Let’s do the path (I’m not good at math, but digging up a path, I can do). And John’s good at both. Overachiever, much? Anyway, this is just a photo from before we started working on the garden beds on either side of the porch (more on that here and here) so you can see how that clump of bushes in front of the porch was kind of weird and reversed. Don’t you think plants on either side of the porch would look nice and balanced while the path to the door and the porch should be more open and airy instead of crowded by overgrown boxwoods? It was like things were backwards. Business in the middle instead of business on the sides. It was a bush mohawk.
And when a certified landscape expert (more on that here) confirmed that those boxwoods were on their last legs anyway due to some bare spots and diseased tops, we were even more sure we had to open things up so the path to the door felt less crowded (don’t worry, we still tried to transplant as many as we could to see if they’ll make it in a less in-yo-face location).
See what we mean? On moving day we dragged things down this path approximately 5,000 times with the bushes reaching out and grabbing us the whole time.
They just don’t have any understanding of personal space. We actually learned from our little landscaping consultation that pathways are ideally four feet wide so two people can walk next to each other or carry large items without getting bush-groped. So the least we can do is make this path feel as wide as possible by opening things up.
Operation Clear The Path began with us digging out the azaleas that were completely crowding the porch (their base was literally just inches from the brick side of the porch). That garden bed is tiny, and no place for large bushes like that. They weren’t too bad to dig up since the ground was wet from rain the day before – and we transplanted them on the side yard that we’re trying to naturalize so it’ll have some pretty pops of color down there and they won’t be nearly as cramped.
Next it was time to dig up those boxwoods along the other side of the path. They were a bit more challenging to get up, but again thanks to moist soil from previous rain, it wasn’t too bad. It probably took about fifteen to twenty minutes per bush and there were eight of them, so this was an almost three hour process done over two Clara naps. A few of the bushes were too far gone so we just cut them out with the reciprocating saw and then dug up their roots since that was easier if there was no saving them.
But the ones that looked like they might stand a fighting chance of survival also got transplanted in the side lot near the azaleas.
Then it was time to do something we’ll probably be doing until the end of time at this house. Digging up more of that ubiquitous liriope that abounds. This stuff was actually growing up and over the pavers – making the path look a foot narrower thanks to at least six inches of encroachment on each side. See the root system of the one below actually covering half of that paver?
We knew digging them out would widen the path again (no more bushes or grasses trying to tickle people’s legs as they walked by), but we really weren’t expecting just how much of a difference clearing out this small bed that once housed giant azaleas and endless monkey grass would make. The porch could finally breath again!
We went ahead and mulched it all the way down, just to keep weeds from springing up all willy-nilly, but we do plan to plant some small pretty flowering perennials or annuals eventually. Just holding out to find some we really like that will do well in such a narrow spot (we’re sure there are a ton of options, so we’ll just see what we like and resist the urge to try to settle too quickly on something “meh”).
And we can’t even explain how much of a difference it made to clear out those big clumpey and crowded boxwoods that were on the other side of the path. Are you ready for the biggest landscaping difference we’ve seen this spring? Check out the path before we cleared it out…
… and after:
Doesn’t the path itself look about twice as wide and a lot more open? Don’t your eyes travel to pretty things, like the woods beyond the path, and the open and much more welcoming porch? We have plans to seed the entire left side of the path so that grass just comes right up to it (nothing big will pen you in, so the path will look nice and wide and welcoming). We have a ton of other areas to garden around the perimeter of the house, so we’ll appreciate just having to mow that strip of land instead of needing to plant/mulch/prune/weed another bed. So picture that big patch of brown as green as the grass beyond it. Can you see it?
And here’s the difference from the other side. Before:
And after:
And now for some shots from a bit further away for ya. First here’s how this angle looked back when we moved into our house (what house?):
And here are how things are looking these days:
Of course we still have about 679 other things on our exterior to-do list (see more of that here) but we’re inching towards something that looks a whole lot better than what we started with.
Ah landscaping, you take a while and make our arms and back ache, but you’re worth it.
As for how long clearing the path took in total, the entire project – including the time it took to transplant things in other areas – was around 8 hours. We started it about a week ago, which is why we couldn’t show wide shots of the garden beds on each side of the porch (since that path was torn up/in progress – and we wanted to get ‘er done before taking pics from further away). That last shot from the street deflates us further emphasizes how much more we still have to tackle, but it’s definitely nice to look at the before pic to remember how far we’ve come in the time that we’ve been here. Slowly, but surely.
What are you guys doing when it comes to the path to your front door? Is it open and clear, packed with flowering plants? Full of overgrown bushes you’re planning to relocate as well? Tell $herdog all about it.
kaylan says
such a HUGE improvement. looks fantastic!
Anne says
Wow, you guys’ hard work sure pays off! Looking good!!
Did you choose mulch just based on color? Can you speak to your mulch choice? I never know what to pick.
Also, would you ever consider a friendly label of the plants you are talking about on your pics? More work, I know….I just have to Google plants to figure out what you are talking about. I am plant inept. Maybe someone else is like me. Just a thought!!! :)
YoungHouseLove says
We just grabbed the darkest kind they had at Home Depot (it was on sale for three for $8 or something). Hope it helps! As for adding labels to pics, it just looks kind of busy since the background is all different colors (bushes, mulch, brick, etc) so it’s hard to read, but we try to mention the types of plans we’re using so folks can look them up or check them out at their local nursery if they’d like!
xo,
s
Amelia Davis says
LOVE the difference. Geez, how I love seeing these pictures and how they inspire me and my husband to tackle the yard! Just wanted to add that even though I’m definitely not a professional – I was thinking what you could put on the right side of the path (annuals/perennials, etc.) and even though daffodils would look really pretty with the yellow door (so happy!), from my experience, we have some daffodils and although I love them, they might end up crowding the path like the liriope (those suckers can get big!). Just throwing in my random two cents!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Amelia!
xo,
s
Caity says
What a huge difference! Looks great.
This weekend, my hubby tore out ugly, ground covering, evergreen-type bushes by our driveway that the previous owners had planted. Unbelieveable the difference it made already! This week, we’re on the hunt for pretty, small bushes and flowers to up our curb appeal! :) You guys have been inspiring me to get this project finished!
KellyA says
I have a mix of perennials, annuals and mint growing in my front yard and love it! the mint is especially hard to kill and while it spreads out it doesn’t overflow the space. Smells wonderful and makes for great homemade mojitos.
Kristin says
Your efforts really inspired me and so this weekend my husband and I went to a local nursery with our survey and photos of the front of the house and 30 minutes later came out MUCH poorer but with a great plan for the front yard! Then yesterday was spent digging out/transplating the stuff that was already there. All our new plants are being delivered Friday so keep your fingers crossed for us for good weather this weekend! I can’t wait to see the transformation.
YoungHouseLove says
So exciting! Good luck with everything Kristin!
xo,
s
Annie says
The front looks SO much better!
Not sure if this was mentioned already, but maybe put pots in the narrow space in front of the porch. Then you could change up the flowers/plants as the seasons change. In the future it would be an easy way to make a change without costing a lot of money.
YoungHouseLove says
Always another fun possibility! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!
xo,
s
Olivia- I am still learning says
my yard is scary… we have 3 acres and I have no idea where to start. This gives me a bit of a push :)
goldensarah says
“bush-groped” – i like it! :) looks great, guys!
Ellen says
The house looks so friendly and welcoming! You could quit the landscaping projects now and it’d be considered 100x better than when you moved in.
Nikki says
This is a completely random question but do you guys know how many total comments have been made on your blog? I bet it’s a ton!!! Keep up the great work :) Love all the progress!!!
YoungHouseLove says
Fun question! Our stat counter thing says over 842,000 but that’s just since we changed our blog url a while back- so maybe over 950,000 for our entire blog all the way back through the archives? We should have a millionth comment prize or something. Haha.
xo,
s
Erin says
Woot! Looks great, you guys!
I didn’t want to say anything before, but those shrubs were really bugging me. :)
bachsbythebeach says
Wow, what a difference that makes! it looks great! We just had professional landscaping done(no way i was digging) and it makes such a difference! We are on a corner lot and needed some curb appeal.
emily @ the happy home says
ahhh, i love it! i’m curious to see how you finish off the carport into a garage– and add a big, happy garage door to make that side of the house pop. LOVE IT!
Hayley says
Oh SO much better, good job!
Reminds of when we moved to our new house when I was four, my Dad had to dig out some overgrown evergreens and they were infested with earwigs, bleeech! Still makes me squirm. Glad you didn’t have any major creepy crawlies!
YoungHouseLove says
Yuck!!! Your dad is brave.
xo,
s
Debbie @ Pink Texas Chick says
Looking good! You guys keep inspiring me to get off my scaredy-cat bum and work on my house. The hubs and I are still taking baby steps. :)
Carmel says
Wow – amazing how much of an impact taking those guys out made! Anything that lets your gorgeous yellow door shine is a great idea in my book! LOVE that bright cheery front door!
Amy says
Nah…put all the bushes back in.
Hehehaha.
John says
Amazing change! You must admit the porch is very narrow. Perhaps creating a shallow arc the width of the porch on the left side of the walk would present a welcoming gesture to the street. It could be planted in flowers.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, the porch is really narrow! Perhaps down the line we can extend it down the line and clearing stuff out for now makes is much less crowded!
xo,
s
Laura says
I love it! You can see the structure of your house sooo much better and it really lets the yellow door shine! I don’t think I noticed your porch much before but now it looks so inviting! Sometimes removing something instead of adding is the best thing to do! Nice work
Sassy Apple says
There’s nothing more satisfying than being able to see your hard work. Although DIYers such as yourselves get that all the time, while teachers like me…..well, not so much :) My husband completely renovated the porch of our 100 yr. old house (still a painted wood floor, but no-rot railing everywhere else), so we’ve moved the rose bush that came from his grandmother’s farm, cut out bushes, and I’m getting read to plant some fiber optic grass (low growing) and impatiens in our shady/part sun beds. Already have the traditional Boston ferns on either side of the front door. Good luck with all of your work.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks! And good luck with yours!
xo,
s
Ty Lee says
You two really know how to amp up the curb appeal! I forgot how overgrown your lot was when you first moved in! WOW!
But I don’t envy all that yard work. Even though a lot of people would consider it a bummer, my yard is tiny. But less yard = less work, and I have a nice view of a valley, river, trees (depending on how tall my neighbor’s house ends up, I might even have a mountain view), so I’m not missing out on nature.
Plus, I use an environmentally friendly (but abdominal muscle UN-friendly) push mower, and I’d have to be She-Hulk to mow a lawn like yours!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, sounds lovely! We used a push mower at our last house and still try to use it for the backyard of our lot (it’s flatter and smaller) but the front is a bit hillier in parts so it’s hard to use that guy to get it looking good!
xo,
s
Maggie Rose says
Last night I was mourning the loss of our backyard (we moved from a rental house to an apartment building at the end of last summer) for grilling, but this post was a nice reminder of the yard work and cost that we won’t have this summer ;) It looks great, but I’m kind of glad to postpone home and yard ownership for a FEW more years. In the meantime, I’m taking notes!
Kelsey says
WOW what a difference! Those bushes were blocking the view of your beautiful porch :)
Love all of the outdoor projects ya’ll have going on.
Athena says
I know it probably feels like you’ve only been able to do this huge project in baby steps, but the difference is really noticeable already. Keep on going, you two–you’re doing awesome!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks Athena!
xo,
s
rachael says
Your before and after pictures are amazing!!!! I’m loving all these landscaping posts because we bought our house 4 years ago and it had no gardens, so we had to put some in, but they’ve been trashed and driven on b/c of having the house insulated, the roof done, the siding redone, we had our old porch taken away by a bulldozer and then built a new one, and then the city workers drove on it b/c there was a problem with our water and had to dig a big hole. So we are totally tackling our yard this year and want to “feel the curb appeal”!!
PS. Centsational girl has a new blog on BHG and in one of her articles it shows a picture of your old den with burger!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, I love that old pic of Burger! Haha. Thanks for the tip! And good luck with your yard!
xo,
s
Amiz says
First off, I can’t get over the term “bush-groped”. That term is now in my vocabulary haha. I love it!
Back to the post though. What an AMAZING difference that made!! You guys are really coming along on your landscaping!! I’m loving it. Where did you end up relocating some of the bushes to?
PS. My family has a nickname for liriope. We call it “nature’s herpes”. No matter how much we try to get rid of it, it keeps coming back! My great grandparents passed 6 years ago and my cousin is living in it now and for 6 years we have been trying to get rid of that dang liriope, but it seems like it comes back again each spring!
YoungHouseLove says
We just planted any bushes we could in our side lot (which we showed in a previous post, it’s just this giant wild area full of weeds and grasses and trees and leaves that we hope will be more of a woodsy orchard/forest type place someday). Haha, and your liriope nickname is perfect!
xo,
s
Michelle says
Wow–great job! You may have just inspired me to tackle my own landscaping demons this weekend.
On a side note, is your front porch really as narrow as it looks in the photos?
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah, it’s pretty narrow- just wide enough for us to swing on the porch swing. Although we do have a nice wide patio for doing most other hanging-out stuff! Wish it were wider, but it does the trick for now!
xo,
s
Julie says
Wow, huge difference you guys, way to get on that! It looks about seven million times more welcoming and generous instead of cramped and squeezy. I think I am almost more impressed by these before and afters than some of the room redos! Now your first impressions fit the inside of the house :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks so much Julie!
xo,
s
heyruthie says
i’m in virginia, and have a front bed a lot like yours, and mind faces North (shade!) I’ve had some good luck with a really pretty, delicate yet hardy ground cover called Sweet Wodruff. i shoved a few sprigs into the ground last year, and this year it’s looking beautiful, and spreading beautifully. i like it better than the standard options: pachysandra, etc. it might work really well under your Magnolia, or in your naturalized area–i first discovered it in a local park (Nottaway in Vienna, if you know it!) growing wild.
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS384US385&sa=X&ei=KWaMT4bREanM2AX-vs3BCQ&ved=0CCgQvwUoAQ&q=sweet+woodruff&spell=1
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip! Sounds so pretty- we’ll have to check it out!
xo,
s
Heidi P. says
Ooh, I love sweet woodruff :)
heyruthie says
p.s. love the changes.
Christine says
Wow– what an amazing difference! Is it in the plans to someday expand the porch? I can totally see that. When I see that narrow strip along the porch, I think of planting some annuals, at least for this year. Like dwarf sunflowers maybe? They are about 2ft. tall and would match your door! So fun for Clara to plant maybe, and they’re cheap, and wouldn’t lock you in to any one sort of plant right now.
YoungHouseLove says
We wouldn’t mind expanding the porch someday, although we do have a nice big stone patio on the side of the house for doing anything that we can’t on the porch (we usually just sit on the bench and swing with Clara while dogs and people walk by). Thanks for the plant tips, always another possibility!
xo,
s
Julie says
I’m not sure if you’ve covered this before or not… but what kind of bark mulch do you use/recommend? We just had our front yard landscaped last week and had mulch delivered by a local company that stocks topsoil, mulch, and stone. Our landscaper recommended that we continue to buy from them and not purchase those “3 for $10 bags” of mulch from the big box stores since many contain mulch dye and CCA’s containing arsenic, chromium and copper.
YoungHouseLove says
Eeks! Never heard of the arsenic thing! We did look up what was in the dark mulch when someone said it might have chemicals and the site said they use a non-toxic natural dye much like food coloring (I can’t imagine they could call things like arsenic non-toxic!). We would love to get mulch delivered by a local company once we figure out how much we need (once we establish the beds we thought we could get a delivery each year for maintaining them when we have a better idea of the amount).
xo,
s
Susan says
Have you guys checked out Atlantic Growers in Providence Forge? http://www.atlanticgrowersllc.com/ Their website is hopelessly out of date, so call before you go for their hours. It’s a huge, huge greenhouse, so I would recommend going as soon as they open in the morning (unless you like to sweat). They have the best plants at the best prices. Seriously, maybe less than half the price you would pay at the big box stores, plus the owners Tom and Stephanie are so nice and helpful. Everything is in major bloom there right now — a veritable color explosion! And it’s kid- and dog-friendly, too :)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip! Will have to check them out!
xo,
s
Michelle says
You yard looks amazing! I always get a kick out of your before picture with the untrimmed tree totally blocking the view of the house. When we were looking at houses, I found one online that posted a similar picture. I kept wondering why they didn’t take the photo from a different angle because you only saw a tiny corner of the house with the tree blocking it all from the front! Maybe I’ve just watched too many DIY shows about curb appeal…
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it’s so true!
xo,
s
Diana says
This is a big improvement! Yard work sure is tiring, but the results are so worth it.
I am in the process of removing weeds and thickets to establish plants on two overgrown acres, slowly but surely. I wish we could find a deal for a local landscape consult like you did!
Kat says
I live in a 3 story 1950’s condo building. I think it’s cool but it’s very boxy and linear. The plants around the foundation are all green and so old and overgrown and bare in spots. They are probably from the 50s! I hate them. I want some softness and pretty colors and some rounded lines. I could probably convince the condo board to let me make some changes (I’m the Vice President) but I don’t have the funds or the young back and strong arms to accomplish what I want. I plan to at least plant a couple tomato plants in a planter this year to help fulfill my gardening dreams.
Your place is looking great! I love watching your progress. I’m amazed at all that you accomplished. But I guess when your job is home improvement things get done!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, exactly! When you have to DIY to pay the bills, the pressure is on. Haha.
xo,
s
donita says
What a big difference. Your porch looks so inviting! Have you ever grown viola’s? I think you can get them in pink and purple. I’m not positive if viola’s are supposed to come back every year, ours do though. Violas are very hardy an low to the ground, yet so pretty. Just a suggestion. ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Donita! We’ll have to check them out!
xo,
s
Mehgan says
Beautiful! My hubby and I spent all of last summer working on the front yard of our home, I totally hear you about the back-breaking work. Amazing how much different just pulling out/transplanting a few bushes, extending flowerbeds, and trimming trees makes.
I haven’t read other comments but one suggestion for a small plant along the front of your porch is creeping phlox, which is a small flowering plant that comes in tons of colors. They’re incredibly hardy! My parents were moving and gave us a bunch last fall, we didn’t think they would make it but they’re growing this year like crazy! And we live in Winchester, VA so our climate/soil should be pretty similar. Just a suggestion, they look gorgeous in the spring and grow like crazy, ours are twice the size just from last year. :)
YoungHouseLove says
We love Phlox! Such a fun idea!
xo,
s
donita says
Kindle auto correct SIGH!!!
Aubree says
We’ve been working on our wilderness too. We moved on at the end of last summer and spent the winter planning. Two days during spring break we pruned, sawed, hacked, dug, burned, planted and sweated. We know how much we accomplished but it doesn’t show so much- but at least we won’t have trees and bushes trying to flay us as we get around!
Now were trying to plan out our sprinkler system (dry Utah). The esimates we’re getting are coming in around $5,000 (eek).
Any ideas what things we could ask them if we could do to save a bit?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, maybe you could dig? Or clear stuff? Or connect the pipes yourself? Or at least fill stuff back in after they dig so they don’t have to do that? Not sure. Maybe google “how to install a sprinkler system” to see the steps and see what you’d feel comfortable doing?
xo,
s
Britta says
It looks great- I think that has made the biggest difference so far to your curb appeal!
Heidi P. says
(what house?) – haha so funny.
What a difference! Way to go!
Just fyi, all perennials will spread like mad (liriope is a perennial, which is why you had it everywhere). I’d suggest hyacinth, tulips, or some other bulb, or a tender perennial like fuschias or begonias or impatiens (just protect them from freezing in the winter).
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip Heidi!
xo,
s
Larissa says
What an improvement!!!
I’m so lazy I wouldn’t plant anything in that space right in front of the porch. I would put some ivy or wandering jew or something in pots on the porch and let them hang over. Or just gravel the whole thing. I have full confidence that you guys are going to do something wonderful and not lazy, though.
Selena says
It’s looking great! I love the open feeling you created by moving the big plants. You guys think of everything so perhaps you’re considering… have you thought of repositioning (I know it’s tons of sweat and lots of Clara naps :) the pavers to create a wee bit of curve? Our home’s exterior is similar to yours and I was going for the straight/no frills/lets get it done approach when the concrete guys were here forming our walk and my sister-in-law came running inside and said, “You’re not gonna let them pour this thing plumb straight, are you?” Well, I was thinking… aren’t they usually? Oh no. She wasn’t having that. She went out and artfully drug those forms into the prettiest little curve you ever did see and I love it and her! Keep up the good work! The amount of progress you’ve made since moving is amazing.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we would love to do that someday! The landscape expert recommended that, so we think perhaps down the line we can give it a try when we have more of the side yard and back yard under control!
xo,
s
Emily says
Have you considered expanding the path or creating a small stone patio in front of your porch? Perhaps curving it a little to add some softer angles in front?
YoungHouseLove says
Would love to do something like that down the line! Maybe in a few years when we have more of the yard tamed (like the side and the back!).
xo,
s
Kelli says
I think I heard the Hallelujah Chorus when I scrolled down to the after shots. Way to go!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, thanks Kelly!
xo,
s
Rachel @ Common to Moms says
Wow! The exterior is looking SO much better. It kind of makes you wonder what the previous owners were thinking… Privacy I guess? To each his own… but wow- you all are adding some definite curb appeal! It looks great:)
Lindsey says
WOW!!!! It looks great! You just motivated me to get up and go plant the rest flowers I have waitng for me outside.
We just finished gutting our front flower bed and laying sod down. You can see it all on my blog here:
http://timlinzrowland.blogspot.com/2012/04/yard-work.html
YoungHouseLove says
Looks awesome Lindsey! Love the fire pit!
xo,
s
ashlee says
where do you live again? it never seems to get cold and winterish :) i’m totally envious.
YoungHouseLove says
We live in Richmond, VA. It does get a little cold (sometimes we get one or two light snows a year) but it’s so much greener than my childhood in NY/NJ!
xo,
s