Our yard transformation has begun!

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-18-2010, 09:45 PM

So last week (or the week before that, I lose track), we started renovating the backyard. This weekend was big for us because I got to spend the most time out there, clearing out what we didn't want and trying to figure out what we did want.

I'll post pictures of the backyard as we're going along, but this is our list of goals for now:

1) Remove all lilac bushes and maple trees. (This goal is in progress... we're taking out the maple stump at the moment.)
2) Filling all of the holes properly that had once been home to the bushes/trees.
3) Clearing out the circular planting area that held the Shasta Daisy plants (we're unsure of the fate of said plants at the moment).
4) Relocating the patio stones that are at the base of our stairs and putting larger, newer stones around those. They were offcentre for some stupid reason and we just got around to fixing it now.
5) Repainting the stair rails and stabilizing them further (they are pretty loose at the moment).
6) Removing all of the sidewalk stones and making the sidewalk both straight and level (it's a sloped backyard, so level is making it level from side to side and not top to bottom).

Once all of that is done, we're greatly considering berry bushes along the fence at the bottom of the yard. We're thinking maybe some Saskatoon berries.

I have some pictures in my Facebook profile of what we're doing to the yard (I think) and there are pictures of the "before" aspect of it. I'll make up a little Imageshack album or something and put it here for everyone to see as well. We just want the yard to be pretty easy to maintain and able to be used appropriately.

As far as the side yard and the front yard are concerned, I'll be doing this in steps as well:

Front yard - digging out another 16sq/ft section (to be added onto the front garden - the current space is 2.5 x 14ft... I need 4ft x 14ft all together) and putting in landscaping border, raking the entire front yard and loosening up 1/4in of dirt, then roping off the front yard and spreading grass seed, then adding in some rebar and chicken wire to keep the skunks out of the front left section of the garden.
Side yard - digging out another 16 sq/ft section (also to be added onto the side garden - it'll make that plot 4ft x 11ft) and putting in landscaping border, digging up a 1x1 ft section of the area between the steps and the garden to add in rebar + chicken wire to keep the skunks from digging there as well.

Once that's all done and in two weeks time, I'll be planting my berry bushes in the front and side yard. If I do the grass seed tomorrow, I should have new grass between early and mid-June. Yay!

I think that's about all, but you never know... I could have more to do.

**Libby** · 04-18-2010, 09:50 PM

Hehehe was going to say - remember the before and after pics!

**tripleb** · 04-18-2010, 09:59 PM

You guys are pretty energetic! Good luck and show us the before and after. I need all the inspiration I can get!

**fairydana** · 04-18-2010, 10:08 PM

Sounds great!! Cant wait to see the pics!!

**frugalfranny** · 04-19-2010, 01:42 AM

Wow.........way to go.

Yes........can't wait to see the pics.......before and after I hope!

**wwe11** · 04-19-2010, 08:53 AM

I can't wait for the pics.

**Natalie's Nesters** · 04-20-2010, 01:34 PM

Wow, you guys are good! How about coming to my house when you are done? I'll throw in lunch! I can't wait to see the pictures!

**Russ** · 04-21-2010, 07:43 AM

Dang! Thats a big list. Looking forward to pictures.

**gottadance** · 04-25-2010, 01:25 AM

why are you removing all the maples? Are they nonnative?

**Darlene** · 04-25-2010, 09:35 AM

Wow, that'll keep you out of trouble, impressive list!
I too can't wait to see how your vision becomes reality. Jobs like this are difficult but give you such satisfaction because you really can see what your hard work has earned you.

**MomToTwoBoys** · 04-29-2010, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by gottadance

why are you removing all the maples? Are they nonnative?

We had one and it was a big pain in the butt. It was just in a really bad place. I had the hardest time mowing around it because it was so bushy.

We planned on raised garden beds in the backyard, thus the initial reason for removing the maple and the lilac bushes. Both DH and I got to talking and I realized that I wanted fruit more than anything.

Even with the surprise storm we got yesterday and today, the snow will be melted by tomorrow. We're heading out and purchasing saskatoon bushes for the backyard and planting them at the bottom of the yard. We decided on currants for the front and either Boyne, Kilarney or Polena raspberries for the side yard. We're picking up all of these plants this weekend, along with the mulch and fertilizer and compost/peat moss. The currants will need a 11-51-0 fertilizer (since it's high in phosphorus) and the raspberries need a 12-12-12 type. Saskatoons are best for the backyard since it's a slight slope and they favor that type of area the most.

Saskatoon Berries - growing Saskatoon Berries - how to grow Saskatoon Berries

We're still planning on a raised garden bed, but that'll be down the road when we decide to put a planter box in the middle of the yard. For now, I wanted to get the yard cleared out and under control.

I managed to get the front yard's garden plot dug to size (which took the removal of a 75lb rock that was about 6 inches below the grass line - ugh) and most of the grass/weeds removed before the snowstorm. I also got the side garden's plot dug to size, but I didn't get the time to finish removing all of the weeds/grass before the storm. We'll be picking up the plants on Sunday and keeping them in a cool environment until next week. 5 raspberry bushes will go in the side yard, 2 currant bushes in the front and (depending on the length of the back yard from left fence to sidewalk) an undecided amount of Saskatoon bushes in the back.