Backyard Un-Beauty

One day, I hope to have a post titled Backyard Beauty. One day....

That day is not going to come unless I put quite a bit of sweat equity into the backyard I have now. I have a big backyard. It is a great size and of course, Luna loves it. However, it is far from being a relaxing hang out. There are few things that needs to be taken out like the rusted clothes hanger. Every time I mow, I am terrified that I am going to hit my head.

The previous owners of my house were an elderly couple, who I believe kept their yard up while they were physically able. I know they even had a garden for a while. Unfortunately, the remnants of the garden are still visible. I even found some rhubarb growing along the fence this year.

Last spring during my first backyard clean up, I found several barren spots where leaves had sat all winter in addition to the huge barren area on the right side. Late last fall, I discovered why the grass may have stopped growing. Because of the trees in my yard, as well as my neighbors' yards, a thick carpet of fallen leaves covers the ground.

This pile of leaves is all from my backyard. Thankfully, they were out by the curb in time for the city to pick them up.

This year, I am seeing a little bit of growth where there had previously been nothing. I am going to put grass seed down in the fall and probably again next spring. In the meantime, there is plenty of work to do as my yard moves forward to become a backyard beauty.

Front Yard Face Lift

Yesterday, the front of my house got a little bit nicer looking. It isn't the best looking, but it made a big step closer.

Family friends were willing to take some giant hostas that were growing in my pitiful looking landscape. While they were digging those out, they also cut down some trees that I wanted gone! It is amazing how much better everything looks.

One of the trees that came down was the tree that was overtaking my lamp post. Every house on my cul-de-sac has a lamp post, but mine was invisible, hidden amongst a tree.

Down it went. Two other trees came down. One was right in front the living room window and the other was next to the front door. I couldn't find a good picture of the other trees.

A naked lamp post! It needs a little bit of love, but it is visible. Maybe next year, I will add some flowers around it.

Please ignore all the weeds that are growing obnoxiously. They will be gone soon too. The hydrangea bushes are staying, but I would like to start everything to be fresh and new.

I have to keep reminding myself that it is one step at a time. I may want it all done right now, but that isn't going to happen.

Yard Lovin'

I have a confession to make. For a few weeks, I was one of THOSE neighbors. You know the ones. Overgrown yards. Leaves and sticks everywhere. That was me.

There was a kid from my church who mowed the front yard a couple times, but I didn't have him do the backyard because it needed a little attention before it could be mowed. I also wanted to get my own lawnmower, so I could be the one solely responsible for my yard.

So, Friday night my mom and I were on the hunt for a lawnmower. I couldn't have been shopping for something I know any less about. I wanted the mower to cut the grass not do any special tricks. Thankfully, I found one that would work. It is a Toro and red. That is the extent of my knowledge about it.

Saturday morning my mom and I started working on the yard. The amount of sticks and branches was unreal. Because the grass was so high, some of these huge branches could be easily missed. I now have a pile of sticks on my patio.

I mowed next. My lawnmower's maiden voyage. She was mess afterward, but the yard was already looking so much better. I could actually see Luna when she was walking around.

Next came the random leaf piles. It was seemed that the previous owners piled leaves in the fall to move to the front  yard, but they never were moved. So after a winter that was full of snow and cold, most of the piles were thankfully dry. However, there were a few spots that were wet.

Amazingly enough, it really didn't take that long. And dare I say that I might have enjoyed spending time doing work in the yard. I really had a sense of satisfaction after my yard was presentable again.