The number of questions we received about this Instagram post made it clear we needed to share a proper backyard update. Since our last detailed write-up, we’ve made major changes: we removed the old deck, hired professional landscapers, laid a temporary pea gravel patio, and added string lights. We also explain why two DIY homeowners decided to outsource planting and how that warranty made a big difference.
Update 1: Removing the Deck
Your last memory of our backyard might include a large deck stretching across the back of the house.
We slowly fell out of love with that deck. After stripping and staining it early on, the wood continued to deteriorate: nails popped, boards warped, and sections began to curl. With our kids older, the fenced deck stopped feeling like a helpful play area and instead blocked the view and access to the grassy yard. Last fall we hired a local handyman to remove it.
Deck removal created a chain of follow-up tasks: our HVAC unit had to be relocated closer to the house, an electrician tidied exposed wires, and our tree service ground the large stump that had been hidden under the structure. We also power-washed the brick to remove green algae left behind from the rotting deck.
By late October we had a clean, blank slate to work with — the yard looked fresh and ready for the next phase.
Update 2: Professional Landscaping and Plant Warranty
After several disappointing attempts at growing screening plants ourselves, we decided to hire pros. A local nursery offered a free landscape plan with plant purchase and a full two-year warranty when they installed the plants. That warranty was the tipping point: if anything dies within the period, they come out and replace it at no charge. For us, it provided the peace of mind we needed to invest in trees and shrubs.
Shortly after we moved in, this backyard was mostly grass we seeded ourselves. Over time we added perimeter plantings to screen the yard and add color.
Last November the crew planted a mix of privacy and ornamental species: hollies and ligustrum for screening, plus a weeping cherry, a ginkgo, and two Japanese maples for seasonal interest. The professionals completed most of the labor in about a day and a half — work that would have taken us much longer.
The warranty already paid off: seven plants were replaced after a severe winter that proved harder on some specimens than expected. Each replacement restarts the two-year warranty, so those new plants are protected through their early, most vulnerable years. The nursery has also helped us troubleshoot pest and deer issues by email, which saved time and money and prevented more planting mistakes.
The landscape still needs several growing seasons to reach fullness and provide the privacy we want, and winter leaf drop makes things feel sparse at times. But most plants that were replanted are thriving in their second try, and barring another extreme winter we’re optimistic.
Update 3: The Pea Gravel Patio — A Practical Temporary Solution
The small pea gravel patio in our yard got a lot of attention on social media. We only installed it as a temporary surface while we let the ground settle after stump removal, but it turned out to be a surprisingly practical choice.
Our long-term plan is a hardscaped patio using pavers or bluestone to match the darker tile in our sunroom. But building a permanent patio too soon risks uneven settling where roots decay. With the deck gone and the ground bare, we didn’t want a mud pit for a year or more, so we asked the landscapers to spread a course of pea gravel as an interim surface. The entire area cost under $100 to fill, and the gravel can become a base for future pavers.
Before spreading the gravel the crew dug a shallow trench about two inches deep along the grass edges to help contain the stones, which limits migration onto the lawn. We didn’t install a weed barrier underneath, and weeds have been minimal — any that pop up are easy to pull out from the rock.
There are a couple small trade-offs: moving patio chairs can feel draggy in loose gravel, and a thinner or more compacted layer might help. Still, the pea gravel blends nicely with an adjacent aggregate path and looks cohesive for now. We’ll eventually replace both with a matching stone patio and path.
Would we keep pea gravel permanently? Not in our case — we want a hardscape — but it’s an excellent, budget-friendly option for low-movement furniture or casual seating areas like fire pits or picnic tables.
Update 4: Hanging Garden Lights
Even before the patio is complete, Sherry wanted string lights. The yard’s layout has limited anchor points, but we found that a single 48-foot strand arranged just right provides the soft, ambient lighting we were after.
We tested different configurations and discovered two strands converging to one central anchor looked the most balanced. We hung the lights using white cup hooks screwed into the wood siding and looped the cords over them. The hooks aren’t rated specifically for outdoor use, so we’ll monitor how they weather, but the white finish blends with the siding and keeps the hardware unobtrusive.
For now the lights plug into an extension cord that runs down to an outlet in the sunroom. We plan to tidy the plug and install a smarter, neater power solution later, possibly with a smart switch so the lights can stay plugged in but be scheduled or controlled remotely.
That covers the main backyard changes. For the rest of the summer we’re focusing on the beach house yard, while keeping these plants healthy and protected here. We’ll share more updates as both yards evolve.
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