Update: Thank you all for the kind words and support on yesterday’s post. You guys are awesome.
We finally have a proper backyard. There’s still grass to plant, but after three phases of digging, transplanting, and weeding (phase one and phase two) our once-Jumanji-like yard is transformed into a cleared space where Burger and Clara can run once the grass takes. We left many of the large trees along the sides and back to keep the space from feeling too open, which is exactly what we wanted.
But the photos say it best:
We leveled the second 15-foot planting bed and removed the encroaching liriope that had overtaken the area we plan to seed and mow. We also hauled in free dirt from the back of the lot to help level the ground for grass. When we seed, we’ll add a layer of topsoil to give the grass seed a better chance to take root.
We also did some tree maintenance by cutting two massive vines that were strangling an old oak. During Hurricane Irene we worried the vines’ weight could pull branches down on the house. You can spot the problematic tree in the before photos — it looked like a dense leafy mass wrapped around the trunk near the corner of the house.
Reciprocating saw + determination = goodbye oak-strangling vine. A landscaping professional we consulted recommended removing vines from trees to protect tree health and reduce the risk of them toppling in storms. The method is simple: cut a section at the base so the vine’s roots can no longer feed it; the vine should then die off and can be removed from the trunk if desired.
With the saw we also tackled old buried roots from trees that had been cut down decades ago — those would have made for a bumpy, uneven lawn if left in place.
And we had a sweet wildlife moment: not a snake this time, but a tiny baby squirrel. He was smaller than my hand, wide-eyed and adorable — one of those little animals that makes you go “aww.”
After another three-hour stretch (during Clara’s nap) we wrapped up phase three of the clearing and reached a ready-to-seed condition. Woot!
Every time I walk from the side patio into the backyard I expect to see the dense overgrowth from the earlier photos, so it still surprises me to step out and see this cleared view instead.
It looks a bit stark at the moment, but once a lush carpet of grass grows in it will feel open without being barren. Our lot is nearly an acre with wooded areas flanking both sides and much of the rear, so this open lawn area will be a great, contained place for Burger and Clara to play while wildlife enjoys the woods.
Here’s a clear example of how a large planting bed can hide your house from view — and how, after a few days of work, it can simply be gone. Poof: house-blocking bush, begone.
Much better. We’re thrilled to finally see more of the old brick paths again — they’re so charming. For nearly two years only a small section was visible, with the rest hidden under liriope. Seeing them uncovered is a small but satisfying win.
So that’s the latest on the backyard. We’ll share photos of the seeding and grass-growing progress as it happens. It’s been rewarding to see how a few focused days of work produced such a big change.
Do you tackle outdoor projects in phases too? Do you arrive with a landscaping plan when you move in and slowly chip away at it over time? We moved in almost two years ago, and it’s wild how fast time flies when yard work keeps getting postponed.