Somehow we always find ourselves rushing to accomplish something each autumn. One year it was trying to sell our first house before the leaves fell (along with our curb appeal). Last year it was cramming things in before setting off on our book tour. And this year it has been trying to grow grass in our sad excuse for a front yard.
I know, I know – landscaping posts aren’t always that exciting. I know I’m weird for browsing fasttreeremovalatlanta.com so much. But we’ve crammed about two months worth of progress into one post in the hopes of making it a bit more satisfying than “hey, we threw down some grass seed. Doesn’t it look… seedy?”
The shot above is actually from this summer, right before we asked a landscaper who was working a couple of doors down to level out some ground stump piles leftover from having a few trees removed (more on that in this post). That quick leveling job set us back a mere $60 and gave us a grass-seed-ready front yard. Or so we thought. The only issue with that one area of leveling is that it revealed that the rest of the yard wasn’t well graded at all (those freshly flattened spots were surrounded on almost every side by low points that collected water during every rain). So we had to accept that our yard wasn’t as ready for seeding as we had originally thought. Le sigh.
We contemplated just dumping a few bags of topsoil down and calling it good, but we (well, mostly I) kept having the nagging thought that it was going to annoy me for years to come if we didn’t just do it right the first time. I eventually got Sherry on board with the idea of having some dirt delivered and getting the whole area properly graded, something we acknowledged was a possibility in this post, but were still a little reluctant to dive into until we saw how bad the yard was after a heavy rain.
So we decided to just pull the trigger and do it right once instead of working to establish a lush yet bumpy grass yard that we’d later need to redo. Yay, right? Except we couldn’t find anyone who was available to do it. It was late September by this point and every landscaper and dirt delivery service seemed to be booked up already (we called at least ten people – even some folks from a few towns over). We had all but given up on the entire idea when, by some miracle, the original landscape guy (Steve) who did that quick little flattening session called to say that he could squeeze us in that weekend. Huzzah! And then a miscommunication got us pushed off to the following weekend. Urgh! And then a week of heavy rains bumped us back another weekend. Double urgh! So it wasn’t until the Bowers visited in mid-October that they finally arrived and we all gathered outside to watch the main dirt-centric event.
Steve assessed how much topsoil we’d need based on the size of of our yard and how much grading was necessary to leave us with something nice and flat (no more swampy low points). This was just one of two heaping truckloads that we got. Yes, there were about five car-sized dirt piles.
With that much dirt, there was no way Sherry and I would be able to get things done with a wheelbarrow and a rake, so we let Steve the landscaping guy go for it instead.
This is the part the kids enjoyed watching the most – although Clara played shy and hid behind the railing for a good portion of it.
Steve had suggested that we mark off what would become mulch beds so that we didn’t waste dirt (oh the precious dirt!) in areas that wouldn’t be getting grass. So a few days before, Sherry and I used a hose to plan out some curvy beds around some of the tree groupings. A hose is nice to use because you can bend it and move it around until you like the shape, and then when you like the look of things, you can trace its shape with some marking spray to outline those future beds. We won’t actually mulch them ’til spring, so this is the last we’ll speak of them until then most likely. Shhh, these are the mulch beds that shall not be named.
By early afternoon, the yard was looking gorgeous. Okay, I realize a bunch of dirt doesn’t really deserve the g-word, but it was really exciting to see the whole area smoothed out and no longer spotted with erratic splotches of moss, weeds, and mud (that dry looking area between the two trees is going to be a mulch bed, where we’ll add more plantings someday). Rain was in the forecast for that afternoon, so Steve recommended that we get the grass seed down ASAP so that it could sink into the fluffy topsoil before the precipitation matted it down into more solid dirt (that’s less ideal for growing grass since you want the dirt to be soft when the seed takes root instead of compressed and rock hard). You can see a single track mark from our broadcast spreader when I was just starting to put down some grass seed in this photo below:
One of the reasons that we got so much dirt delivered was because we wanted to take care of this area that we affectionately call The Wetlands in the backyard. I know it looks like seed-ready dirt from this angle, but it was suuuuuper unlevel. It basically turned into an 8″ swamp after every rain (there was about a 12″ drop from the walkway to the area in the middle of this dirt-hole).
Here it is with lots of dirt filling in that entire gulley (after I had spread the grass seed).
And now, through the magic of the Internet, let’s fast forward about three weeks when I snapped this photo of things starting to come in.
About a week later it’s even more filled in (this shot was taken a few days ago). We got a much later start on this whole seeding thing than we had hoped, so we feared we might’ve missed the boat entirely, but it has slowly been doing its thing. Phew.
In our past experience (our first house had an all mulch front yard that we seeded from scratch), we’d never gotten thick coverage after just one season of seeding. So while it should still get even more filled in than what we have now, we’re planning to overseed next spring (and maybe again in the fall) to finally get a lush lawn back there. As for our tips for seeding, now that we’ve done it a few times, we like to use a broadcast spreader to drop the seed and then we just water it everyday for around 15 minutes with a broadcast sprinkler to establish it (we like to do it in the early morning when we wake up, just so we remember).
You might also notice a few more evergreen shrubs appearing in that “Progress” shot above. They’re our first step in trying to reclaim a bit more privacy back there – especially in the winter once the trees are bare. When we bought this house we knew we’d have to add some more evergreen trees to block the view of some other houses through those woods, so we told ourselves that each fall we’re going to buy a few good screening trees and shrubs in the hopes that we’ll eventually have year-round privacy when they all fill in.
These are from a local nursery (Great Big Greenhouse, for any locals who are wondering) and we just met with one of their all-knowing garden guys who recommended them for us based on our criteria: evergreen, deer-resistant, partial shade, and size (they’re all eventually supposed to grow somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 ft x 10 ft to create fence-like privacy when it’s all said and done). You can’t tell in this photo, but they’re staggered by about 6′ (they’re not all in the same line, so they should overlap in front of or behind each other instead of smashing into each other as they grow.
They were having a fall perennial sale so we scored them for 40% off and delivery was only $25. They also come with a one year warranty, so we’re hopeful that we can keep them alive, but it’s nice to know that we can return anything that doesn’t make it and grab something else that might work better. So far, so good, though. Oh and the wax myrtle is a native plant (we love working those in whenever we can) and it smells really good, so we hope to add more of them around the rest of the backyard as we continue screening things over time.
As for our planting tips, we’ve had luck digging holes that are twice as wide as each plant’s root ball, but only as deep as the root ball itself (sinking a tree too low in a hole is one of the ways you can really mess things up for it down the line). Digging in those big Nellie Stevens was no joke (it’s hard to tell from these photos, but they’re each about 7′ tall) but once you get them in the ground, just remembering to water them seems to be all they need to do well.
But back to grass. And back to the front yard. Here’s what it looked like this summer…
…and here’s what it’s looking like now!
Like the backyard, it’s not fully grown in yet – but things are looking waaaay better out there. The pictures really don’t do justice to those mounds and valleys in the before shots, but it’s so much flatter and more mower-friendly now, which is a huge relief – especially since we don’t have any more little swampy spots after a big rain.
Those giant loads of topsoil were $750 and the grading was $250, which is certainly more than I ever pictured myself spending on dirt (and the main reason that Sherry had trouble getting on board with the plan). But having seen the difference it made (and will continue to make) in our efforts to liven up this home’s exterior, we’re both convinced it was money well spent. Now if only there weren’t a bazillion leaves falling on the lawn every two seconds. Don’t these trees know our baby grass blades need sunlight? C’mon!
Is anyone else doing any major front and back grading or seeding? How thrilling is it to see those little green sprouts poking out of the dirt? It never gets old.
Psst- Sherry’s chatting about the bun and her pregnancy over on Young House Life.
Victoria says
I think you totally did the right thing. As you have pointed out sometimes it just pays to have a professional do the task. Money well spent. It looks great and will look even better in time.
I’m glad to have the budget info because I am going to have to do this eventually in my back yard in Florida or remove the grass all together and put in a large patio. Haven’t decided yet. Either way I think I will have to have a professional do the grading. I never realized how expensive dirt is either. Good to know. Now it’s save, save, save for that backyard project.
Sending good vibes to your baby lawn.
Emily @ DavenportDIY says
This looks so good- I think it’s money well spent! Our backyard needs some similar help, but we have dogs, and I’m not sure how to keep them off the dirt/seeds while they grow. We are thinking about just mulching the entire thing and calling it a day! Can I just photoshop your grass onto my backyard?!? haha
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! That would be the instant gratification that I know and love!
xo
s
Shannon says
Pshh-posh, landscape posts aren’t exciting. I absolutely love them! I’m in desperate need of some lawn advice, so I live for your tidbits of wisdom when it comes to landscaping and lawn care. I have crazy clover that’s taken over my lawn and I have no idea how to get rid of it. It’s also a little different here in the south with all the heat killing things every time I try to get something started. I love these posts, keep them coming.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Shannon!
-John
Alison Martin says
Hello!! This post is soooo timely! My husband and I are about to embark on a seeding project as well. I had a couple of questions and apologize in advance if these have already been answered. (1) Would you mind sharing an estimate of how much it cost for the dirt and leveling? (2) Did you all not till up the ground because yall were adding a new layer of top soil? We were just planning on tilling and adding some dirt, but Im wondering if we need to consider the whole leveling thing. I’d prefer not to because we just finished a professional landscaping project on the other side of our yard and dont have the $$$ for it right now. Thoughts?
As always…thank you!!!
YoungHouseLove says
If you check out the paragraph above the last photo in this post, we included the cost of the dirt and leveling for ya. Hope it helps! As for not tilling, since we were having new dirt added on top of everything we didn’t need to till since dumping and spreading a layer of new dirt essentially creates a new foundation for the seed. Although killing the old grass and weeds underneath it all helped to prep our yard for the dirt/seed as well (we shared some tips for doing that earlier in the comments if that helps). Good luck, Alison!
xo
s
Kelly K says
I happen to love the landscaping posts!
My husband and I have been in our first house for about 2 1/2 years now, and we are so overwhelmed by the size of our yard – it’s almost an acre (a good problem to have, I know) – we end up doing nothing. When we first moved in, my well-meaning parents paid to have a landscape architect come out and draw up an amazing plan, but it’s SO amazing, we don’t know where to start! I love reading about what you guys are doing because your projects are usually accessible to beginners like us and, well, you just make everything seem more doable!
Oh, and I can definitely relate to the way Sherry feels! It’s just so much more satisfying – or more instantly gratifying, I should say – to put your money into improvements inside your home. The first step we really need to take, if we’re going to do it right, is hire a crew to come in with soil amendment and work it into all of this rock-hard Georgia clay we have. Who wants to write the check for that bill? Not this gal!
katrina says
my yard is taken over by crabgrass which turned brown….not sure what to do now! I have a green thumb for gardening but not with crabgrass!
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone have crabgrass tips for Katrina?
xo
s
katrina says
maybe aerating and overseeding or powerseeding will crowd out the crabgrass!
Jillian@TheHumbleGourmet says
It looks fantastic, but good lord you have a huge front yard! I really don’t envy John for all the mowing in the spring and summer. ;-)
Betty says
Are you considering a mass planting for the beds? Suggest limelight hydrangea. Very classy you won’t be disappointed.
YoungHouseLove says
I wish! We had one (from John’s mom as a moving present) but the deer ate it. So sad!
xo
s
Melissa says
I SO appreciate this blog. We had some horrible grass problems. We hired a big name company to help us out this summer with deweeding and they FRIED our front yard. I mean, FRIED, and they did it without about two weeks to spare before we had our entire family here for our WEDDING. Yeah, there was no bringing the grass back. I freaked out and literally painted it with grass paint. Yes, I painted our yard.
It didn’t look that great. BUT, we since hired an expert and now have a full, healthy GREEN lawn; however, i was a little crazy come trick or treating and cutting across kiddos. We were also TERRIFIED of mowing it the first time. TERRIFIED, I tell you.
YoungHouseLove says
OH NO! I’m so sorry Melissa! That’s so sad. I’m glad it came back and now you have a green healthy lawn.
xo
s
Angela says
Maybe Privit varieties vary – I have a variegated shrub in the corner of my back yard that I LOVE. No berries on it and no volunteers popping up.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Angela! I hope when we call they’ll say “that species in our area is cool” – otherwise I’ll be out there digging! Haha!
xo
s
Rachel says
My parents have 2 in beds in their front yard also and I love them! They have really nice light green/almost yellow leaves and don’t have berries either. They definitely grow like crazy, but they have other shrubs in those beds and they haven’t crowded anything out or spread at all.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Rachel!
xo
s
Michele A. says
Watching the same thing happen at my house!! We had our old yards completely removed, leveled and seeded a few weeks ago. The front is looking great with only a few weeds and a couple of bald spots but the backyard is struggling. Had to call the gardener out to weed and feed that mess so I can have nice thick grass (not weeds) come the spring!
Good luck!!!
Audrey says
We need to do the same thing with our front and back yard. I’d love Steve’s info to call and get a quote (we’re local). We couldn’t bite the bullet this fall (after having 20 trees removed from our new property). I can’t wait for Spring to actually have a front yard for the kids to run around in and not step in big holes from erosion!
YoungHouseLove says
His name is Steve and he works for Green Side up. His number is 804-380-9807.
xo
s
Andrea says
Thanks for the outdoor tips! We are brand new homeowners, and this is our first fall in our new house. We have a great backyard that was landscaped nicely by the previous owners. We are hoping to care for their hard work. We have a huge Box Alder tree in our backyard that dropped a gazillon leaves. We were debating leaving the downed leaves in the landscaped/mulched areas during the winter or raking them out now to make our jobs easier come spring. We looked around online and there seemed to be a lot of conflicting advice on that topic. What is your strategy?
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, we don’t have any experience with Box Alder trees, but I’d lean towards clearing the leaves if you want grass under them, but leaving them if you’re mulching under it. Anyone have tips for Andrea?
xo
s
fellow richmonder says
Andrea, the first fall in your first house is so exciting! What I do is rake the leaves into a pile, then run my lawn mower over ’em til they get chopped up. That way, they act as a natural mulch under my trees without the big leaf piles that can blow back onto the lawn. (I have beds under my trees, not grass.) You don’t need a special mower, either! Leaf mold is rich with nutrients for your soil. Good luck!
dkl says
I am so glad you made the investment in dirt and proper grading! Kind of like a roof, its not sexy but absolutely necessary. It will pay back ten fold.
Margaret R says
It looks great! I do however remember my neighbor’s son laughing hysterically and repeatedly saying “you bought dirt, you paid money for dirt!” to his parents. Too funny to a 10 year old.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! And so true!
xo
s
Heather says
It looks grest! We planted grass seed this spring and fall too. I know when they say “it’s like watching grass grow” they are usually reffering to something extreamly boring. But I found it real exciting when some green blades started popping up! ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Ha! That’s so true!
xo
s
Liz says
Money well spent, in my opinion! The grading made a huge difference, and you’ll thank yourselves next spring when the lawn is all lush and filled in!
Kristen says
Just came to check out the second post of the day, saw the update, then cried a thousand tears. …..but! I can’t wait to see the showhouse someday so I guess I can move past it…haha :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, thanks for understanding Kristen! We’re so excited to be moving from the planning phase of the showhouse to the doing stage, so we’ll have a lot more to show you as we go (picking finishes and materials and paint colors, shopping for furniture and appliances, creating some fun DIYed elements, and filling the house up with lurve, baby).
xo
s
Michelle says
Hey all!
Looking great! Amazing how some fundamental elements like dirt and grass can make a house look better!
Beware of the pivet though! That stuff will take over in no time! While it certainly will create a visual barrier, it will also compete with any nearby vegetation and likely win the battle.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Michelle! A few others have warned us so we’re going to call the nursery to see what they recommend. If it sounds like it’ll be high maintenance we’ll dig it up and exchange it!
xo
s
Kate says
That new yard is just screaming for a croquet match! Okay, maybe after the grass gets a little bit more mature. But still, perfect court!
Hope the nausea flip switches soon, Shari!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Kate!
xo
s
Molly S. says
Well I can’t say I’m not a little bummed that there’s not an afternoon post (it’s always a great way to finish out my work-day) but I completely understand. I think I’ll live! Can’t wait for more updates on the showhouse!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Molly! We’re so excited to finally be in the BUILDING stage, and we’re having a ton of meetings and running around and picking finishes and materials so we owe you guys a huge update when we make a few more decisions and get photos of everything all uploaded and sorted!
xo
s
Heather says
Can Steve the landscaper take a trip down to Atlanta and work on my yard? Not only has our grass died from the lack of sun (sellers planted a full sun grass) but the backyard is a total tripping hazard.
Everything looks great so far!
YoungHouseLove says
We’ll have to see if Steve’s up for a road trip! Haha!
xo
s
MaryB says
We have a wooded lot and have been working at blocking winter sightlines for 17 years now. I would recommend cryptomeria (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/trees-new/cryptomeria_japonica.html) and holly to add to your collection. The cryptomeria is really elegant and doesn’t get really enormous like a Leland would. It also has a drapey aspect like a hemlock would. They’ve gotten to about 15′ in full shade and are about 6 feet wide and that’s where we’ve been for about 10 years. I haven’t really pruned them other than removing low branches that sweep the ground. As for the hollies, they require a little pruning every few years at first, but nothing later. My 7 year old daughter loves to climb up inside hollies! Most of our other trees are 80-100 feet tall, so she has to climb what she can. By the way we’re in Maryland, so probably similar trees are available near you.
Good luck – it looks really great!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip Mary!
xo
s
Lynn @ Our Useful Hands says
I bet it’s a great running around space for Clara nowadays. Since we have a big yard we split the task – I get the front, mostly because it’s wide open and I’m less likely to run into bugs and Michael gets the back. Although now I’m so on board with getting a riding mower. I’m not in my 20’s anymore and I am finding that I have to adjust the way I get my exercise in now. (quiet sobbing…) ;o) But yeah, long story short, I like your grass!
My best, Lynn
MaryB says
Let me amend my previous post. The link goes to the full-size cultivar of this tree. Ours are dwarf versions, but I can’t remember the name. I will look it up and post again later.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks MaryB!
xo
s
val says
Can you please post an update about what the garden center says about the privet? You guys do such a good job of educating people and setting a good example, and I think it will be really educational. As an avid gardener, I am often surprised at what garden centers sell–English ivy being the worst example. I don’t think there is really nay oversight, so it is completely up to consumers, and that’s quite a burden. It’s not about the size of the privet, it’s that once it sets fruit, birds spread it everywhere. It may also send up suckers, depending on the species.
It’s great you are so responsive to your readers and really have a conversation. The lawn looks fab by the way!
YoungHouseLove says
Will do! We have a bunch of afternoon meetings today but we hope to chat with them either this evening if they’re still open or give them a call in the morning!
xo
s
Mary says
Just a suggestion–instead of waiting to mulch until spring, you might chop up some of your leaves with the lawnmower and lay it down on the beds to be this fall. It will help to block the weeds and improve the soil. I do that every fall (more accurately, I make my husband do it every fall) and our soil is hugely improved. Also, if you’re trying to get rid of a lot of grass/weeds to start a new bed, putting down a layer of old newpapers with mulch or shredded leaves on top in the fall will mean a planting-ready bed by spring. I’m slowly getting rid of some of our lawn to add flower/shrub beds and have done that in some big areas with really good results.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip! Thanks so much Mary!
xo
s
Ashlea says
With a dog running around in our yard, lawn seed was not going to work. So we laid buffalo turf and it has taken so well. There is nothing better than a before and after shot of lifeless dirt and green lush lawn! Looking great so far! Can’t wait to see more :)
YoungHouseLove says
So glad it took well! I love the idea of instant gratification like that! Color me jealous!
xo
s
fellow richmonder says
I guess I wasn’t the only one who waited to overseed their lawn! I don’t know about you, but it’s boooorrrinng watering every day…but ya gotta do it or the seed goes to waste, right? Now I see why my neighbor has irrigation…I don’t see him out moving hoses & sprinklers. At least it’s paid off & my little seedlings are coming up through the fall leaves.
YoungHouseLove says
Totally! Whenever we’re seeding we’re so jealous of our neighbors with irrigation systems!
xo
s
Misty says
Yet another reason I need to move to Virginia, the yards! If you have ever spent any time here in Florida you know the grass is NOT friendly. It’s hard, plush and usually filled with some kind of weird bug or fire ants. We spent $1500 on laying sod 3 years ago and this past summer it all died. No idea what happened. I was looking at my backyard today in sadness and was thinking of hiring a team to come in and redo it plus help me design some landscaping. Who does one call to do that kind of thing?
I love everything you guys have done so far! Looks so great!
Sorry if this submits more than once, my internet went out as I hit submit and of course I’m impatient and hit refresh a few times!
Eileen says
Years ago, my neighbor commented on the dirt I had bought for our back yard. He said, “when you pay that much for it, don’t call it dirt, it is soil.”
Doesn’t that sound so much more worth the investment?
You’re house looks fabulous.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha! It’s true! Buying soil sounds a lot smarter than buying dirt!
xo
s
janetl says
Landscaping is one of those projects that (at least imo) it makes sense to just spend the money up front. This looks great!
Elisa says
So glad you guys posted this! I have the exact plan for our yard, but yeah, paying for dirt hurts. Maybe next fall. Only question – did you just cover the weeds with the dirt or attempt to kill them first? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
You can sort of see in the picture of Katie Bower and Clara on the porch that the grass that we were going over with dirt was dead (see how yellow it is). We killed it (along with any weeds in those areas) just so that when the dirt went down and was graded it was a fresh start. You can kill grass by laying cardboard or newspapers on top of it for a while or even old blankets/sheets with rocks on the ends of them. Or with sprays and stuff like that too.
xo
s
Cassie says
Sherrrrry! I was cruising bradsdeals.com and found these Jonathan Adler salt and pepper shakers for 50% off at Nordstrom. J. Adler + ceramic animal with a purpose FTW!!!!!!
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/jonathan-adler-pig-salt-pepper-shakers/3281341?origin=category-personalizedsort&contextualcategoryid=0&fashionColor=&resultback=6897&cm_sp=personalizedsort-_-browseresults-_-1_18_D&siteId=RvEiSnI7NyY-Ydrdw6UMtXeKpJ4zGG8F3w
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much Cassie! So cute!
xo
s
alex says
Is it just me… looking at those photos of the guy zooming around on the equipment, makes me want to quit my IT desk job and learn to be a dirt mover…it’s just me, isn’t it…
YoungHouseLove says
No way it’s not just you. It looked like so much fun we all were jealous it wasn’t us out there! Ha!
xo
s
monika says
Sherdog, a rare sighting of your hair down! I didn’t realize it might be you seeing how your hair is up all the time. Mine too… in a bun or something of the kind.
YoungHouseLove says
So funny! That’s actually Katie Bower’s back in that picture! My hair is still up all the time, which is especially convenient when I turn green and run to the bathroom…
xo
s
Emily @ Perfection Isn't Happy says
My husband and I recently bought our first house, and we’ve had to regrade our backyard so that water doesn’t go into our basement, and you’re right — dirt is so expensive! I wish that we could redo a larger portion of our yard (the former homeowners had dogs that tore up grass in the fenced-in portion), but for now, we’ll be leaving it uneven.
Sam M. | Atkinson Drive says
I’m so jealous of your yard! We built a house almost 2 years ago now, and having never owned a home, opted out of adding in the layer of topsoil before seeding…bad move! We’re still having trouble getting the back yard to come in nicely! Can’t wait to see the rest of your yard progress this Spring!
Kate Craig says
HUGE difference! Looks like it was worth it to me! And muddy yards are the worst for kids and dogs!
Jeff says
Landscaping posts aren’t boring! At least I don’t think so :) Such an important part of making a new home blend with the surroundings.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks Jeff!
-John
Bonnie says
Wow, it’s looking really good! This is one of those projects that you’re reluctant to spend the money on but it has such an impact. Doesn’t it make you feel like a grown-up making those decisions? Ha! You guys are doing great!
YoungHouseLove says
It’s true! When you pay for dirt it should be some sort of adult milestone. Ha!
xo
s
Lynne says
The work put in will reap dividends in the long run. I think you were right to follow your instinct about it nagging away at you forever if you had taken the easy option now. One thing that nags me, however, is your choice of privet as one of the screening bushes. Here in New Zealand it is a banned plant due to the high incidence of respiritory illness as a side effect of the allergens it produces, particularly for those predisposed i.e. asthmatics etc. Contact with the sap can also cause a nasty skin reaction too.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip Lynne! Some other folks have warned us about the privet too, so we are planning to call the landscaping guys at the nursery and ask them some questions. We’ll dig it up and exchange it if it sounds like this variety is annoying!
xo
s
Krissy says
Fall is pretty much over up here on the mountain. Yesterday it barely got into the 30s. So we’re not doing much of anything outside. Pops just bought a backhoe though, so we’re going to be busy in the spring! We’re putting in a driveway on our other property, so we’ll be digging up a lot of big rocks and smoothing out a lot of lumps.
Vicki says
We bought house that was about 4 yrs old several years ago and the builder apparently failed to add any decent dirt after grading the house for the foundation (a concrete slab w/o basement). Growing grass is the most difficult thing when there is only a hard clay base for the grass to root in.
We have a great company to take care of fertilizing and weed control but unless we add new top soil and maybe reseed our grass, in the backyard especially, is very thin and drought/weed-prone…
Walking bare-footed in a thick pad of healthy green grass…luxurious…
Brittany says
We did the same thing last fall! So I totally get the giddy excitement. The results are amazing! The best part is, it only gets better, and pretty soon you’ll only be commenting on having to mow the lawn then not having grass.
http://ourhomeplace.wordpress.com/2013/05/
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
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Tara says
Thanks so much y’all for posting this! We just bought our first home and I feel at a loss when I think about how to care for the yard. The previous owners did some great landscaping and right now I’m just trying to not accidentally kill it all. Any chance you guys might write more yard work-related posts (just the basics) that talk about what seasons are the best time for different yard tasks, etc.? You guys are always so helpful!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Tara! We always joke that we have kind of a black thumb (other than some good luck seeding grass now that this is our second yard to tackle from dirt/mulch and get it going) but we’d love to cover stuff as we learn about it (like future plantings for privacy, transplanting things or limbing things up, etc).
xo
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Alli says
Hi guys- your backyard is very similar to my parent’s house. They had the water issues, herds of deer, and no privacy. They did the beautiful evergreen trees and I can tell you, ten years later- it looks amazing and the deer love the cover underneath the branches when the snow and rain come. But my mom thought they could do more. I know you are working on your water issues but have you ever thought of pussywillows or bamboo as a privacy cover? They absorb water like crazy! So far the only bad thing we have noticed was an occasional need to transplant the “wild” ones. (It is easy peasy to do mind you.) And neither are appetizers for all their wildlife.
Please keep up the amazing work you do and thanks for sharing it with all of us. ~ Alli
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tips Alli! We’ll have to look into that!
xo
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Brooke @ Putter Home says
We planted 2 Nellie Stevens this fall also. Our greenhouse sold us this product called Myke (sp?) that you add to the root ball before planting. It give us a 5 year guarantee on the trees. It was around 10-15 per tree. Next time you buy trees ask about this product, its supposed to help the roots grow big and strong!
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds awesome! Thanks for the tip!
xo
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Joseph says
This is EXACTLY what I want to do to our front yard. My wife is hesitant to get on board with it as well, but maybe after seeing this post…
Of course we also have the driveway to deal with since it needs a new border and to be regraveled but we also have a much, much smaller front yard.