Update: Thanks so much for all the kind words and general awesomeness on yesterday’s post. You guys rock my socks.
Ladies and gentlemen, we finally have a backyard. It still needs grass, but after three phases of digging, transplanting and weeding (see phase one and phase two), our once Jumanji-esque yard is now a nice cleared area for Burger and Clara to run around in—once the grass takes hold. The lot still has plenty of large trees along the sides and back, which helps the yard feel private without being too stark.
But the pictures tell most of the story:
We leveled the second 15′ planting bed and dug up most of the aggressive liriope that had crept into the area we plan to seed and mow. We also redistributed some free dirt from the back of the lot to help level the space. We’ll add a layer of topsoil when we seed to improve germination and give the grass a strong start.
We performed some tree maintenance too, cutting two huge vines that were essentially smothering an old oak. Those vines were so thick that during Hurricane Irene we worried their weight could pull the tree toward the house. If you look back at the earlier photos, you can see the leafy mass that was hugging the tree next to the corner of the house.
Reciprocating saw + John = buh-bye oak-strangling vine. A certified landscaping professional we consulted recommended removing vines from tree trunks so trees stay healthy and are less likely to suffer wind or storm damage. The method we used was to cut a section at the base so the vine can’t keep sending nutrients up to the canopy; it should then gradually die and can be removed later if the dead foliage is unsightly.
While the reciprocating saw was out, we also cut away some old roots from trees that were removed decades ago. Those root stubs would have made for a lumpy, uneven lawn if left in place, so removing them will help the new grass sit level and look tidy.
Not every encounter with nature was intimidating—this time we met a baby squirrel. He was tiny, wide-eyed and impossibly cute, the kind of little animal that makes you coo and reach for your camera. He was smaller than my hand and very bushy-tailed.
After another three-hour stretch of work (coinciding nicely with Clara’s nap), we completed the third and final phase of bushwhacking and reached ready-to-seed status. It’s exciting to stand on the patio and turn the corner into a cleared, open backyard instead of a mass of plants and vines.
Every time I walk into the backyard from the side patio I expect to see the old overgrown scene, so the cleared view still surprises me. The space looks a bit stark at the moment, but once we get a lush carpet of grass it will feel open and welcoming without losing the wooded privacy provided by the surrounding trees.
One surprising delight was uncovering the old brick paths that had been almost completely hidden by the liriope. Seeing those charming bricks again was a small but satisfying reward after the effort; for nearly two years only a tiny section peeked through the foliage.
And here’s a closer look at the restored bricks—so much better. Clearing that massive planting bed completely changed the view from the back of the house.
So that’s the latest on our backyard transformation. We’ll share photos of the seeding and grass growth as we go, but it’s gratifying to see how a few determined days of work can produce major changes. For anyone tackling a similar project: breaking work into phases, taking advantage of short windows like naps or daylight, and bringing in free resources such as soil from elsewhere on the property can make a big project feel manageable.
Do you prefer to tackle outdoor projects in stages, or do you try to get everything done at once? We spent years dreaming about this yard and finally have the momentum to make it happen—nearly two years after moving in. It’s amazing how fast time passes when yard work keeps getting postponed, but the payoff is worth it.