starts next weekend.





Also on the list for this summer is to finally get rid of the unsightly blue trim!! We will be painting the house a really nice "cactus" green with a creamy white trim. A preview of the new color scheme can be seen here in this previous post.