Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Backyard Makeover

 I want to show you our progress with our backyard from when we first bought our house, until now.  We have slaved, and slaved, and slaved over this backyard, but I think it has paid off, especially now that we will be moving to Arizona and need to sell our house.  I would never had predicted we would be moving so soon, when we moved here it was suppose to be forever, but a job usually has top priority and so that is why we are moving.  I really LOVE this area, the house, neighborhood, schools, church, family, and our old and new friends.  This is going to be a hard move for me.  But I love my husband more and I want to be where he is!


This is what our backyard looked like when we first moved in.  The hill was out of control, but I saw potential there.  The apple tree needed pruning, and there were lots of weeds and briers.


We moved into our house in October of 2010, so most of the apples had already fallen off the tree.  But we were told they are very delicious apples.



We began our makeover, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, dig, etc.


We promised the boys we would build a play house for them, so it was one of the first things we did.  It's a nice size, 8ft x 8ft.



More digging!!!


Still digging!


Oh yes, more digging!


My friend, a wonderful gardener helped us prune our apple tree.  Now it has lots of apples growing, which also makes me sad to move because we didn't get any last year.


We start to build the retaining wall we call, "The Great Wall".


And we finally finish the wall, add some new bark and weed block.  Tah Dah!!!


The pathway along the wall has pea gravel.  Now the top half just needs some new plants and bark and it'll be more beautiful.


This was a huge landscape project that we undertook on our own.  We first got a couple bids from landscapers, who both said $8,000, which was mostly for labor.  That's a lot of money, so we did it ourselves and worked hard together as a family and did it.  I think we are all proud of what we accomplished, and we love the outcome.

5 comments:

  1. Wow Christine! Your hill looks amazing! Your family did some incredible work. I'm sure you enjoy looking at it now out your kitchen and family room windows.
    I'm was so sad to hear that you are moving...and not because you've been taxi-ing us. You (and your family) are such a wonderful and sweet woman. I love being around you. I'm going to miss you. Shawn

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a great transformation, it's just sad that you won't get to enjoy it. I too am sad to hear you will be moving to Arizona but I am sure there will be lots of great things about it too. Keep us updated through your blog that way it won't be too painful for us to see you go.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, one thing about Arizona — at least in most of the Phoenix area — is flat, flat ground. Hopefully, you won't have to spend so much time digging once you get here. Good luck with the sale and the move. xo—Heather

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow, what an amazing transformation! This beautiful outdoor area of yours will surely look more stunning if you put modern and stylish garden furniture.

    ReplyDelete